The Record · Vancouver Morning Wire

Your Councillor Bligh keeps missing big votes. Why?

Your Council's Absentee Ballots And A Duplex Up West 39th

There's a quiet hum at City Hall, even when it seems like not much is happening. We're looking at some recent council votes, and a couple of building permits that caught my eye.

First, let's talk about Councillor Bligh. Their name pops up twice in recent council votes as "Absent." Once on April 21st, during a Special Council meeting regarding a short-term rental business license at 1801-1788 Columbia Street. The decision still carried unanimously without them, but it’s interesting to note. Then again, on April 14th, Bligh was absent for a Public Hearing concerning a CD-1 text amendment for the Canada Place and West Waterfront Road area. That motion also carried. For constituents in Vancouver, it's worth knowing who is present when decisions are made, especially on big items like waterfront development.

On the development front, a new building permit was issued on May 28th for 3540 West 39th Avenue. This one is for a pretty substantial project: a 2 ½ storey plus basement duplex, complete with two secondary suites. The estimated construction value sits at $1,700,000. It’s a low-density housing project, signaling continued densification even in established residential areas. This kind of development changes the face of our neighbourhoods, one duplex at a time.

Beautiful out here. Complicated in here. That's the coast.

Kenji Nakashima (@westcoastweird_yvr)

The MiTL team goes deep on these stories every weekday morning. Tune in live at mornings.live.

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