New Vancouver Council Plotting to Rescind Recently Approved Zoning Changes

Local elections have consequences.

1 minute read

November 7, 2018, 12:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Vancouver Skyline Bikes

markyeg / Flickr

Mike Howell reports that the newly elected City Council are moving to undo a controversial decision in September that approved zoning to allow for duplexes in 99 percent of the city.

That vote had the approval of Mayor Gregor Robertson, five Vision colleagues, and Councilmember Hector Bremner. Now the mayor and those six councilmembers are out of office, and two of the councilmembers who voted against the zoning change are still in office. "That would be Green Party Coun. Adriane Carr and NPA Coun. Melissa De Genova," according to Howell.

Councilmembers Carr and De Genova have more recently blocked the process of the bylaw that would put the new duplex zoning amendment in motion before eventually acquiescing. "But," as Howell puts it, "this isn’t over, folks."

"Carr told me Monday that she plans to introduce a motion 'as soon as possible' to rescind the vote on duplexes," reports Howell.

And, just as Elizabeth Murphy called for in an op-ed from October, the city's October 20 election had consequences for the development of the city.

Tuesday, November 6, 2018 in Vancouver Courier

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

5 hours ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

7 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post