Vancouver Council Approves Controversial School Land Lease for Housing

UPDATE: Vancouver City Council has just approved a contentious rezoning plan that will transform the basketball courts at Sir Sandford Fleming Elementary into a six-storey rental housing complex. This decision, made on July 20, 2023, has sparked outrage among parents and community members who fear it undermines local school capacity and the needs of families.

The rezoning will facilitate the construction of approximately 87 rental units, with 20 percent allocated at below-market rates, according to a city staff report. The land, leased to Vittori Lanark Holdings Ltd. under a controversial 99-year, $8.5 million agreement, is seen by many as a significant loss to the school community.

Parents, including Heman Mehta, chair of the Fleming Elementary Parent Advisory Council, are expressing their frustration. “We’re already 22 students over capacity — how are we supposed to grow within this school?” Mehta stated, emphasizing the projected enrollment of 646 students by 2043, which is 133 percent of current capacity.

While the Vancouver School Board (VSB) claims the decision was based on thorough public engagement and sound projections, parents argue they were left uninformed about the plan’s implications. “Parents are concerned because we’re left in the dark,” said Melanie Cheng, chair of the Vancouver District Parent Advisory Council. She criticized the lack of communication since the two public sessions held in 2021.

The VSB acknowledges the concerns but insists that there is sufficient space for students. “Our updated projections indicate that we can accommodate students now and in the future,” the board stated in an email. However, critics remain skeptical, fearing that the new rental units will exacerbate overcrowding in local schools.

Councillors, including ABC Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung, highlighted the urgent need for housing in the area, which has a lower vacancy rate than the citywide average. “We really do need housing,” she noted, despite recognizing the “extraordinarily low” lease price.

As the council moves forward with its decision, the community grapples with the potential long-term impacts on school capacity and student welfare. Parents like Mehta are demanding more accountability, stating, “Decisions shouldn’t be made with only 10 years’ foresight. You need to make decisions for the next two or three generations — at least.”

With this urgent development, the community’s response will be crucial. As the first construction phases begin, all eyes will be on how this decision affects both the school population and the housing crisis in Vancouver. Community members are encouraged to voice their concerns, as the housing landscape continues to evolve.