CD-1 Rezoning: 8080 Yukon Street

Statement Watch

Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is Joshua Tiong, and I serve as a volunteer board member for the Kiwanis or Optimist Senior Citizens Housing Society. And I've lived in Vancouver my entire life. Born and raised East Van and very, very privileged to be able to volunteer for projects including this one. And that long-term connection to the city has strongly informed how I approach all of my community service. And I wanted to stress specifically the Kiwanis perspective in this project and how we've thought about it, conceptualized it, worked with our partners, our development manager, and our architects. So as a board, first and foremost, we see ourselves as stewards. And I know that we've talked about deep affordability and long-term generational social housing. So the land and housing that we see are held in trust, and we see it as our responsibility to ensure that they continue to serve the public good. And that means not only for today, but over the long term. That responsibility includes the senior citizen residents who currently call the property home. I know that there were a lot of questions around relocation, and so we have made it a priority to reach out to our sister chapters in Kiwanis across British Columbia all the way through to the island and the interior for those residents who might want to move there. As part of our governance role, the board has been deeply engaged in ensuring that the tenants are treated fairly, with respect, all throughout this process, and we have made significant investments of our resources, our time, and being there present to talk to the tenants throughout this process. And so what we wanted to make sure is that this proposal is the result of a careful and disciplined process. As a volunteer board, we took our time to understand the scale of this project, We have looked through the finances infinitely. We have looked at the risks involved. We have looked at the long-term obligations that it will create. And we've asked really hard questions and tested assumptions and worked really closely with our experienced professional partners and the city staff throughout this process. So while this is a very significant undertaking, we believe the project is well considered, it is well supported, and it is ready to move forward. So any remaining details can be appropriately addressed through the city's review process, and we are committed to having those conversations, including from those who might be opposed to the project, so that we can make sure we are continuing to be great stewards of this neighborhood. So on behalf of the board, I respectfully ask council to support this rezoning so the project can proceed to its next phase and that we can continue delivering on social housing. Thank you. Thank you very much.

Statement Watch

Hello, my name is David Olson. I'm a long-term, 30-year-plus member of the Kiwanis Club of Vancouver, and that has included the positions of president, treasurer, which I currently am, as well as the director for the club. I've also been, I was born and raised in Vancouver. I was born at Grace Hospital many years ago. I'm now living in the North Shore, but I fully support this project. I'd love to see it move ahead. In fact, I'm very proud that our club, which was charted in 1919, has been supporting the senior housing for well over 50 years. And we're pleased and very, very happy to be able to provide... and move ahead with the redevelopment project on this location and very supportive with it. I respectfully encourage council to support the rezoning application for our project. Thank you. Great. Thank you very much.

Statement Watch

presentation to appear. Thank you. So good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is Helen Chan. I'm the rezoning planner for this application at 8080 Yukon Street. This is a property owned by the Kiwanis Seroptimus Senior Citizens Housing Society. Sorry, I'm just having my mics. We can advance the slides up here. OK, if you don't mind, next. Okay, I'm going to give control to you. Does that work? Okay, thank you. The site shown in red is located at the northeast corner of Yukon Street and Marine Drive, one block east of Canby and the Canada Line Station. The site comprises one property with an existing three-story social housing apartment for seniors. 81 of the current 86 residential tenancies are eligible for protections under the tenant relocation and protection policy. The neighborhood is undergoing change with residential towers constructed across on Yukon Street and employment towers approved south of Marine Drive. Next slide, please. Sorry, mine is working now. Thank you. Sorry about that So I'm going back to the thank you. This application is being considered under the Marple community plan and the marine Sorry, I'm on the pre Policy slide I Do apologize.

Oh It's all good. You're doing great.

Okay Once again, the application is being considered in the Marple Community Plan and the Marine Landing Policy Update. So under these policies, the sites shown in pink are identified as existing social housing sites where rezonings may be considered in order to renew and increase the stock of social housing. The site itself is shown by the red circle. The marine landing updates permits increased heights and densities for developments that deliver additional affordable housing. The marine landing updates also provide for public realm improvements, including frontage improvements and a pedestrian use for the site. Okay. This application proposes four buildings with a six-story building for seniors at the northeast portion of the site. Three towers of 26, 28, and 32 stories are also proposed. Consistent with the marine landing public realm plan to break down long frontages, a publicly accessible north-south pedestrian muse shown in the yellow is proposed through the site. A total of 903 social housing units are proposed. The public provided 37 submissions through a consultation process that included an online question and answer period and an in-person open house. The Q&A and open house were held in April of last year. Support was expressed for what was regarded as urgently required social housing and its suitable location near the Canada Line bus loop and shopping. However, There were public concerns about the height and scale of the development, but staff note the proposal is consistent with city policies for social access and the Marple and Marine landing areas. The public had concerns about increased traffic and pressure on transit services. However, staff note that the location encourages reduced vehicle use and parking, given its proximity to the Canada line. frequent bus transit and bikeways. The public also expressed concerns about the loss of mature trees, but staff note that tree retention has been considered and 22 mature trees will be retained on site. For this application, no development cost levies, community amenity contributions, or public art are due because social housing is exempt from these requirements. The public benefit is the 903 social housing units that will be secured for the greater of 60 years in the life of the building.

The applicant will also provide a statutory right of way for public use of the MUSE. So in conclusion, this proposal aligns with the Marple Community Plan and the Marine Landing Policy Updates. It advances the city's social housing targets by delivering 903 social housing units, including one building for seniors. Staff recommend approval subject to conditions outlined in Appendix B of the report. Staff and the applicant team are available to answer questions. Thank you.

Statement Watch

Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is Carla Guerrera, and I'm here as the project delivery lead of the Southwinds Place redevelopment. Today, you are being asked to approve a landmark affordable housing project, not just for Vancouver, but nationally. Southwinds Place represents the largest non-profit-led affordable housing development in the history of Vancouver and also most significant in Canada. This project is being advanced by our client, Sir Optimist, Kiwanis Sir Optimist Housing Society. a partnership of two longstanding nonprofits that have been serving the city for over 100 years. As a volunteer board, Kiwanis Suroptimist Society has demonstrated exceptional vision and stewardship, and they are choosing to use their land to help address the Vancouver housing crisis. at a scale never before undertaken by a nonprofit. Our team at Purpose Driven Development is honored to serve as their project delivery partner, leading development and financing of this critical housing project. My name is Janet Law, and I am speaking on behalf of the Kiwanis Seroptimist Society. Our mandate has always been to serve Vancouver's most vulnerable residents by providing stable, affordable housing for seniors, working families, and supportive community spaces focused on well-being and social inclusion. For over a century, our organization has been deeply rooted in this city, responding to evolving community needs while remaining committed to service, dignity, and long-term impact that affordable housing can provide. This project represents a huge expansion and continuation of that legacy, dedicating our land to be used responsibly to provide significant housing that will serve current and future generations of the entire city. We see this redevelopment as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a meaningful contribution from our society and our board members to the city's housing supply while remaining true to our mission and values. Thank you for listening. Southwinds Place is a mixed-income intergenerational rental community that's delivering over 903 homes over two phases and that is retained in non-profit ownership. It's crucial to highlight that this single project is delivering close to 10% of the City of Vancouver's 10-year affordable housing target, all at a transit node with amenities for daily life in walking distance. And it's a critical housing project at the right location and the right time. The project is intentionally designed to support a diverse mix of residents across generations, ages, stages of life, and income levels. So that includes seniors and the 90 seniors who will be relocated back to the new project. young families, and working households. The project is also delivering public benefits in terms of an accessible courtyard and wellness path, intergenerational gathering spaces, seniors outdoor amenities, and family spaces as well. With over 900 new mixed income homes, 30% of those will be below the housing income limit, advancing council's housing objectives. We want to express our sincere appreciation to staff, particularly the senior leadership team that was established to work with our team and for their collaboration. We also want to acknowledge the innovation and leadership of this council and previous councils. I mean this when I say you are delivering some of the most progressive affordable housing policies in Canada. And it is those policies that enable Southwinds to come before you for considerations. Without the DCL waivers, the short program, and the CHIP program, projects like this are simply not possible with non-profit delivery. We acknowledge and support the Director of Planning's discretion and flexibility to resolve certain technical matters at the development permit stage, as this flexibility is essential to secure financing that this project is actively seeking with Build Canada Homes. So councillors, over to you, and Mayor, over to you. With your approval today, you have the opportunity to deliver this legacy project and demonstrate how our city delivers affordable housing at scale. Thank you.