In some cities like Houston, zoning is minimal if it exists at all, resulting in explosion-prone chemical factories located in residential areas. Not a good idea.
But in Vancouver, we have zoning that is far more controlling and exclusionary. Even as affordability continues to decline, low-density land use continues to be the norm. Here’s a chance to look at the far end of this exclusionary scale, thanks to Abundant Housing Vancouver’s walking tour.
More on zoning and exclusion HERE.
Walking Tour: Vancouver’s Worst Zoning
September 10, 1-4 pm. Meet at Blanca and Belmont, 1 pm.
You might already know that townhouses and apartments are illegal on most of Vancouver’s residential land. But did you know that some neighbourhoods go further by effectively zoning for mansions that are many times more expensive than even the average multi-million-dollar Vancouver house?
Wow. There is a lot of upper middle class ‘of a certain age’ indignation to unpack in the conception and promotion of this walking tour. If you are the sort who is inclined to engage in a public shaming of the wealthy disguised as a roving lecture on “bad zoning”, then I hope you get everything off your chest that you need to. And that there is tea for you afterwards.
I think you are missing the point.
This land is subsidized by the poorest via tax policy and infrastructure.
No one is suggesting rich folk can’t have nice things.
People are suggesting that laws shouldn’t subsidize them.
The rich are welcome to buy any land they please. We don’t need to set aside 4 square km for them, they are welcome to live among us.
I disagree. I don’t think I am missing the point.
AHV member here. You are missing the point.
Lots of these homes are going to be rebuilt in the near future. We think it sucks that the city *mandates* massive 150′ wide lots instead of *allowing* denser housing options near UBC and Spanish Banks.
I think it says something about you if you interpret a call to let property owners do *more* with their lots as “shaming of the wealthy”.
(this should be a response to Dan Ross’s comment above, I seem to have messed up the threading)
Absolutely. If people want SFH then the city should encourage the subdivision of lots such as these to provide them. They’ve already signalled they’re going to allow back/front subdivision by allowing laneway houses to be sold, why not split these 150′ lots into 3 or 4 lots?
While far from perfect, Houston’s minimal zoning also allows for far greater housing diversity, especially in transit-friendly inner neighbourhoods. See https://twitter.com/densifyinghou for examples that would have a very tough time getting approved in Vancouver.