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Wild west end fight on rezone – Metro US

Wild west end fight on rezone

The F-bombs dropped by Mayor Gregor Robertson at a recent council meeting are a minor issue compared to the concern that neighbours are being ignored, a West End resident blasted yesterday.

Randy Helten, with West End Neighbours, a group concerned with fast-track rezoning in the area, said residents have consistently been disregarded.

“In these important land-use decisions,” he said, “they have not been showing fairness and consulting with the people in Vancouver in the neighbourhoods.”

Talking with reporters on Monday, Robertson said his comments were inappropriate, but said he was not being dismissive. He said building more rental housing is a tough issue, with people and viewpoints on all sides.

Helten’s group is concerned about the rezoning of a number of sites proposed under the city’s Short Term Incentives for Rental (STIR) housing program.

They include a 21-storey tower proposed at the site of Maxine’s Hideaway (1215 Bidwell St.) and a 22-storey tower at St. John’s Church (1401 Comox St.)