Today, we’re going to talk about a controversial development project that Vancouver’s city council has recently approved. The project involves building 13,000 new homes on a 36-hectare site on the west side of the city and has been criticized by some residents.
The Jericho Lands Policy Statement, as approved by the council, sets the direction for the development of the land owned by a joint venture that includes three First Nations. The project will unfold over 25 to 30 years and is expected to house up to 24,000 residents. It will also include significant parks and other public spaces.
However, not everyone is happy with this project. The group Jericho Coalition, made up of some residents, has opposed the project, stating that it fails to deliver “livable density” and will create “Metrotown by the Sea,” British Columbia’s largest shopping mall.
Despite the opposition, the council voted to advance the proposal after two hours of public comments during a meeting on Wednesday. The land is owned by the Canada Lands Company and MST Nations—Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh.
It is clear that this project has sparked some controversy, but it also has the potential to provide much-needed housing for thousands of people in Vancouver. As the project moves forward, it will be interesting to see how it develops and how it will impact the surrounding communities.
