Vancouver Council Approves Rezoning for East Side Apartment

The Vancouver City Council has approved a rezoning initiative that will transform a section of land previously used as a basketball court at Sir Sandford Fleming Elementary School into an apartment building. This decision, made during a council meeting on Thursday evening, aims to address the growing demand for housing in East Vancouver.

During the public hearing, various stakeholders voiced their opinions on the rezoning. Among them was former student Ishaan Lal, who expressed concerns regarding the loss of green space for the school’s approximately 400 students. He highlighted the current lack of adequate recreational space, stating, “I believe we deserve something better, something greener. Fleming does not have a real field. There’s no grass to run on. No soft place to fall.”

99-year lease terms play a significant role in this development. The land, owned by the Vancouver School Board, has been leased to Vittori Lanark Holdings Ltd. for $8.5 million over a period of 99 years. This decision was part of an engagement and disposition process led by the school board, aimed at balancing educational needs with urban development.

Heman Mehta, chair of the Fleming District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) and a parent of students at the school, criticized both the school board and the city council for their decision. He emphasized the importance of accommodating future growth, stating, “Where are all these kids going to fit? It’s not a matter of 99 years. We’re actually talking about the next generation.” Mehta further noted that if the school exceeds its capacity, the only available option for additional classrooms would be to place portable structures on the gravel field, which would negatively impact outdoor activities for students.

In response to the pressing housing crisis, Vittori Developments plans to construct a six-storey, mixed-use apartment building that will include 20 percent of its units designated as below-market housing. During the public hearing, ABC Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung acknowledged the community’s concerns but emphasized the pressing need for more housing. “We have a low vacancy rate in the city as a whole,” she stated, mentioning that the situation is particularly acute in the neighborhood surrounding the school.

The vote to approve the rezoning saw some council members absent, including Mayor Ken Sim and Coun. Pete Fry. Councillors Sean Orr and Lucy Maloney opposed the rezoning. Maloney articulated her concerns about the long-term implications of reducing public open space, stating, “We know that we’re going to be having more people move into this neighbourhood. We’re going to need to preserve that public open space. It’s another short-term decision where we don’t know the long-term consequences.”

The council’s decision comes at a time when Vancouver is grappling with a severe housing shortage. The transformation of the school land is indicative of the broader struggle to balance urban development with the needs of existing communities, particularly those involving educational institutions. As the city continues to grow, the impact of such decisions will undoubtedly shape the landscape of East Vancouver for generations to come.