West End residents rally against 27-storey hotel development near Stanley Park

Residents of Vancouver's West End are concerned a proposed rezoning will increase congestion and alter the neighborhood's character.

A group of residents in Vancouver’s West End neighbourhood are voicing their concerns over a proposed 27-storey hotel development near Stanley Park, fearing it would drastically alter the area’s character while increasing congestion and straining local infrastructure.

“If this happens, it’s going to destroy the vibe of the neighborhood,” said area resident Mark Jan Vrem.

The City of Vancouver has received a rezoning application for 2030-2038 Barclay St., which is being considered under the Hotel Development Policy. The proposal consists of a hotel and long-term stay building, featuring 270 units and restaurant space on the ground floor, according to the city’s website.

CTV News reached out to the city and Marcon, the project’s developer, for comment, but did not receive a response from either.

Jan Vrem was among many community members at a meeting Wednesday to discuss ways to stop the project from being approved. They are planning to gather petitions, reach out to city councilors, and engage with fellow West End residents.

He believes a project of this size simply won’t work.

“It’s out of scale. It’s just too big for the neighborhood,” Jan Vrem said. “It just doesn’t fit for all kinds of reasons: traffic, parking, congestion, and safety.”

While Jan Vrem told CTV News he believes the city is listening to the community, he fears that their voices may not carry the same weight as those of developers.

“I think the development community has access to city hall that regular residents do not have, and that’s to our detriment,” he said.

Despite major concerns around the rezoning application, Jan Vrem noted that the situation has united neighbors: “In a weird kind of way, this development has enriched the neighborhood to this point. Now, let’s hope they don’t ruin it by building that hotel.”