Property developers in Vancouver may have to hang on for a bit of time.

It could take longer for rezoning applications to move forward at cityhall.

Because of ongoing public health concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be delays in scheduling public hearings about applications to rezone properties.

According to councillor Pete Fry, council needs to be satisfied about a way to hold public hearings that does not put citizens at risk.

“We need to prioritize public safety,” Fry told the Georgia Straight said by phone Wednesday (April 1, 2020).

The Green Party of Vancouver councillor was interviewed a day after a council meeting wherein the agenda included staff reports on four rezoning applications.

The staff reports recommended referring the four applications to public hearing.

None was referred to public hearing, according to Fry.

One application was filed by the GUD Group, on behalf of 1120814 B.C. Ltd., to rezone 187-195 West 41^st Avenueto permit the development of a four-storey residential building, containing 23 strata units.

The second rezoning application was made by Giant Union Design Architecture & Planning Ltd. on behalf of WDG Investment Ltd. to rezone 7843-7845 for a six-storey residential building with 29 strata units.

The third application was filed by IBI Group on behalf of 1061511 B.C. Ltd (Jameson Development Corporation) for 2538 Birch Street (formerly 1296 West Broadway) for a 27-storey tower with 258 rental units.

The fourth was from Wesgroup Properties on behalf of West 16th Avenue & Cambie Street Investments Ltd. to rezone 3220 Cambie Street for a six-storey building containing 48 strata residential units.

Fry told the Straight by phone that there’s talk at cityhall about having a “remote station” at the site where people can “record” their opinions about particular rezoning applications.

“That's fine for me for items that aren't terribly controversial and might pull two or three speakers,” Fry said.

However, Fry noted that there are rezoning applications that generated a lot of public attention, attracting dozens of speakers.

“I worry that that can't be accommodated in a safe manner,” Fry said.

Fry said that council aims to arrive at a good approach to ensure that public hearings remain “accessible and equitable”.

According to Fry, council meets on April 14, and will likely review how public hearings are to be conducted.