Son of STIR rising at Vancouver City Hall
(This article by Elizabeth Murphy was published in the Straight online on May 15, 2012.)
Two related controversial reports are to be considered by Vancouver city council today: the Secured Market Rental Housing Policy and the 1401 Comox Street rezoning. Both should be referred back to staff for public consultation and amendments.
The Secured Market Rental Housing Policy—or the Son of STIR—is a new program which would replace the recently cancelled Short Term Incentives for Rentals Program (STIR). There has been no public consultation on this policy.
However, unlike its predecessor STIR, the new policy will not be a temporary stimulus program, but will be a permanent program that is eventually written into a number of zoning bylaws affecting neighbourhoods citywide. It includes broad discretionary power to be given the director of planning. Large increases in density could be allowed without requiring rezoning.
Read the full article online here.
