VANCOUVER

The City of Vancouver is reviewing the financial performance of the Mountain View Cemetery Master Plan and proposing a new phase of development. The report outlines the need for ongoing operating contributions to support the long-term care and maintenance of the cemetery.

• Phase 1 generated $40.2 million in revenue, with $27.3 million from new space sales and $7.7 million in new Care Fund contributions.
• The anticipated sales volume and revenues were not fully realized.

• Phase 2 will create over 6,200 new interment spaces over 15 years, with an estimated $12 million in capital costs.
• The financial plan projects $65 million in revenues, including over $11 million in Care Fund contributions.

• The Care Fund principal has increased from under $3 million to over $10 million since the cemetery reopened in 2008.
• Ongoing operating contributions: Needed to support the long-term care and maintenance of the cemetery.

Vancouver has seen a surge in unlicensed and unregulated retail shops selling "magic" mushrooms and other entheogens, with no prosecution or business license regulations in place. Entheogens are psychoactive substances used for spiritual, therapeutic, and inspirational purposes, and have been used by indigenous peoples for centuries.

• Recreational use of natural psychedelics has doubled in the last three years, particularly among adults aged 19-30.
• Many entheogens are designated under Schedule 3 of Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which prohibits possession except for authorized therapeutic use.
• Despite the legal restrictions, mushroom dispensaries have popped up across Canada and online, selling psilocybin and entheogenic products, with no charges or convictions in Vancouver.

• Regulatory Framework: The City has the authority to regulate land use and businesses, and previously introduced the Medical Marijuana Related Uses (MMRU) framework to ensure availability and appropriate business conduct.
• Harm Reduction: The City recognizes that a regulated market of safe supply mushrooms and entheogens can be considered a form of harm reduction, and is committed to public safety and harm reduction.
• Proposed Action: The City directs staff to examine the legal context and a retail framework to regulate business licenses for retailers of entheogens, based on the MMRU framework, to achieve a balance between availability and community health, safety, security, aesthetics, equity, and enjoyment of property.

The City of Vancouver is exploring ways to expand and renew its co-op housing stock, including leveraging underutilized city-owned land to create more affordable and attainable homes.

• The City formed the Vancouver Housing Development Office to utilize city land for middle-income housing.
• The City owns and manages land in Champlain Heights and False Creek South, which presents opportunities for new co-op development.
• The Housing Vancouver Strategy aimed to deliver more co-op housing but faced challenges, and the City is now looking to partner with the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) to explore new co-op housing models.
• The City is directed to report on opportunities to build new co-op housing on existing city-owned co-op sites and to update the False Creek South Development Plan to increase housing targets and options for existing residents.

• Report on Opportunities: The City will report on opportunities to build new co-op housing on existing city-owned co-op sites and explore partnerships with CHF BC.
• False Creek South Development Plan: The City will update the False Creek South Development Plan, including retaining city ownership, increasing housing targets, and options for existing residents.

Summary of the Public Hearing on February 27, 2024:

• Amendment to Zoning By-law: Proposal to allow mass timber in buildings taller than six storeys.
• Height and Density Increase: Rezoning applications for mass timber to have increased height and density.
• Extra Height in District Schedule Areas: Provision of additional height for mass timber in specific areas.
• Recommended Approval: Council to approve By-law amendment for increased height of mass timber buildings.
• Next Steps: Director of Legal Services to enact By-law amendments, General Manager to present Mass Timber Policy for Council approval.

This Vancouver City Council document discusses the proposed changes to parking requirements for new developments. Key points include:

• Elimination of Minimum Parking Requirements: Effective January 1, 2024, for West End, Robson North, and Broadway Plan areas, extending the existing Downtown standards.
• Amendments to Loading and Bicycle Facilities: Changes effective from January 2024, with updates to loading rates, design standards, and bicycle facility requirements.
• Future Phases: A plan to phase out minimum parking requirements citywide, considering parking maximums and improved on-street parking regulation by the end of 2024.
• Impacts: Expected benefits include increased project viability, especially on challenging sites, reduced construction costs, and support for sustainable transport modes.

These changes are part of broader efforts to encourage sustainable urban development and reduce reliance on private vehicles.