The story behind one of my stories.
Before breaking for Christmas, Vancouver City Council approved a suite of actions focused on improving project viability. One of the big actions was the creation of a Rental Development Relief Program.
As I reported for Storeys last week, nine projects — including two by PCI Developments and two by Anthem Properties — have applied and are set to proceed under the program, which adjusts the affordability requirements for below-market rental units. The application process remains open. Full details:
The big headlines.
Another action towards improving project viability that Vancouver is taking is creating a new C-2A zoning district that would allow six-storey mixed-use buildings and hotels by right in some areas, through a City-initiated rezoning of 2,348 parcels across Vancouver..
The Metro Vancouver Regional District voted in favour of rolling back 2026 DCC rates and reducing 2027 DCC rates, a big win for the development industry, which has been pushing for the change for several years.
Metro Vancouver was also recently sued by the City of Surrey over Invest Vancouver, the MVRD’s investment agency that Surrey says was created without proper authorization.
The Surrey City Development Corporation (City of Surrey) and TransLink unveiled a plan to redevelop 41 acres at King George Boulevard and 72 Avenue into a transit-oriented community with at least 2,200 new homes. Full details about the Newton Centre Master Development Plan in Storeys.
Guess who’s back? Doug McCallum, who announced he’s running for Mayor of Surrey once more, for what would be his third stint if he wins.
The Liberals won three byelections that were held last week, giving Prime Minister Mark Carney a majority government. Carney also announced the Canada Investment Summit to be held in Toronto in September, where he hopes to secure $1 trillion in investment in Canada.