Dear Heritage Supporter, Thanks to all of you who sent in letters. Tuesday night's Public Hearing ran late and will continue this evening. There is still time to express your views. Find a sample letter to cut, paste and personalize. (NOTE: paraphrasing the letter in your own words will have more impact. A few sentences will do.) Email and information follows. Thank you so much! Public Hearing on Character Home Retention Incentives Thursday, September 21, 2017, at 6 pm City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue Third Floor, Council Chamber Subject Line: Rezoning Application for Character Home Incentives Dear Mayor and Council, I am writing to protest the inadequacy of the measures proposed to protect our fast disappearing character homes. While I support the actual incentives outlined in the report, as the report itself states, “Staff do not expect that incentives alone will result in a significant change to current development trends in single-family zones.” The report goes on to state what WILL make a difference: “Reducing the floor area for new construction, as exists in our RT zones, would have a great impact in retaining character homes but is not recommended as part of this report.” No reduction in floor area of new buildings and the lack of design guidelines will mean that our neighbourhoods will continue to be redeveloped for the luxury market during an affordable housing crisis. You have sufficient public support to pursue an effective solution. In the recent Character Home Zoning Review Questionnaire only 24% disapproved of reducing floor area compared to 59% who approved and strongly approved. If you are sincere about your greenest city initiatives and about creating affordable housing, act immediately to stop the rampant demolition of liveable homes. This is a priority issue for me and I will be voting accordingly at the upcoming municipal elections. Sincerely, Email: publichearing@vancouver.ca Documents: http://council.vancouver.ca/20170725/documents/p2.pdf http://vancouver.ca/files/cov/character-home-zoning-review-questionnaire-summary-april-2017.pdf Information: http://council.vancouver.ca/20170919/phea20170919ag.htm Please register to speak by emailing publichearing@vancouver.ca or by calling 604-829-4238. You may also register in person at the door between 5:30 and 6 pm on the day of the Public Hearing.