Dan Fumano: Vancouver city council pushes to 'dial-up' Granville revitalization

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A key change focuses on a single development proposal seeking to transform the 800-block of Granville, including the Commodore Ballroom. Local landowner and developer Bonnis Properties, which owns most of the 800-block, wants to build a 17 storey building combining office, retail, restaurant and cultural space, which would form a “bridge” over the Commodore Ballroom and Commodore Lanes.

Staff recommended proceeding with “enhanced rezoning” for 800 Granville to be processed in parallel with the Granville Street planning program over the next 18 months. This would allow for more public feedback than a typical rezoning application, and would mean council wouldn’t consider the proposal at a public hearing until after the approval of policy updates through the Granville planning program is completed, currently estimated to be late 2024.

OneCity Coun. Christine Boyle introduced another amendment, directing staff to focus on addressing gender-based violence in the entertainment district, and explore bylaw changes to allow more public amplified music performance in the evening hours.Article content A few councillors mentioned how vibrant Granville has been during past instances when the strip has been temporarily pedestrianized and musical performance was allowed. Now, they urged, the city should explore making the street a great public space in a continuing way.Article content

City staff had “a more conservative approach,” Kirby-Yung said. “And I think this is, ‘Put the pedal-to-the-metal and pull back the throttle and just go for it.’ ”Not everyone supports this approach. Anthony Norfolk, a past member of the Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee and Vancouver Heritage Commission, called Tuesday’s amendments “a bit seat-of-the-pants.”Article content

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