Vancouver homeowners unhappy with new multiplexes push for change at city hall

Three years after the provincial government mandated that cities allow multi-unit buildings on single-family lots, some Vancouverites want that to change.

In an effort to address the housing crisis, in 2023 the province passed a law mandating municipal governments in B.C. to allow multi-family dwellings on single family lots. And some Vancouver residents are not happy with developments that are now taking shape.

On Paton Street in the city’s Arbutus Ridge neighborhood, a four storey, six-unit multiplex is being built a large single-family lot. It towers over an older single-storey house next door.

“This is completely out of proportion for a neighborhood like this,” said resident Marisa Thomas. “I think my biggest concern is about livability. Imagine living next to this. You don’t have sunlight in your backyard, there’s no tapering, there’s no setbacks. That’s really poor design.”

“I think it’s terrible,” said resident Elaine Stevens. “It’s sad. And the house next door then has no value, unless it’s a lot. And somebody lives there. They have probably lived there a long time.”

While the zoning change was mandated by the province, residents opposed to the large multiplexes are pushing Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC party to do something.

“I think the City of Vancouver needs to push back, and they need to figure out how to make it possible for people to continue to live side by side respectfully, which is not what’s happening now,” said Stevens.

“We’ve been emailing them, we’ve had meetings. ABC and staffers are pointing the fingers at each other. No one wants to take the blame for this. I think they know there’s something wrong, but they don’t want to do anything about it, or haven’t yet,” added Thomas.

While Sim says his party supports the so-called “missing middle” multiplex housing being built on single family lots, he understands some residents are concerned.

“There are exceptions, and we hear them, and we reserve our right to change our minds when people make a sound argument as to why it doesn’t work. We’ve been pretty consistent, we’re listening to the residents, and we’re having conversations,” said Sim.

Dan Winer with Small Housing BC supports the multiplex building, and points out many residents in single family neighborhooods initially opposed basement suites and laneway homes too.

“We understand that change can be scary, or change can make people uncomfortable. And at the same time, that is not reason enough to go backwards. We must continue to plod on and deal with the issues of housing affordability in British Columbia and in the Greater Vancouver area specifically,” said Winer.

The residents who want the city to put limits on the multiplex buildings are hoping to make it an election issue this November.

“I think politicians need to understand that communities want trees, they want sunlight, they want houses that fit in the neighborhood that are in proportion,” said Thomas. “I think the team that runs on that is going to win.”