It may have been a heated public hearing over a proposed development in the Metrotown area, but the outcome likely did little to diffuse the affordable housing fight in the city.
On Tuesday, council approved a zoning amendment that would allow for the construction of a 27-storey apartment building and townhouses on Marlborough Avenue and Imperial Street.
The development was the latest battle ground between affordable housing groups opposed to the new developments in the Metrotown area and the city, which continues to approve applications for large high-rises.
The issue boiled over briefly during the public hearing as protestors, who filled the council chambers, disrupted the meeting for about 10 minutes.
In the end, the meeting continued with council approving the development that will mean the demolition of four older apartment buildings. In all, 47 units will be lost to the development, although one eight-unit building was vacant due to a fire.
Coun. Paul McDonell said there is little the city can do, arguing the city can’t be in the business of building social housing and the buildings in question were at the end of their life.
“There’s not much we can do really. They’re (developers) within the bylaws right now,” he told the NOW after the meeting on Thursday.
McDonell added the city is growing and the current situation comes with that growth.
He also said the city doesn’t have the means to replace the older buildings and suggested the developers aren’t going to do it since they’re not in the business of subsidizing affordable housing.
Instead, the councillor hopes the new federal Liberal government will come up with a national housing plan to alleviate the problem.
But Rick McGowan with the Metrotown Residents Association doesn’t believe Burnaby’s hands are tied and instead suggested the city has neglected the area for years waiting for redevelopment.
He noted the most recent approved development will lead to the displacement of more low-income families in the neighbourhood.
McGowan said the big concern for the association is just how much redevelopment and densification will take place in the neighbourhood, adding there is a lot of speculation in the community.
“If they plan to demolish all those affordable low-rises in Metrotown, then they need to be honest about it,” he said. “It is a community already, and basically they’re replacing it.”
McGowan also believes the city will continue to approve developments without seeking public approval.
“I think that what’s happening here. They’re going to ask for forgiveness rather than ask for permission from the people that are living in the neighbourhood,” he said.
McGowan said it’s up to his group and the other involved in fighting the city to continue to educate the public on what’s happening in Metrotown.
