Big interest in Little Mountain redevelopment plan
Posted January 26, 2012 11:10 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A line-up out the door during an open house Thursday night, as a developer presented what could be in store for the Little Mountain neighbourhood in Vancouver. The designs promise big and controversial changes for the land that once featured only social housing townhouses.
The proposal calls for 1,834 new units in 20 new buildings on the 15-acre parcel, just east of Queen Elizabeth Park. Some condo buildings will be as high as 14 stories.
A lot of people at the open house worry 4,500 extra people in such a condensed area will put pressure on local services, such as the community centre and hospitals.
“It seems big. The density is way too much for the community,” says one gentleman. “I just think the buildings are too tall, especially ones along Ontario Street,” says another.
“I’m upset about this. I really think it’s going to change our neighbourhood. It’s one of the few neighbourhoods in the city where middle class families can still afford to live. This is going to change that,” offers a woman who’s lived in the neighbourhood for 30 years.
But Joo Kim Tiah with developer Holborn Group says a growing city has to accommodate more people.
“If you want a sustainable city, with a low carbon footprint and not have people commute so far, the natural progression of a city is to densify,” he insists. “There will be people who don’t want change. But quite frankly, if you don’t change, there won’t be any progress.”
Holborn is committed to providing 234 social housing units, to replace the 224 units that were demolished on the site. The design also boasts a village square, a neighbourhood house, retail spaces, a daycare, and a water canal.
Tiah hopes to bring the proposal to the City of Vancouver within the next few months. If approved, ground breaking could take place early next year. But the entire project could take a decade to complete.
Another open house at Brock elementary on Main St. will happen on Saturday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
