Laneway Housing approved by City Council

Posted inIn the News

Vancouver City Council approved a series of recommendations to expand access to laneway housing across the City of Vancouver. The recommendations deliver on a key EcoDensity action item unanimously approved by Council in June.
Laneway housing is generally a smaller house or cottage at the rear of the lot near the lane. The report approved today provides much more defined parameters of what laneway housing would be in the context of Vancouver single family areas. It covers close to 70,000 lots of varying sizes and shapes with a variety of existing houses and garage types.
The recommendations in the report include:

  • laneway housing to be permitted in all single family areas of the City
  • designated family or rental housing instead of strata
  • no reductions in backyard open space
  • maximum height of 1.5 stories
  • configurations that allow for one or two parking spaces
  • application of new green building standards for single family homes
  • separated storm & sanitary sewage connections
  • staff report back on progress after three years or after 100 projects – whichever comes first

Million bucks for cameras to keep eye on crooks

Posted inIn the News

Pilot project will train videocams on B.C. city streets
By Suzanne Fournier, Vancouver Province

B.C. Solicitor-General John van Dongen and Attorney-General Wally Oppal teamed up with two Metro Vancouver mayors Monday to announce a $1 million pilot project to use closed circuit television cameras to combat crime.
Van Dongen noted that although the provincial government is committed to add 950 police officers across the province, police can’t always be in the “right place at the right time to witness” and halt crime.
“Technologies such as CCTV can greatly assist the police and the prosecution in bringing offenders to jutice,” said van Dongen. “We believe CCTV can be an important tool in catching criminals and improving public safety.”

Mayor’s Communiqué: Clinton praises Green Vancouver; Recognition for Clr B.C. Lee

Posted inSam's Blog

In this edition:

  • President Bill Clinton recognizes Vancouver’s leadership on green building design
  • City Council Update – Preparing Vancouver for 2010
  • Groundbreaking Addiction Research in Vancouver
  • Councillor B.C. Lee
  • Dr. Jane Goodall coming to Vancouver

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Clr. B.C. Lee and Mayor Sullivan in 2008 parade to celebrate Lunar New Year

President Bill Clinton recognizes Vancouver’s leadership on green building design

Recently I had the honour of spending some time with former United States President Bill Clinton. He was in Vancouver to attend a conference about corporate social responsibility. President Clinton loves Vancouver.

I am pleased to report that during his presentation, he praised Vancouver’s leadership on developing stringent green building standards. Earlier this year, our Council passed the strongest green building design plan in North America in association with EcoDensity.

What do people like doing with their Sundays?

What do people like doing with their Sundays?

Posted inIn the News

By Cheryl Chan, The Province
In the twilight of his reign as mayor of Vancouver, Sam Sullivan tells The Province what Sundays have been like for him and wife Lynn Zanatta, and what he envisions for his post-mayoral Sundays. Hint: No speeches or ribbon-cutting, less handshaking, more hand-holding. You were elected mayor in 2005. What have Sundays been like?
Up until very recently, it was just constantly at events — three or four events — on Sundays. Lynn was married to the city, basically. She was completely focused I got everywhere I needed to get to. She loved it, too. But the reality of the last few years is that we go to events we were invited to. I give my mayoral speeches and cut my ribbons. Now that I’m winding down my mayoral roles, it’s quite nice. It’s a pleasure to be able to reconnect with Lynn. We’re actually spending time together and doing walks, reading, things like that. I’d still go to events on the weekends, but nothing as strenuous as before. Where do you and Lynn go for walks?

City of Vancouver unveils 24-hour phone information system

Posted inIn the News

By Christina Montgomery, Vancouver Province
It will affect you on a daily basis. It will revolutionize your relations with City Hall.
It may even get that pothole in front of your apartment fixed a little faster.
That was the sales job as businessmen from the downtown core gathered Tuesday to hear what they could expect from the city’s new $13-million “311” phone system.