As residents of Kitsilano, we cherish its unique character – a harmonious blend of 3-5 storey buildings, breathtaking mountain and ocean views, and a vibrant community spirit. The proposed 20-storey high-rise at 2158-2170 West 1st Avenue threatens to shatter this balance. Towering 15 storeys above its neighbors, this development would cast long shadows, obstruct views, and forever alter Kitsilano’s beloved skyline.

This fight isn't just about Kitsilano; it's about protecting the heart and soul of Vancouver's neighborhoods. If a high-rise can be forced into Kitsilano, it sets a dangerous precedent for the entire city, opening the floodgates for similar developments that prioritize profit over people and communities.

Why We Need Your Support:

• Preserve Our Neighborhood's Character: Kitsilano’s low-rise buildings create a sense of intimacy and human scale. A 20-storey tower would be jarring and out of place, casting a shadow over the community and irrevocably altering its unique character.
• Protect Our Views: Kitsilano’s stunning mountain and ocean vistas are a treasure for all Vancouverites. This high-rise would obstruct these views, robbing residents and visitors of their natural beauty.
• Prevent Overburdened Infrastructure: Kitsilano’s roads, transit, beaches, schools, and services are already stretched thin. This high-rise would add hundreds of new residents, straining infrastructure beyond its limits and degrading the quality of life for everyone.
• Stop the Affordability Crisis: High-rises drive up property values and rents, making housing even less affordable. We need solutions that create truly affordable housing, not luxury towers that price out the people they claim to help.
• Choose Sustainable Development: Demolishing the existing rental buildings creates unnecessary waste and emissions. Retrofitting and upgrading these buildings is a far greener and more sustainable solution.
• Uphold the City's Promises: Vancouver has committed to preserving neighborhood character. This high-rise contradicts those promises and sets a dangerous precedent for unchecked development across the city.

A Better Way Forward:

We are not against development; we support thoughtful growth that respects our community. We propose a maximum building height of 3-5 storeys, consistent with the existing neighborhood, to ensure that new housing can be added without sacrificing Kitsilano's unique character and livability.

How You Can Help:

1. Sign and share this petition to send a clear message to the City of Vancouver: reject the rezoning application for 2158-2170 West 1st Avenue.
2. Contact the project lead: Make your voice heard directly by contacting
   1. Oskar Eriksson, Rezoning Planner of the City of Vancouver (oskar.eriksson@vancouver.ca  or 604-829-9270)
   2. Robert Duke at Chris Dikeakos Architects Inc. (robert.d@dikeakos.com  or 604-291-2660).
3. Submit your feedback: Share your concerns through the City's official feedback channel: https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/2158-2170-w-1-ave
4. Contact your city council members: Urge them to stand up for Kitsilano and reject this inappropriate development.
5. Attend public meetings: Make your voice heard in person and show the strength of community opposition.

Together, let's protect Kitsilano and ensure that Vancouver remains a city where communities thrive, not just towers.

Sign and share to make a difference!