Every week, we'll send you an update on what happened at City Hall, School Board, and Park Board in the last seven days. Hear directly from OneCity Councillor Lucy Maloney, OneCity School Board Trustee Jennifer Reddy, and OneCity Park Board Candidates on the goings on in City government.
City Council Update:
We are really in the thick of the traditional July stampede to the finish of Council meetings before the upcoming October election. Here’s a quick rundown of what is happening at City Hall in the final week before the August break.
“Tech Hotel” in Mt. Pleasant Industrial Area (75 East 8th Avenue)
Council continued to hear from the large volume of public speakers last night on this proposed extended-stay hotel development. If this public hearing wasn’t completed last night, it will continue today, Saturday July 25, starting at 9:30am.
Proposed Holborn Development
Council has finished hearing from speakers about the Holborn proposal for the City’s tallest buildings and will reconvene on Monday, July 28 for closing comments from staff, questions, debate, and decision. The project is proposed to be built in two locations, one of which is the former Dunsmuir Hotel site.
Villages Plan
This week we heard all the speakers for the Villages Plan, including some... outliers. The shenanigans attracted the attention of Vancouver Sun columnist Dan Fumano: AI slop, Californians, and bogus 'translators': Vancouver council went off the rails this week. Questions, debate, and decision will take place as unfinished business at the Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 28.
At Tuesday’s Council Meeting, we’ll also be finishing debate and decision on a motion to explore reestablishing the Renter Office as part of another big agenda.
Floating Spa at Heritage Harbour
On Thursday evening, we’ll be continuing the Public Hearing from July 21, including:
The Vancouver Museum proposal to install a floating spa at Heritage Harbour Marina in partnership with HAVN Saunas Inc, which already has an existing operation in the City of Victoria’s harbour.
Advisory Committees
I’m the Councillor Liaison for the Older Persons and Elders Advisory Committee and the Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee. With a OneCity majority on Council after the election, you’ll see Advisory Committees reestablished, funded and listened to, so that we can recognise the incredible work of these volunteer bodies, and implement their priorities. Priorities like reappointing a dedicated Seniors Strategic Lead and accessible transport champion, and properly resourcing things like seniors’ housing planners and accessibility improvements.
The possible threat to volunteer Advisory Committees and their priorities underlines the need for more OneCity Vancouver elected representatives on Council, Park Board and School Board.
You can help make it happen by donating to our election campaign and sign up to volunteer. We can’t risk another ABC majority, so please dig deep and get involved.
You can reach me at [email protected] or [email protected]. Have a great weekend.
- Lucy Maloney
OneCity Vancouver City Councillor
Park Board Update:
The Vancouver Park Board voted on two key items this week. The Board amended the basic approval of BC Hydro's substation relocation project to include temporary growing areas for community gardeners within Nelson Park, relocation of the apiary, accessible garden plots, and other significant aspects of the City's first downtown, citizen-designed community garden.
The amendments also included a relocation plan for the community garden, and durable fully accessible temporary toilets for the site. With two abstentions and two commissioners voting in favour, the amended motion passed. Interestingly, two of three ABC Commissioners who attended the meeting, Haer and Virdi voted against the motion. Increased density in the downtown and West End requires increased BC Hydro supply that can only be provided by a new larger electricity substation.
The Vancouver Aquatic Centre (VAC) demolition contract came before the Park Board, after being approved by City Council earlier this month. The Board approved the demolition contract. The Green Commissioner and the Independent Commissioners voted in favour of the demolition contract and noted that the project's funding would be at risk if the project was delayed past the end of the year. The two ABC Commissioners voted against the demolition contract, even though Commissioner Virdi had voted for the project in 2025.
Your OneCity Park Board candidates continue to advocate for a rapid provision of a new 50m pool, possibly at Hastings Park, complete with a community centre rebuild of the 90 year-old facility. The 50m pool and community centre could be provided without losing any green space, or disrupting the Hastings Community Centre, by locating the new facility on the city-owned parking lots at Renfrew Street and Hastings Street. OneCity Councillor Lucy Maloney moved an amendment in the City's Capital Plan that calls for this expediting of the 50m pool. The amendment passed. Your OneCity Park Board candidates will work toward this as well, and aim to have shovels in the ground at a suitable new site within the first term.
In solidarity,
John Irwin
OneCity Vancouver Candidate for Park Board
