Green council candidate Adriane Carr ponders Vancouver's growth

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      For Adriane Carr, the Green Party of Vancouver’s sole candidate for council, there is one really big issue facing the city.

      In a phone interview with the Georgia Straight, Carr posed it as a question: “How are we going to grow in a way that doesn’t negatively impact the quality of life and livability and character of our neighbourhoods?”

      When she participates in a debate among candidates about city planning issues, Carr will get the chance to explain how she’s going to approach this matter if she gets elected as a councillor in the November 19 election.

      The debate is being organized by the Residents Association Mount Pleasant. It will be held at Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street) on October 26, starting at 6:45 p.m.

      RAMP is keeping a close eye on a proposed development in the neighbourhood. Rize Alliance Properties Ltd. wants to put up a 19-storey tower on a block bounded by Kingsway, East Broadway, East 10th Avenue, and Watson Street. The project includes commercial spaces, 221 market condo units, and 20 rental housing units.

      Planning staff has yet to submit to the Vision Vancouver–dominated council a report that will refer the project to a public hearing.

      RAMP member Stephen Bohus doesn’t expect one until after the election because of local opposition to the development.

      “We think that one of the most important functions of city hall is land-use planning and policy that really affect generations to come,” Bohus told the Straight by phone about why his group made arrangements for the candidates’ debate.

      Carr is of the same mind. “Planning is key,” the Green candidate said. “Respecting the zoning bylaws and neighbourhoods is critical, and growing in a way that doesn’t compromise the livability of neighbourhoods is paramount.”

      The Greens are running an independent campaign in this election. Unlike in 2008, they’re not part of Vision’s alliance with the Coalition of Progressive Electors.

      Comments

      3 Comments

      asdfe

      Oct 12, 2011 at 5:53pm

      Good to see residents organizing their own candidates meetings.

      I'm interested in hearing what Carr has to offer, considering it's unlikely she'll be bought off by developers as have Vision and the NPA (with their multi-million dollar campaign budget).

      James G

      Oct 12, 2011 at 10:12pm

      Let's mark this date. October 12, 2011. Six weeks before Vancouver's municipal election and the first time in my knowledge that Ms. Carr has gone public with an opinion on any civic issue. Yet she expects election to Council on November 19?

      If I apply that same lame trajectory to my own political life as an former canvasser for COPE, I could have been elected Mayor about seven times already.

      james green

      Oct 13, 2011 at 8:25am

      Specifics is what we need from all candidates. Yes, we know growth can have negative impact on people. Now how do these candidates plan to control growth, ensure community imput and control, ensure growth and services are on the same level, ensure we are not growing just to allow developers to make profits while ruining communities? There are many questions and the candidates that have meaningful answers will get my vote.
      We need answers my friends not generalities.
      I hope someone has answers or are the answers blowing in the wind?