Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan and Councillor Suzanne Anton today announced their intention to support the revised “EcoDensity Charter and Initial Actions” next week at City Council. The report reflects input from Vancouver residents through an extensive two year public consultation program.
EcoDensity is a plan for high quality density that provides Vancouver with an opportunity to improve the environment and our region’s quality of life. High quality density is:
- green design
- more amenities
- more affordable
- strategically located
- properly implemented
Mayor Sullivan and Councillor Anton also launched the next phase of the EcoDensity consultation with a special on-line survey at www.samsullivan.ca regarding the implementation of the plan.
Backgrounder
Charter, Initial Actions & On-Line Survey
EcoDensity – Charter
The EcoDensity Charter builds on Vancouver’s reputation as an international leader in urban planning and sustainable development. Among other things it:
- establishes environmental sustainability as a primary goal in ALL city-building decisions
- commits to more housing affordability, types & choices
- entrenches commitment to quality community amenities
- facilitates ongoing public consultation
EcoDensity – Initial Actions
The report City Council will review next week includes a list of 17 action items. These include:
- green rezoning policies for large sites & buildings
- new options for backyard laneway housing & arterial mid-rise housing
- more options for secondary suites within buildings
- review of density and height restrictions in Gastown, Chinatown & Hastings districts
- removal of disincentives for green design
- green demonstration project on city land
- development along transit corridors & permit priority for green projects
- new city amenity strategy – including establishment of more community gathering places
- provisions to further enable the use of district energy
- measurement tools & plan for ongoing consultation
EcoDensity – On-Line Implementation Survey
Mayor Sullivan has made a commitment to using technology as a tool to gather ideas from local residents on important local issues. Close to 5,000 people participated in surveys on addressing homelessness and completing the rapid transit line from Commercial Drive to UBC.
The on-line EcoDensity survey will help guide our efforts to implement the plan if it is approved by Council this month. The survey will include:
- more than 25 specific questions
- Facebook dialogue
- You Tube video demonstration
- general comments section
- links to EcoDensity Charter & Action Items
To complete the survey and access the Facebook contact www.samsullivan.ca. The deadline for submissions is June 15, 2008. Results will be posted shortly after.
