The story of how Vancouver has changed is a very sad story: Reader

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Re: Douglas Todd ‘Surviving’ Vancouver, in more ways than one.

I am not a Vancouver native, but my spouse was born in East Vancouver in 1950 and lived in the city exclusively for 30 more years. Todd’s article on Michael Kluckner’s views on how much Vancouver has changed in the last few decades was interesting but also a very sad story.

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It would take a couple more pages to include other key elements that have also played a role apart from the “offshore income” group, i.e. the disregard for heritage and history represented in unique period architecture, the lack of respect for neighborhoods with charm and character, rubber stamp approvals for bland high-rise developments, zoning changes to allow single-family homes to convert to Airbnb status, eliminating a much-needed rental market.

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So many people have dropped the ball in so many ways for so long. The tendency to report these problems and try to mitigate the damage will likely cause even more damage.

Urban planners will never be able to reverse things and recover what has been lost. We are left with photographs and watercolors.

You can bet that nostalgia for what once was will turn into all kinds of business opportunities, as money has always seemed to be at the heart of the matter.

Pity.

G. Holden, Ladner

Beloved Steveston character to be destroyed by massive zoning proposal

Re: Todd: Will BC Upzoning ‘Destroy’ Metro’s ‘Best Neighborhood’ Steveston?
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Yes, Steveston’s beloved character will be destroyed by the massive rezoning proposal. We, in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood of Vancouver, face the same indignity. Between Broadway, 12th Avenue and Yukon and Main Streets we have more than 50 properties on the Heritage Register, 19 of them designated as heritage buildings.

In this historic neighborhood, Havn Developments Ltd. wants to build an 18-story tower. This would completely destroy the heritage integrity of the community. It is completely unacceptable to everyone who lives here.

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My family and I have been working since 1973 to restore a number of Victorian and Edwardian houses which are now listed heritage buildings. To think that an 18-story tower is an appropriate addition to this environment is an insult to a lifetime of effort by many people to create something the city should value and protect.

If we do not oppose it with weapons, we will witness the destruction of Steveston, Mount Pleasant and many other neighborhoods.

John Davis, Vancouver

Re: Dan Fumano: Vancouver spends more on police but cuts civilian oversight

I suggest looking at the other independent municipal police boards as well. Unless there have been significant changes since I served on a police board, there are very few salary stipends for board members.

At the time it seemed to me that boards that received stipends and had expense accounts were spending money that was not necessary, since work as a police board member could be done on a voluntary basis with reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses. bills.

Those who chose to receive stipends evolved to adopt the belief that the work deserved significant remuneration, adding considerable expense to the board’s operations. Boards have important roles, primarily setting policy and holding management accountable.

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Daily operations are the responsibility of the police chief and administration.

Being a member of the board of directors does not have to be lucrative.

Of course, I have seen the same evolution with city councils. There was a time when being a councilor was considered community service and stipends were small. Over time, the position has evolved into a full-time job with significant compensation, including benefits and pensions.

However, cities are managed by professionals.

In my opinion, full-time councilors are not necessary.

It seems that we, the taxpayers, are being forced to pay for an ever-increasing layer of governance that I believe is unnecessary.

Tarry Grieve, Port Moody

Re: Fumano: Vancouver developers color outside the lines by advancing ‘non-conforming’ projects

Thanks for the article about 121-129 West 11th Ave., which draws attention to the city trying to turn this building into a neighborhood of charming homes. Why choose this plot for an 18-story building? Why not keep these buildings on the main arteries where they belong?

Other developments in this area have been in accordance with development zoning guidelines already in place. Why should this developer receive a special zoning change?

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Also, will the city council listen to the people who live in this neighborhood? I wonder why they don’t give us a place to express our concerns. Maybe they don’t care; It seems certain that they don’t care.

L. Boucher

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