I recently read, with a bit of astonishment, the opinion of a columnist at one of Vancouver's daily newspapers. In a rather pontificating way he scolded the backward thinking of Vancouver neighbourhoods east of Main and south of Broadway (and beyond). It seems that we are all living in a make believe world. We outliers from the newly envisioned core of Vancouver have yet to see the light and are selfishly clinging to a past way of living that values gardens, trees, shrubs and other plants around single family houses. Not only that, cars are still part and parcel of our daily lives. While petty disagreements erupt down on Point Grey Road (cars give way to bike path), those of us living outside the "green zone" are rejecting densification because we can't accept change, or so he proffered.
Nothing could be further from the truth in Kerrisdale. I have now lived in this neighbourhood for over 40 years and before and during that tenure our robust little community, established in 1905, has been at the leading edge of progressive development. Kerrisdale Village's core lies along West 41st avenues (formerly Wilson Road) between Maple and Larch Streets and along West Boulevard between West 37th and 49th Avenue. By the time of my arrival much of the existing zoning had been established allowing eight to 10 story apartment buildings for three to four blocks to the south and north of the main thoroughfare.
As I recall it, the city's planning department actually conducted comprehensive community consultation with not only the local resident associations of the day, but with the Kerrisdale Merchants Association (now Kerrisdale Business Association). They agreed to a stepped-back approach where the one- and two-storey buildings flanking West 41st would give way to higher structures as they went north and south of that location. This consideration of "the look" of Kerrisdale Village allowed a stature that would have been lost had the adjacent highrises dwarfed the business district. All of this was accomplished through the give and take of meaningful dialogue between city staff and residents/business leaders who, if they had hidden agendas, never acted upon them.
In addition, when McDonalds decided to develop a prime corner location in Kerrisdale, the Kerrisdale Business Association conducted numerous meetings with city staff and the architect/developer to ensure that the resulting building faade would blend into the area.
London Drugs soon followed with the city's new concept of retail on the ground level and three to four stories above. All this densification was seamless because all parties worked openly together and compromise was a key component of success.
Back to cars in the hinterlands of Kerrisdale. Please note the abandoned tracks that run straight through our district. It was once known as "The Sockeye Express" as it went all the way to Steveston. As of 1912 Kerrisdale was connected to Dunbar via rail along West 41st and that was extended to Granville Street in 1920. Safe to say we could get used to rail transport again and have given our two cents worth to city staffers about the fact that this corridor is not identified for any mode of transportation in the City's 2040 Transportation Plan. People will continue to use cars if no other viable and easy to use system is not in place.
Think about it - wouldn't the Arbutus right-of-way make a brilliant bike path/ light rail? Why on earth would that not be considered in the 2040 Plan? Perhaps CPR's earlier proposal of thin houses on their abandoned property (rejected several years ago by residents of the area) will receive more favourable consideration under the new wave at city hall.
In summation, Kerrisdale for one is a neighbourhood that has been forward looking and flexible with its zoning and hence, densification. But there is a nuanced difference. When Kerrisdale went down this road several years ago it did so with a kinder, gentler administration at city hall who did not strive to divide Vancouver neighbourhoods, but to build a better future together.
Rather than casting aspersions about how "out of touch" we all are, the city should actually try negotiating in good faith while taking into account our values not just theirs. The last time I looked, sustainability did not equal unchained growth.
Terri Clark is a Kerrisdale resident and former communications staffer with the Vancouver park board.
