Listed below are events in Grandview-Woodland of relevance to people who live and work in the neighbourhood.

7pm–9pm Mon 6 May 2013:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda likely to include:

  (1)   Community announcements.

  (2)   Constable Mike Lemon, Grandview-Woodland Neighbourhood Police Officer, on community policing/community safety.

  (3)   Planner Andrew Pask with an update on the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan.

6:30pm–8:30pm Tue 30 Apr 2013:   Provincial Election Forum for Candidates from Vancouver–Mount Pleasant.   Location:   Britannia Secondary School Auditorium, 1001 Cotton Drive.   Event sponsors:   Britannia Community Services Centre Society, Ray-Cam Co-operative Association, Britannia Elementary Parent Advisory Committee, Britannia Secondary Parent Advisory Committee, Grandview-Woodland Community Policing Centre, Grandview-Woodland Area Council, Network of Inner City Community Services Society, and OUR PLACE.   Poster for the event (PDF).

  (Another Vancouver–Mount Pleasant candidates forum is taking place 6pm–8pm Thu 2 May at Ray-Cam Co-operative Centre, 920 E. Hastings Street.)

  Childminding will be available for 3 years and older; please contact the Centre (604-718-5800 for Britannia, 604-257-6949 for Ray-Cam) and leave your name, number and ages of children prior to 3:00 pm on the day of the forum.

7pm–9pm Mon 8 Apr 2013 (not 1 Apr):   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.

  First part:   GWAC Annual General Meeting.   Up to twelve directors to be elected, who live or work in Grandview-Woodland.   If you wish to run for the GWAC Board, bring proof of residency or workplace (a piece of ID or mail) and be ready to make a one-minute maximum stump speech.   GWAC Directors need to be able to attend GWAC's monthly meetings and can expect a certain amount of e-mail between meetings.   People voting at the AGM will need to bring some proof of residency or workplace too.

  Second part:   Regular meeting (at approx. 7:30):   Discussion of food trucks on the Drive.   The discussion will feature speakers representing four perspectives, followed by general discussion.  Speakers will be from the City, the Commercial Drive Business Society (the local BIA), owners of the Daily Catch food truck, and people with concerns about the food truck being located on Charles Street.

7pm–9pm Mon 4 Mar 2013:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda likely to include:

  (1)   Community announcements.

  (2)   Carmen D'Onofrio, President, Commercial Drive Business Society, on "Commercial Drive Business Society Vision + Design Guidelines" (report prepared for the CDBS in September 2012).

  (3)   Andre Montagliani (owner of Renzo's Cafe, formerly Renzo's Tailors) on food trucks on the Drive.

  (4)   Future of the Viaducts.   A staff report on the viaducts is expected to go to Council in March or April.   See 2 March letter to Mayor and Council about the future of the viaducts and management of traffic in Strathcona and Grandview-Woodland.

7pm–9pm Mon 4 Feb 2013:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda likely to include:

  (1)   Community announcements.

  (2)   Don Klimchuk, Grandview-Woodland Transportation Liaison, City of Vancouver, on transportation issues in Grandview-Woodland (e.g., the viaducts, Malkin connection, Broadway corridor mass transit, bike lanes).

  (3)   Lindsay Brown, co-founder of the "Vancouver Loves the Waldorf" group, on the Waldorf Hotel situation.

  (4)   Grandview-Woodland Community Plan update.

• Upcoming plan events:   World cafés on Parks & Public Space on Sat 3 Feb and on Transportation on Wed 13 Feb and Sat 16 Feb.   All cafés are free but require registration through eventbrite (click on café date for event details).   For additional information, see www.vancouver.ca/gw.

7pm–9pm Mon 7 Jan 2013:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda:

  (1)   Community announcements.

  (2)   Speaker:   Historian Jak King on "Grandview: Heritage At Risk."

  (3)   Discussion of community issues possibly including:

• Grandview-Woodland Community Plan update.
  • Upcoming plan event:   A 'Neighbourhood Planning through Dialogue' world café on Heritage & Character, 5:30pm–9pm, Thu 16 Jan at Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 East Hastings Street.   Free but registration required at http://heritageandcharacter-dialogue.eventbrite.ca. There is also to be an event on Parks & Public Space the week of 28 Jan.

7pm–9pm Mon 10 Dec 2012 (not 3 Dec):   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda:

  (1)   Community announcements.

  (2)   Discussion of community issues possibly including:

• Grandview-Woodland Community Plan update.
  • Discussion of the plan's world café event — 'Neighbourhood Planning through Dialogue' on Arts & Culture, 5:30pm–9pm (doors open 5pm), Mon 3 Dec at WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street.   Free but registration required at www.eventbrite.ca/event/3436056337.
  • Issues being addressed by the plan's Process Advisory and Community Engagement (PACE) Group which next meets 7pm Tue 4 Dec at Britannia Centre.

7pm–9pm Mon 5 Nov 2012:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda:

  (1)   Community announcements.

  (2)   Discussion of community issues possibly including:

• Grandview-Woodland Community Plan update.
  • Issues being addressed by the plan's Process Advisory and Community Engagement (PACE) Group which meets Tuesday 6 November.
  • The Hastings Corridor.

• GWAC and its relationship to other Grandview-Woodland community groups (people from other community groups are invited to come to the meeting to share their views).

5pn–9pm Thu 4 Oct 2012:   Open house on city-wide policies (drop in).   Princeton Grill, 1901 Powell Street (near Victoria Drive).   Grandview-Woodland Community Plan event.

5pn–9pm Tue 2 Oct 2012:   Open house on city-wide policies (drop in).   Royal Canadian Legion, 2205 Commercial Drive (at 6th Avenue).   Grandview-Woodland Community Plan event.

7pm–9pm Mon 1 Oct 2012:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda:

  (1)   Community announcements.

  (2)   Discussion of community issues including:

• Kirsten Robinson (Central Area Planning Branch), Devan Fitch (Strategic Transportation Planning Branch), and Lon LaClaire (Manager, Strategic Transportation Planning) on questions and concerns that have come out of the Georgia/Dunsmuir Viaducts proposal, alternatives/solutions City staff are exploring, and challenges with the Malkin Connection.

• Andrew Pask with a Grandview-Woodland Community Plan update.

• David Yurkovich on the proposed redesign of playground at Salsbury Park.

12:15pm–4pm Sun 30 Sep 2012:   Neighbourhood walking tour.   Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 East Hastings Street (near Commercial Drive).   Grandview-Woodland Community Plan event.

Noon–4pm Sat 29 Sep 2012:   Open house on city-wide policies (drop in).   The Cultch, 1895 Venables Street (at Victoria Drive).   Grandview-Woodland Community Plan event.

7pm–9pm Mon 10 Sep 2012 (not 3 Sep):   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda:

  (1)   Community announcements.

  (2)   Discussion of community issues including updates on:

• The Grandview-Woodland Community Plan (City web page before and after 8 Aug 2012).

• The Viaducts (City web page before and after 8 Aug 2012).

• The redesign of Salsbury Park.

• The lack of trees outside 885 Salsbury Drive (at Venables).

7pm–9pm Mon 9 Jul 2012 (not 2 Jul):   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda:

  (1)   Community announcements.

  (2)   Speaker:   Vancouver East MP Libby Davies on common issues she hears from Grandview-Woodland residents and how the issues are handled.

  (3)   Discussion of community issues including the "Reconnect Strathcona" campaign by the Strathcona Residents' Association and its proposal for traffic calming Prior Street (7.2MB PDF).

  See also GWAC's 5 July letter to Mayor and Council about the long-term problem of unacceptable traffic volumes on Prior and Venables Streets, and GWAC's proposal for a Venables Greenway to create a sustainable 'bridge' between Strathcona Park and Commercial Drive.   In December 2011, the Greenway was a category co-winner in the re:CONNECT open ideas competition, organized by the City of Vancouver as part of its Viaducts & Eastern Core Strategy planning process (City web page before and after 8 Aug 2012).

Noon–6pm Sun 17 Jun 2012:   Car-Free Commercial Drive, Commercial Drive.   The Drive will be closed to traffic from 10am to 8pm.

7pm–9pm Mon 4 Jun 2012:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda:

  (1)   Community announcements.

  (2)   Presentation and Q&A:   Neal Peacocke and Marnie MacGregor on Transportation 2040, the City's long-term transportation plan.

  (3)   Presentation and Q&A:   City planning staff on the future of the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts (City web page before and after 8 Aug 2012).

  (4)   Discussion of community issues.

5pm–9pm Wed 16 May 2012:   Community Open House (drop in).   Café Deux Soleils, 2096 Commercial Drive.   Grandview-Woodland Community Plan event.   See www.vancouver.ca/mediaroom/news/detail.htm?date=2012-04-26.

11am–3pm Sun 13 May 2012:   Community Open House (drop in).   Waldorf Hotel, 1489 East Hastings Street.   Grandview-Woodland Community Plan event (City web page before and after 8 Aug 2012).   See www.vancouver.ca/mediaroom/news/detail.htm?date=2012-04-26.

10am–noon Sat 12 May 2012:   Keep Vancouver Spectacular (KVS):   Spring Community Clean-Up.   Hosted by the Grandview-Woodland Community Policing Centre (GWCPC) and KVS.   Pre-register by calling the GWCPC at 604-717-2932.   Meet Cathy by the Cenotaph at Grandview Park at 9:45am.   All clean-up supplies provided.

7pm–10pm Fri 11 May 2012:   There’s No Place Like Home: A Grandview-Woodland Community Storytelling Event.   WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street (at Victoria).   Grandview-Woodland Community Plan event (City web page before and after 8 Aug 2012).   Registration required at http://gwplanlaunch.eventbrite.ca.   See www.vancouver.ca/mediaroom/news/detail.htm?date=2012-04-26.

7pm–9pm Mon 7 May 2012:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda:

  (1)   Speaker:   Roberta LaQuaglia of Vancouver Farmers Markets on opening a new seasonal farmers market in Grandview-Woodland (on the parking lot behind Astorino's Catering along Commercial Drive north of Venables).

  (2)   Speaker:   Lewis N. Villegas on "The Density Fallacy: How to add density without towers."

  (3)   Discussion of community issues and announcements.

10:30am Sun 6 May 2012:   Home: An Exploration of What Makes Grandview-Woodland Unique. Walking tour guided by a local resident & urban designer.   Kickoff event for Grandview-Woodland Community Plan (City web page before and after 8 Aug 2012).   Start/end point:   Outside Britannia Library.   No registration required.   See www.janeswalk.net/walks/view/home_an_exploration_of_what_makes_grandview-woodland_unique.

7pm–9pm Mon 2 Apr 2012:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda:

  (1)   Selection of GWAC President, etc.

  (2)   Speaker:   City Director of Transportation Jerry Dobrovolny will speak about the City's new Transportation Plan and other transportation/traffic issues.

  (3)   The Grandview-Woodland Community Plan:   On 28 March, Council approved a 100-page staff report called "Next Community Plans: Terms of Reference."   Appendix A of the report contains the Terms of Reference for the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan (27 pages).   For more about the Community Plan, see the City web page before and after 8 Aug 2012, and GWAC's materials on the preparatory phase and formal launch of the plan.

  (4)   Discussion of community issues and announcements.   (See extra meeting items not discussed.)

9:30am Wed 28 March 2012:   Standing Committee of Council on Planning, Transportation and Environmen, City Hall.   Council approved the 100-page report Next Community Plans: Terms of Reference.   Appendix A of the report contains the Terms of Reference for the Grandview-Woodland Community Plan (27 pages).

7pm–9pm Mon 5 Mar 2012:   GWAC Annual General Meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.

  First part:   GWAC Annual General Meeting.   Up to twelve directors to be elected, who live or work in Grandview-Woodland.   If you wish to run for the GWAC Board, bring proof of residency or workplace (a piece of ID or mail) and be ready to make a 2-minute maximum stump speech.   GWAC Directors need to be able to attend GWAC's monthly meetings and can expect a certain amount of e-mail between meetings.   People voting at the AGM will need to bring some proof of residency or workplace too.

  Second part:   Speaker (at approx. 7:30):   Jenny Kwan, MLA for Vancouver–Mt. Pleasant, on key issues in Grandview-Woodland as she sees them.

  Third part:   Discussion of community issues likely including the upcoming Grandview-Woodland Community Plan:   Update on development of the "Grandview-Woodland Terms of Reference Workbook" (download as PDF) and its consideration by Council, likely in March.   The workbook is based on the Community Plans "General Terms of Reference" (download as PDF).

7pm–9pm Mon 6 February 2012:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library) (Map), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   All welcome.

  Discussion of community issues, likely including:  

  (1)   Angela Davies, Director of Community Care, and Chris Keough, Manager of the drop-in at The Kettle Friendship Society at 1725 Venables, spoke about the potential redevelopment of the 1700 block of Venables, and about the work of The Kettle.   (The Vancouver Courier has reported on the potential redevelopment in articles in its 6 January print edition and 11 January online.)

  (2)   Grandview-Woodland Community Plan:   Update on development of the "Grandview-Woodland Terms of Reference Workbook" (download as PDF) including a report on the Tuesday 31 January Open House about the workbook, and next steps.   The workbook is based on the Community Plans "General Terms of Reference" (download as PDF).

7pm–9pm Mon 9 January 2012:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library) (Map), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   All welcome.

  Discussion of community issues, possibly including:

  Grandview-Woodland Community Plan:   The City of Vancouver will formally launch a Community Plan process for Grandview-Woodland (G-W) in the spring of 2012.   Before this formal launch, Andrew Pask, lead City planner for the G-W Community Plan, will be at January's GWAC meeting to hold discussion and gather some preliminary input on four themes:   (1) issue and asset identification, (2) sub-area geographies, (3) advisory and working group options, and (4) specialized outreach and engagement considerations.

  The discussion will make use of questions from page 1 of the "Grandview-Woodland Terms of Reference Workbook" (which is in development), available as a download.   The workbook is based on the Community Plans "General Terms of Reference" document, also available as a download.   For further information, see GWAC's web page about the Community Plan and the City of Vancouver Next Community Plans web page (before and after 8 Aug 2012).

7pm–9pm Mon 5 December 2011:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.

  Discussion of community issues, possibly including:

  (1)   Heritage:   Update from the Grandview Heritage Group, founded at the April 2011 GWAC meeting, which celebrates the built, natural and cultural heritage of Grandview-Woodland.

  (2)   Port cargo movement:   Report on Port Metro Vancouver's 3 December Open House about its South Shore Corridor Project.  

  (3)   Co:Here housing initiative:   Proposed community housing project at the southwest corner of Victoria and First, involving a rezoning application from RT-5 (Two-Family Dwelling) District to a Comprehensive Development (CD-1) District.

11:00am–4:00pm Sat 3 December 2011:   Open House:   Port Metro Vancouver is hosting an Open House about its South Shore Corridor Project.   Location:   Holiday Inn Express, 2889 East Hastings Street (at Renfrew).   Open House materials, including display boards, a project backgrounder, and feedback form to be posted here by 30 November.

7pm–9pm Mon 7 November 2011:   GWAC meeting, Family Activity Room, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.

  Discussion of community issues, possibly including  

  (1)   Port cargo movement:   Dennis Bickel from Port Metro Vancouver gave a presentation (PDF, 4.2 MB) about the port's South Shore Corridor Project.   Dave Pritchett (ILWU Local 500) on short sea shipping.  

  (2)   Grandview-Woodland Community Plan:   Grandview-Woodland, Marpole, and the West End are to receive Community Plans.   Report on a 15 October workshop to develop a "General" Terms of Reference (ToR).   The "General" ToR will be the basis of a neighbourhood-specific ToR for Grandview-Woodland.   For more information, see GWAC's web page about the next Community Plans and the City of Vancouver Next Community Plans web page (before and after 8 Aug 2012).  

  (3)   Co:Here housing initiative:   Proposed community housing project at the southwest corner of Victoria and First, involving a rezoning application from RT-5 (Two-Family Dwelling) District to a Comprehensive Development (CD-1) District.

6:30pm–8:30pm Tue 1 November 2011:   Forum:   2011 Vancouver Municipal Elections:   Come and Meet the Candidates for School Board.   Britannia Secondary School Auditorium, 1001 Cotton Drive.   Sponsored by Britannia Community Services Centre Society, Britannia Elementary Parent Advisory Committee, Britannia Secondary Parent Advisory Committee, Canucks Family Education Centre, Grandview-Woodland Area Council, Grandview-Woodland Community Policing Centre, KETTLE Friendship Society, MOSAIC - Multilingual Orientation Services Association for Immigrant Communities, REACH Community Health Centre.   Poster (PDF) for this forum and the forums on 25 and 27 October.

6:30pm–8:30pm Thu 27 October 2011:   Forum:   2011 Vancouver Municipal Elections:   Come and Meet the Candidates for Mayor and Council.   Britannia Secondary School Auditorium, 1001 Cotton Drive. Sponsored by Britannia Community Services Centre Society, Grandview-Woodland Area Council, and many other Grandview-Woodland organizations (see entry for 1 November forum).   Poster (PDF) for this forum and the forums on 25 October and 1 November.

6:30pm–8:30pm Tue 25 October 2011:   Forum:   2011 Vancouver Municipal Elections:   Come and Meet the Candidates for Park Board.   Britannia Secondary School Auditorium, 1001 Cotton Drive. Sponsored by Britannia Community Services Centre Society, Grandview-Woodland Area Council, and many other Grandview-Woodland organizations (see entry for 1 November forum).   Poster (PDF) for this forum and the forums on 27 October and 1 November.

5pm–8pm Tue 4 October 2011:   Open House about the Co:Here housing initiative, Lower Hall of Grandview Calvary Baptist Church, 1803 E. 1st Avenue (at Salsbury Drive).

7pm–9pm Mon 3 October 2011:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library) (Map), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   All welcome.

  Discussion of community issues, possibly including  

  (1)   Grandview-Woodland Community Plan:   Grandview-Woodland, Marpole, and the West End are to receive Community Plans. A workshop to develop "Generic" Terms of Reference (ToR) for the plans to be held on 15 October.   The "Generic" ToR will be the basis of a neighbourhood-specific ToR for Grandview-Woodland.   For more information, see GWAC's web page about the next Community Plans and the City of Vancouver Next Community Plans web page (before and after 8 Aug 2012).  

  (2)   Co:Here housing initiative:   Proposed community housing project at the southwest corner of Victoria and First, involving a rezoning application from RT-5 (Two-Family Dwelling) District to a Comprehensive Development (CD-1) District.

6pm Mon 19 Sep 2011:   Public Hearing.   Item 5:   Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA) for 1795 Napier Street — Robertson Memorial Presbyterian Church.   Staff recommended approval of the HRA in their staff report.   Council heard from speakers, staff, and the applicant team.   Council referred discussion and decision to the Regular Council meeting held 20 September as unfinished business.   Approved by Council.   Voting against:   Cllrs Reimer, Cadman, and Woodsworth.   Video clip of the agenda item on 19 September and 20 September.

6pm Mon 19 Sep 2011:   Public Hearing.   Item 4:   Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA) for 1250 Salsbury Drive — The Jeffs Residence.   Staff recommended approval of the HRA in their staff report.   GWAC wrote a letter, dated 18 September, recommending support for the HRA.   Passed unanimously by Council.   Video clip of the agenda item.   For additional information, see GWAC's web page about 1250 Salsbury Drive.

7pm–9pm Mon 12 September 2011:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.

  Discussion of community issues that included  

  (1)   Port truck traffic:   Port Metro Vancouver's 90-day Truck Traffic Pilot Program, which began 25 August, does not allow trucks to use Nanaimo Street.  

  (2)   Co:Here housing initiative:   Proposed community housing project at the southwest corner of Victoria and First, involving a rezoning application from RT-5 (Two-Family Dwelling) District to a Comprehensive Development (CD-1) District.  

  (3)   Grandview-Woodland Community Plan:   Council voted 28 July for Grandview-Woodland, Marpole, and the West End to receive Community Plans.   (Terms of Reference for the plans to be defined first; the plans proper are likely to start in the fall for Grandview-Woodland and Marpole.)   Members of the Mount Pleasant Community Liaison Group (CLG) may be present to speak about their experience with the Mount Pleasant Community Plan process.

7pm–9pm Mon 8 August 2011:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.

  Discussion of community issues, including  

  (1)   Alice Sundberg will speak about a proposed community housing project at the southwest corner of Victoria and First, involving a rezoning application from RT-5 (Two-Family Dwelling) District to a Comprehensive Development (CD-1) District.  

  (2)   Local planning processes:   Council voted 26 July to begin an initial study of the "Eastern Core" (which includes part of Grandview-Woodland) and voted 28 July for Grandview-Woodland to receive a Community Plan.  

  (3)   Port truck traffic, including Port Metro Vancouver's 25 July announcement of a 90-day Truck Traffic Pilot Program to begin 25 August which does not allow trucks to use Nanaimo Street.

2pm Thu 28 July 2011:   Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment, City Hall.   Council discussed the report Vancouver's Next Community Plans.   The report listed Grandview-Woodland as number one in line to receive a Community Plan and recommended that three plans were done concurrently:   Grandview-Woodland, Marpole, and the West End.   Council voted to approve all three neighbourhoods receiving plans.   Video clip of the agenda item.   For additional information, see GWAC's material about the next Community Plans.

9:30am Tue 26 July 2011:   Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic, City Hall.   Council discussed the report Viaducts and False Creek Flats Planning: Eastern Core Strategy.   The report's recommendations included developing "a Terms of Reference for the next phase of more detailed land use and transportation planning for [the Eastern Core]."   The Eastern Core is a new planning area, mostly in Strathcona, that includes all of the False Creek Flats plus 1-2 blocks north of Union Street, east of Clark Drive (in Grandview-Woodland), and south of Great Northern Way (in Mount Pleasant).   Council voted to approve the report's recommendations.   Video clip of the agenda item.   For additional information, see GWAC's material about the Eastern Core.   The City of Vancouver has a web page about the Eastern Core (including False Creek Flats) where people can subscribe to a mailing list on the Viaducts and Eastern Core Strategy (City web page before and after 8 Aug 2012).

6pm–9pm Thu 7 July 2011:   Open House about Britannia renewal process.   Family Activity Room, Britannia Centre.   Video presentations, food and refreshments, live entertainment.   For more information, see www.britanniacentre.org.

4pm–7pm Thu 7 July 2011:   Enhancing Community Plans — Open House, Multipurpose Room 2, Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway (at East 8th).   For more on Community Plans, see the City's web page about Next Community Plans (before and after 8 Aug 2012) and GWAC's web page about High-Level Planning Initiatives.

7pm–9pm Mon 4 July 2011:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.

  First part:   Tony Benincasa (Manager of Logistics and Operations, Port Metro Vancouver) and Lon LaClaire (Manager of Strategic Transportation Planning, City of Vancouver) will speak about the closure of the port's Clark Drive entrance and the increase in truck traffic along Nanaimo Street.

  Second part:   Speaker from Liberty Wine Merchants about its proposal to operate a store at the location of the former Waazubee Cafe, 1622 Commercial Drive.

10am–8pm Sun 19 June 2011:   Car-Free Commercial Drive.

7pm–9pm Mon 6 June 2011:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.

  First part:   Speaker:   Setty Pendakur, professor emeritus of Urban and Regional Planning at UBC, former city councillor and champion of the 1970s fight against the freeway through Strathcona will speak about Vancouver's past and future.  

  Second part:   Discussion of community issues that included (1) Britannia Centre Master Plan update and (2) Community Plans update.

Noon–8pm Sun 5 June 2011:   Italian Day on the Drive, Commercial Drive.  

7:30pm Tue 17 May 2011:   Public Hearing.   Vancouver Council unanimously approved a Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA) for 639 Commercial Drive (the York Theatre).   Video clip of the agenda item.   Staff Summary and Recommendation (9 pages) and Policy Report (50 pages).   The agreement allows Wall Financial Corporation to transfer 106,000 square feet of heritage density to other properties in Vancouver owned by the company.   The theatre is expected to re-open in 2013 as a 365-seat live venue for theatre and music.   See Timeline:   Saving The York Theatre.

7pm–9pm Mon 9 May 2011:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.

Discussion of community issues that included:

(1)   Georgia/Dunsmuir Viaducts.   (A staff report about the viaducts is in the works.)

(2)   Community Plan update.  

7pm–9pm Mon 4 Apr 2011:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.

  First part:   Speaker:   James Johnstone, President of the Strathcona Residents' Association (SRA), on its history, work, and current challenges.  

  Second part:     Discussion of community issues that included Community Plan update — see GWAC web page on Community Plans.

7pm–9pm Mon 7 Mar 2011:   GWAC Annual General Meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   First part:   GWAC Annual General Meeting.   Up to twelve directors to be elected, who live or work in Grandview-Woodland.

  Second part:   Speakers:   Jerry Dobrovolny (Director of Transportation) and Don Klimchuk (Transportation Monitoring Engineer, Engineering liaison for Grandview-Woodland) on upcoming changes to the City's Transportation Plan.

  Third part:   Discussion of community issues that included (1) Community Plans update and (2) proposed casino expansion beside BC Place.   (As of Monday 28 February, about 132 speakers were signed up to speak at the 7 March Public Hearing about the proposed expansion.)

7pm–9pm Mon 7 Feb 2011:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Discussion of community issues that included

(1) Community Plans:   The Planning department is reviewing its community planning processes and will be holding a workshop (slated for 6 February but postponed) where those invited can comment on the review.   A report by the Planning Department is expected to go to Council in mid-March or possibly early April.   The report will likely (a) rank Grandview Woodland number one among five candidate neighbourhoods for a Community Plan and (b) review community planning processes with a view to doing three Community Plans at once.   See GWAC web page on Community Plans.

(2) Vancouver City Planning Commission meeting (scheduled for 12 February but postponed) about Vancouver as a "Sustainable City of Sustainable Neighbourhoods."   The intent is to invite 150 people, including many from Vancouver community groups and other organizations.

(3) Britannia Centre Master Plan and visioning process:   See web pages about the process from Britannia Centre and GWAC.

(4) Development application submitted for 1240 Salsbury Drive/1841 Charles Street site (presently containing 17 rental units), including plans to retain the Jeffs Residence heritage building.

(5) 7pm Wednesday 9 February:   Public forum and rally against casino expansion in downtown Vancouver.   Chinese Cultural Centre, 50 East Pender.   GWAC letter opposing the casino expansion.

7pm–9pm Mon 10 Jan 2011:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Discussion of community issues that included

(1) Community Plan update:   Continuation of the discussion at the December 2010 GWAC meeting attended by approximately 40 people from seven neighbourhoods.   A report by the Planning Department is expected to go to Council in late February (since changed) that will (a) rank Grandview Woodland number one among five candidate neighbourhoods for a Community Plan and (b) review community planning processes with a view to doing three Community Plans at once.   The Planning Department will likely draw on its recent experiences with the Mount Pleasant Community Plan and Norquay Village Neighbourhood Centre Plan.   The Planning department is reviewing its community planning processes and will be holding a workshop in late January (since changed) where the public can comment on the review.   See GWAC web page on Community Plans.

(2) Update on Britannia Centre's Master Plan and visioning process:   See web pages about the process from Britannia Centre and GWAC.

(3) Building height proposals for Downtown Vancouver and the Downtown Eastside (DTES):   A report about height proposals in the Downtown was to be heard by Council on 16 December but has been postponed to Thursday 20 January.   CityHallWatch.ca has published a critique of the report.   Note that what's being proposed is a discretionary height of 700 feet — i.e., more than 700 feet at the discretion of the Director of Planning.   The report about height proposals in the DTES is scheduled to also be heard on 20 January.   Apparently, as many as seven 15-storey towers at the north end of Main Street are being proposed.

6:30pm–9:30pm Mon 6 Dec 2010 (note earlier start and later finish time):   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome; feel free to attend only part of the meeting if you like.

  First part:   6:30pm:   Directors' discussion (open to all).

  Second part:   7:30pm:   Speakers:   Recent City of Vancouver neighbourhood planning initiatives:   Stuart Alcock and Joseph Jones.   Stuart will speak about his personal experiences of the Mount Pleasant Community Plan.   Joseph will speak about his involvement in the Norquay Working Group as part of the Norquay Village Neighbourhood Centre Plan.

  Third part:   Discussion of community issues, likely including:   (1) Update on Britannia Centre's Master Plan and visioning process, including its second survey: Presentation by Cynthia Low, Executive Director, Britannia Centre.   (2) Neighbourhood Community Plans update.   (Grandview Woodland is next in line for a Community Plan.   This is expected be in a staff report to be heard by Council in late February.)   (3) Proposed community housing project at southwest corner of Victoria and First.   These items may also be addressed during the Directors' discussion.

2pm Thu 18 November 2010:   Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment, City Hall.   Mount Pleasant Community Plan.   Council unanimously passed the plan.   The speakers mentioned a proposed 26-storey residential tower at Kingsway and Broadway (by Rize Alliance Properties) and the need for the creation of an immediate Mount Pleasant Area Council (or Community Design Panel) to be involved in the project's design.   In response, Cllr Woodsworth proposed an amendment for a Recommendation C to read roughly "THAT staff include the Mount Pleasant community in their upcoming staff proposals for some kind of citywide representational neighbourhood organization."   The amendment was defeated, with only Cllrs Woodsworth and Cadman in support.   Several Councillors spoke against the amendment, noting that Recommendation B said "THAT staff proceed with the implementation of the Mount Pleasant Community Plan, including ... an investigation of public engagement alternatives for implementing the Plan, in accordance with Plan principles and policies and in consultation with the local community."   Video clip of the agenda item (2 hours, 16 minutes).   See also GWAC information about the Mount Pleasant Plan and the Cityhallwatch web page about the Mount Pleasant Plan.

2pm Thu 4 November 2010:   Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment, City Hall.   Norquay Village Neighbourhood Centre Plan.   Council approved the plan — both the recommendations and three consideration items (Cllrs Woodsworth and Cadman opposed).   The three consideration items were introduced right at the very end of the planning process.   Among the consideration items was increase in height and floor space ratio to 8-10 storeys and 3.8 FSR along Kingsway (from 6-8 storeys and 3.2 FSR)   Video clips of the agenda item:   Part 1 (4 hours, 12 minutes) and Part 2 (1 hour, 27 minutes).   See also GWAC information about the Neighbourhood Centre Plan and the Cityhallwatch web page about the Norquay Plan.

9:30am Thu 4 November 2010:   Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets, City Hall.   A motion, "Neighbourhood Planning Priorities — Options for Increasing Additional Planning Areas," requested staff to look at the implications of doing up to three Community Plans at the same time, and report their findings in an upcoming report on the ranking of neighbourhoods to receive Commmunity Plans.   (Likely ranking:   Grandview Woodland, Marpole, West End.)

  Outcome: Council voted for the motion.   Councillor Reimer, who proposed the motion, agreed to bring the following amendment to the meeting where the staff report will be heard.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT before Council selects the next neighbourhood(s) to undergo a neighbourhood planning process, the community groups in these proposed next neighbourhoods (specifically but not limited to Grandview-Woodlands, Marpole, West End, Fairview and Kitsilano) be given adequate time to assess the outcomes of the current planning processes in Mount Pleasant and Norquay Village, and that these assessments be used in the city's consideration and design of future neighbourhood planning processes;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT rezonings not consistent with existing Community or Local Area Plans or Area Policy Plan development guidelines not be brought forward for consideration by Council while these neighbourhoods are under consideration for a planning process.

7pm–9pm Mon 1 Nov 2010:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.

  First part:   Speaker:   Councillor Geoff Meggs:   "An update of the City's review of the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts:   Issues for Grandview Woodland."  

  Second part:   Discussion of community issues that included   (1) Proposed community housing project at southwest corner of Victoria and First:   Presentation by Alice Sundberg.   (2) Proposal to develop the 1240 Salsbury Drive/1841 Charles Street site (presently containing 17 rental units), including plans to retain the Jeffs Residence heritage building.   (3) Loss of eight rental units at 1857, 1871 and 1875 Kitchener.   (4) Neighbourhood Community Plans update (Grandview Woodland is presently next in line for a plan).

7pm–9pm Mon 4 Oct 2010:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   First part:   Speaker:   Councillor Andrea Reimer on community consultation planning processes city-wide and in Grandview-Woodland specifically.   (In April, council asked staff for a report this fall, recommending the next neighbourhood to undergo area planning of the six neighbourhoods with older plans including West End/Downtown, Marpole, and Grandview-Woodland.)  

Second part:   Discussion of community issues that included (1) ThinkCity's Share the Road project.   (2) Alternatives to Prior/Venables as a truck route in Strathcona:   Presentation by Michael Alexander.   (3) Encouraging independent businesses on Commercial Drive.   (4) Proposal to develop the 1240 Salsbury Drive site at Charles, including plans to retain the Jeffs Residence heritage building.

8pm–late Fri 24 Sep 2010:   25th Birthday Party and Fundraiser for Parade of Lost Souls organized by Public Dreams Society.   W2 Storyeum, 151 West Cordova Street, Vancouver.   Tickets: $25 (includes a $10 tax receipt) https://www.2mevents.com/event/public-dreams-25th-birthday-party-and-fundraiser/store.   (Public Dreams Society is 25 years old this year, but has had its arts and gaming funding cut by $45,000. There will be a celebration of Halloween in the Commercial Drive area this year, but Public Dreams needs to raise $45,000 before Christmas in order for Parade of Lost Souls to continue.)

7pm–9pm Thu 23 Sep 2010:   Town Hall Meeting on Education Cuts hosted by MLA Jenny Kwan, Strathcona Community Centre, 601 Keefer Street.   (Potential implications for Grandview Woodland: Threatened closure of Macdonald Elementary; proposal to make Britannia Elementary and Secondary schools into a K-12 school plus a mini-school with an Aboriginal focus.)   More information: 604-775-0790 or www.jennykwan.ca.

7pm–9pm Tue 21 Sep 2010:   Community meeting to help stop the stink (West Coast Reduction). Family Activity Room, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier. See Stop the Stink Facebook page and GWAC on Stop the Stink.

7pm–9pm Mon 13 Sep 2010:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Discussion of community issues that included (1) ThinkCity's Share the Road project and Grandview-Woodland survey.   (2) Large commercial franchises/chains moving onto the Drive.   (3) Implications of the Mayor’s West End Community Advisory Committee for neighbourhoods like Grandview Woodland.   (4) Update on Britannia Centre's Master Plan and visioning process.   (5) Threatened closure of Macdonald Elementary School; proposal to make Britannia Elementary and Secondary schools into a K-12 school plus a mini-school with an Aboriginal focus.   (See BC Education Coalition page on potential Vancouver School Board school closures.)

7pm–9pm Wednesday 7 July 2010:   (Note meeting is on Wednesday, not the usual Monday.)   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   First part:   Speaker:   MP Libby Davies on her bill for a National Housing Strategy.   Second part:   Discussion of community issues that included (1) 29 June meeting organized by Metro Vancouver about West Coast Reduction Ltd and odour management and (2) Future of the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts.

2pm Thu 24 June 2010:   Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment, City Hall.   3. Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts Study.   Council voted unanimously to spend $300,000 on a first-phase study, with $400,000 to possibly be spent on a second phase.   Video clip of the agenda item (1 hour, 54 minutes).

10am–8pm Sun 21 June 2010:   Car-Free Commercial Drive.

7pm–9pm Mon 7 June 2010:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   First part:   Speaker:   Councillor David Cadman, President of ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability, will speak about the application of his ICLEI work to Vancouver   (ICLEI stands for "International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives.")   Second part:   Discussion of community issues that included (1) Commercial Drive and City trials of separated bike lanes.   (2) Alternative truck routes for Prior/Venables in Strathcona.   (3) Car-Free Commercial Drive on 20 June.   (4) Application to rezone 2250 Commercial Drive passed at Public Hearing; three Councillors opposed.

Noon–8pm Sun 6 June 2010:   Italian Day on Commercial Drive:   Italian food, sports and activities, cultural exhibits, and musical performances, including pizza tossing and grape crushing, bocce and soccer, and art exhibits.

7:30pm Tue 18 May 2010:   Public Hearing.   Hearing item 9 of 10:   Proposed rezoning of 2250 Commercial Drive from C-2C to CD-1.   Agenda for the hearing.   Attached to item 9 is a memorandum from staff, dated 7 May that, as per Councillor Jang's request, addresses the questions raised by GWAC in its 17 April 2010 letter.   Minutes for the Hearing.   Video for item 9:   Part 1 (2 hours 50 minutes) and Part 2 (23 minutes).   Three Councillors voted against the rezoning (David Cadman, Ellen Woodsworth, Andrea Reimer), but the rezoning was approved.   For details about the motion that was passed, and how it fell short of what the applicant had claimed in their rezoning application, see the GWAC web page about 2250 Commercial Drive.

7pm–9pm Mon 3 May 2010:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   First part:   Speaker:   Michael Heeney, partner at Bing Thom Architects, on the future of the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts.   (Bing Thom has proposed taking down the viaducts.)   Second part:   Discussion of community issues that included (1) Italian Days (6 June) and Car-Free Vancouver on Commercial Drive (20 June), (2) Concerns about the Britannia Centre visioning process, (3) Application to rezone 2250 Commercial Drive referred to a Public Hearing at 7:30pm Tue 18 May.

2pm Tue 20 April 2010:   Regular Council Meeting.   The staff report "CD-1 Rezoning — 2250 Commercial Drive" was on the agenda.   The staff report recommended that the rezoning application be referred to a Public Hearing.   GWAC sent a letter to Mayor and Council asking that the report's recommendation not be accepted, noting in particular that the applicant and staff report admit a design is possible that conforms to the existing C-2C zoning, so why rezone?   Councillors Woodsworth and Cadman attempted to give citizens an opportunity to speak to the staff report by referring it to a Standing Committee meeting on Thursday 22 April.   The motion to refer the report was defeated.   The zoning application will likely be heard at the Public Hearing scheduled for 7:30pm Tuesday 18 May.   Minutes of the meeting.   Video clip of the agenda item:   Part 1 and Part 2.   GWAC web page about 2250 Commercial Drive.

7pm–9pm Mon 12 April 2010:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   First part:   speaker:   Assistant City transportation engineer Jerry Dobrovolny to discuss traffic issues in Grandview Woodland.   Second part:   Discussion of community issues that included (1) Rejected call from Grandview Woodland residents for stricter limits on odour from West Coast Reduction Ltd., (2) update on Broadway Corridor/UBC Line planning, (3) Britannia Centre Master Plan and 40–50 year visioning process, (4) Car-Free Commercial Drive on 20 June.   All welcome.

2pm Thu 8 April 2010:   Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment, City Hall.   Referred item 4. West End Visioning Process.   Original motion.   Meeting minutes including the final, amended motion that A. "as part of the staff community planning report slated for fall 2010, staff include an estimated timeline for a West End community plan process, having consideration for overall city-wide community planning needs" and that B. "the City Manager in consultation with the Managing Director of the Social Development Department and the Director of Planning, implement an innovative approach to engage the West End community in an open discussion on issues of community needs including affordable housing."   Video clips of part 1 (3 hours, 47 minutes) and part 2 (1 hour, 26 minutes).

10:30am–3:30pm Fri 26 March 2010:   The Drive to Resilience:   Envisioning the Future of Your Neighbourhood:   A creative dialogue on resilience in the Commercial Drive area.   Themes include cycling, housing, policing and safety, food security, homelessness, art and public space.   Hosted by the Spring 2010 Semester in Dialogue at Simon Fraser University.   WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac Street (at Victoria Drive).   For more information, see http://www.sfu.ca/resilience.

6pm–9pm Thu 25 March 2010:   Open House on Rapid Transit on the Broadway Corridor, Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway (at Main).   Organized by the City of Vancouver.   For more information, see http://former.vancouver.ca/ubcline.   Provide input on draft rapid transit principles for the Broadway Corridor by Tuesday 30 March.

Mon 8 March 2010:   The B.C. Environmental Appeal Board rejected calls from Grandview Woodland residents for stricter limits on odour from West Coast Reduction Ltd.   Ray Robb, Metro Vancouver's district director of air quality, said "the residents had provided very strong evidence to show that air quality was unacceptable."   See the CBC article "Neighbours lose to smelly plant" about the EAB decision and learn more about the residents' concerns.

7pm–9pm Mon 1 March 2010:   GWAC Annual General Meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   First part:   GWAC Annual General Meeting.   Ten directors were elected, who live or work in Grandview-Woodland.   Second part:   Speaker:   Shane Simpson, MLA for Vancouver–Hastings.   All welcome.

7pm–9pm Mon 1 February 2010:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).     Speaker:   Nathan Wiens spoke about the challenges of starting and running a privately owned and operated event venue and gallery in Vancouver (Chapel Arts, 304 Dunlevy), notably about working with community and its regulators, competing with funded venues, illegal venues and of course funded illegal venues.  

Also:   Discussion of community issues that included the proposal to rezone 2250 Commercial Drive (Far East Cinema building) from C-2C to CD-1 District (GWAC has created a web page about 2250 Commercial Drive and sent a letter opposing the rezoning to selected planning staff, Mayor, and Council).   Also for possible discussion:   Grandview Park upgrade, Grandview Woodland Traffic Calming Plan made permanent, and public consultation about Broadway Corridor/UBC Line.   All welcome.

7pm Mon 1 February 2010:   Regular Park Board Meeting, Park Board Office, 2099 Beach Avenue, Vancouver.   5. Approval of Concept and Consultancy Award Grandview Park Upgrade.

2pm Thu 21 January 2010:   Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment , City Hall.   Late Distribution:   3. Grandview Woodland Traffic Calming Plan.   Council voted unanimously to make the plan permanent.   Video clip of this item (16 minutes).

7pm–9pm Mon 11 January 2010 (moved from 4 January) :   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).     Speaker:   Elizabeth Murphy, whose background is in both private and public urban development, will critique Metro Vancouver's Regional Growth Strategy and how it supports TransLink's Hong Kong style model of funding transit through development.   Also:   Discussion of community issues, including the proposal to rezone 2250 Commercial Drive; Grandview Park open house on 19 January.   All welcome.

7pm–9pm Mon 7 December 2009:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).     Speaker:   Andrew Pask of the Vancouver Public Space Network will speak about public-space issues in Vancouver, with special reference to Grandview-Woodland and to the 2010 Olympics.   Also:   Discussion of community issues that included the proposal to rezone 2250 Commercial Drive (Far East Cinema building) from C-2C to CD-1 District (GWAC has created a web page about 2250 Commercial Drive and sent a letter opposing the rezoning to selected planning staff, Mayor, and Council).   Also for possible discussion:   The 4 November meeting of the UBC Line Rapid Transit Study spearheaded by TransLink and the 26 November Summit of Neighbourhoods organized by Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver.   All welcome.

7pm–9pm Mon 9 November 2009:   Public Forum on Olympic Security Issues.   Hosted by Libby Davies (Vancouver East MP), Jenny Kwan (Vancouver Mount Pleasant MLA), Shane Simpson (Vancouver Hastings MLA), Ellen Woodsworth (Vancouver City Councillor).   Guest speakers: Michael Vonn (BC Civil Liberties Association), Laura Track (Pivot Legal Society), Am Johal (Impact on Communities Coalition).   Grandview Calvary Baptist Church, 1803 East 1st Avenue at Salsbury (between Commercial Drive and Victoria Drive).   Poster for the event (PDF).

7pm–9pm Mon 2 November 2009:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   Also:   Discussion of community issues included:   Proposal to demolish the Georgia and Dunsmuir Viaducts or turn them into linear parks and/or bikeways.   Status of the Malkin Avenue Connector from the Georgia Viaduct to Clark Drive across the False Creek Flats.   Proposal to rezone 2250 Commercial Drive (Far East building) from C-2C to CD-1 District.   GWAC has since established a web page about 2250 Commercial Drive and sent a letter opposing the rezoning to selected planning staff, Mayor, and Council.   All welcome.

7pm–9pm Mon 5 October 2009:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.     Speaker:   Alice Sundberg.   Alice, co-chair of the Metro Vancouver Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness, will speak on priorities related to homelessness in Metro Vancouver, with a focus on the Grandview-Woodland area.   The Steering Committee is a cross-sectoral committee consisting of homeless serving agencies, the private sector, and all three levels of government.   Also:   Discussion of community issues that included:   Council's public consultation this fall about reinstating third-party appeals and the route 20 bus service.

7pm–9pm Mon 14 September 2009:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.     Speaker (at approx. 7:30):   Jenny Kwan, MLA for Vancouver–Mt. Pleasant.

  There was also discussion of community issues, including Council's public consultation this fall about reinstating third-party appeals; a wrap-up of Summer Spaces; 1845 Napier; Game Plan 2009 (Winter Olympics); and Home For The Games, a website that enables Metro Vancouver homeowners to provide accommodation to Olympic Games visitors, provided they give at least 50% of the rent to the Streetohome Foundation and Covenant House, charities that aid Metro Vancouver’s most vulnerable citizens.

  GWAC's Directors also approved sending letters to TransLink about the route 20 bus service; to Minister Kevin Kreuger about the provincial government's cuts to libraries, arts, and culture; and to City Council expressing concern about a lack of citizen consultation in Vancouver neighbourhoods without Community Visions, like Grandview-Woodland — community associations like GWAC are not consulted about rezoning matters, whereas Vision groups (in neighbourhoods with Community Visions) are consulted.

6pm–8pm Wed 26 August 2009:   Game Plan 2009 Public Meeting.   Public information session about the 2010 Winter Games, focussing on "activities associated with pre-Games and Games-time operations including venue and transportation operations, security and public safety."   Gym D, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.

11:30am–7pm Sat–Sun 1–2 August 2009:   Powell Street Festival at Woodland Park (705 Woodland Drive).

7pm–9pm Mon 6 July 2009:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Items that may be discussed include Council's Summer Spaces program due to begin 5 July, the Powell Street Festival on 1–2 August at Woodland Park (705 Woodland Drive), Vancouver Native Housing Society's proposal to use 1845 Napier as a Healing Lodge, route 20 bus service, and wrap-up of Car-Free Vancouver Day on Commercial Drive on 14 June.

Noon–6pm Sun 5–26 July 2009:   Summer Spaces event takes place on Commercial Drive (originally scheduled to run to 23 August).   Other Summer Spaces events also happening on Main Street (Noon–5pm Sun 5 July–23 August), Collingwood (10am–2pm Sun 26 July–23 August), and Gastown (11am–3pm Sun 2 August–27 September).   City of Vancouver's Participation Guidelines for Commercial Drive, which will be closed to traffic every Sunday until 8pm (see City of Vancouver Traffic Advisory).   See articles about Summer Spaces by the CBC on 3 June and Vancouver Courier on 10 June.

Noon–6pm Sun 14 June 2009:   Car-Free Vancouver Day on Commercial Drive.   Other sites are Kitsilano, Main Street, and the West End.

7pm–9pm Mon 1 June 2009:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Items that may be discussed include the refusals of applications for a small-scale pharmacy at 1395 Commercial Drive and a proposed residential development at 1643/1649 Kitchener, the 20 bus service, Car-Free Vancouver Day on Commercial Drive on 14 June, Council's Summer Spaces program, and the Powell Street Festival on 1–2 August at Woodland Park (705 Woodland Drive).

7pm–9pm Tue 5 May 2009:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Items discussed included an application for a small-scale pharmacy at 1395 Commercial, Car-Free Vancouver Day on Commercial Drive on 14 June, Council's Summer Spaces program, and the Powell Street Festival on 1–2 August at Woodland Park (705 Woodland Drive).

6:30pm–9pm Mon 4 May 2009:   Provincial Election Forum for Candidates from Vancouver–Mount Pleasant and Vancouver–Hastings.   Location:   Britannia Secondary School Auditorium, 1001 Cotton Drive.     Event sponsors:   Britannia Community Services Centre Society, Britannia Secondary and Elementary Parent Advisory Committee, Commercial Drive Business Society, Grandview Woodland Community Policing Centre, Grandview-Woodland Area Council, The Kettle Friendship Society, and MOSAIC — Multilingual Orientation Services Association for Immigrant Communities.   Poster for the event (PDF).

7pm–9pm Tue 21 April 2009:   GWAC special meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   Recently, concerns have been raised regarding an application to the City of Vancouver to create a small-scale pharmacy at 1395 Commercial Drive.   In response to the concerns, GWAC has organized a community meeting.   Representatives of the application will be in attendance to answer questions.   All interested members of the community are invited to attend.   Article about this meeting in the Fri 24 April edition of the Vancouver Courier.

7pm–9pm Mon 6 April 2009:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Items discussed included an application for a small-scale pharmacy at 1395 Commercial, the Norquay Village Neighbourhood Centre program, Route 20 bus service, Grandview Highway widening, Car-Free Vancouver Day on 14 June, Council's Summer Spaces program, and the Powell Street Festival on 1–2 August at Woodland Park (705 Woodland Drive).

7pm–9pm Mon 2 March 2009:   GWAC Annual General Meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   First part:   GWAC Annual General Meeting.   Twelve directors were elected, who live or work in Grandview-Woodland.   Second part:   Discussion of community issues, including a presentation by Dan Fass about the planned Hastings–Sunrise North Neighbourhood Centre, which will affect north-east Grandview-Woodland.   There was also discussion of a proposed residential development at 1643 and 1649 Kitchener — to be known as 1667 Kitchener Street.  

2:00pm Tue 3 February 2009:   Council Meeting, City Hall, about the proposed rezoning of 1845 Napier Street.   Council voted 9–1 to accept staff's recommendation and reject the proposed rezoning of 1845 Napier to "comprehensive district" (CD-1) for use as a “vocational school” and dormitory.   Video clip of this item (10 minutes long).

7pm–9pm Mon 2 February 2009:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   First part:   Speakers:   Assistant City transportation engineer Jerry Dobrovolny discussed traffic issues in Grandview-Woodland including traffic changes for the 2010 Olympics.   There was also a brief presentation about the Venables Greenway project by Richard Penneway.   Second part:   Discussion of community issues, including the York Theatre, 1845 Napier, and GWAC's AGM in March.

Fri 31 January 2009:   Wall Financial Corporation purchased the York Theatre from Vintage Development Corporation for $2 million.   Wall Financial plans to spend up to $12 million to restore the theatre and then turn it over to the City, in return for a density transfer and possibly other incentives.   After the theatre re-opens in 2011, it is to offer rental space at cost to community groups when the theatre is not otherwise in use.   See Timeline: Saving the York Theatre including media coverage.

7:30pm Tue 20 January 2009:   Public Hearing, City Hall, about the proposed rezoning of 1845 Napier Street, which is the fifth item on the meeting agenda.   Staff's Summary and Recommendation is the same as that of a September 2008 staff Policy Report:   That 1845 Napier not be rezoned from "two family dwelling" (RS-2) to "comprehensive district" (CD-1) for use as a “vocational school” and dormitory.   At a Council meeting on 18 September, Council decided not to accept staff's recommendation and instead voted 6–5 to send the rezoning application to a Public Hearing on 28 October.   The Hearing was postponed until the current January date.   Video clip of this item (2 hours, 57 minutes).

7pm–9pm Mon 5 January 2009:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Speaker:   Enzo Guerriero, the newly-retired Executive Director of Britannia Community Services Centre, spoke about "Fifty years of involvement in Grandview-Woodland life."   Enzo will consider progress made since the 1970s on three topics in particular: local area planning, transportation (the freeway), and expansion of Britannia.

9:30am Thu 18 December 2008:   Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets , City Hall.   York Theatre — 639 Commercial Drive:     An Administrative Report supported the idea of saving and restoring the York Theatre, but only supporting a density transfer of ⅓, leaving supporters of the York Theatre to fundraise the remaining ⅔ before the expiration of the theatre's 120-day protection order on 15 January 2009.   Outcome: Council voted unanimously to support a full density transfer.   Video clip of this item (122 minutes long).   See Timeline: Saving the York Theatre.

7pm–9pm Mon 1 December 2008:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Councillor-elect Ellen Woodsworth (COPE) spoke about the possibilities of a progressive municipal majority at Council.

5pm–10pm Fri 21 November and 11am–6pm Sat–Sun 22–23 November 2008:   12th Annual Eastside Culture Crawl.

7pm–9pm Mon 3 November 2008:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Items discussed included:   (1)   Venables Greenway project.   (2)   Public Hearing about 1845 Napier.   (3) Update about Britannia Centre and the Olympics.

10am–1pm Sat 1 November 2008:   Candidates meetings for Mayor and Council, Britannia Secondary School Auditorium, 1001 Cotton Drive.   Event sponsors:   Britannia Community Services Centre Society, Britannia Secondary Parent Advisory Committee, Commercial Drive Business Society, Grandview Woodland Community Policing Centre, Grandview Woodland Area Council, MOSAIC - Multilingual Orientation Services Association for Immigrant Communities.   Poster for the event (PDF).

7pm Wed 29 October 2008:   Special Meeting of the Britannia Board of Management to discuss and vote on use of Britannia Ice Rink as a practice site for hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics.   Learning Resources Centre, under Britannia Library, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Open to the public.   Outcome of meeting:   The Board voted 8–5 in favour of using the Ice Rink as an Olympic practice facility.

7:30pm Tue 28 October 2008:   Rescheduled date for Public Hearing, City Hall, about the proposed rezoning of 1845 Napier Street.   A September Policy Report recommended that 1845 Napier not be rezoned from "two family dwelling" (RS-2) to "comprehensive district" (CD-1) for use as a “vocational school” and dormitory.   At a Council meeting on 18 September, Council voted to send the rezoning to a Public Hearing.   Outcome of 28 October meeting:   The Hearing was postponed until 2009.   Speakers will need to re-register for the rearranged Hearing.

7pm–9:30pm Tue 28 October 2008:   Candidates meetings for Park Board and School Board, Britannia Secondary School Auditorium, 1001 Cotton Drive.   Event sponsors:   Britannia Community Services Centre Society, Britannia Secondary Parent Advisory Committee, Commercial Drive Business Society, Grandview Woodland Community Policing Centre, Grandview Woodland Area Council, MOSAIC - Multilingual Orientation Services Association for Immigrant Communities.   Poster for the event (PDF).

10am–12pm Sun 26 October 2008:   Public information session, Britannia Ice Rink.   Hear about the final proposal from VANOC for improvements to the rink, should it be designated as a practice site for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

6:30pm–10:30pm Sat 25 October 2008:   Parade of the Lost Souls.   Location: Grandview Park.   Procession at 7pm.

7:30pm Thu 16 October 2008:   Original date for Public Hearing, City Hall, about the proposed rezoning of 1845 Napier Street.   The proposed rezoning was item #6, but Council got to just item #3 this evening.

7pm–9:30pm Tue 7 October 2008:   2008 Federal Election Vancouver East Candidate's Forum.   Location:   Britannia Secondary School Auditorium, 1001 Cotton Drive.   Candidates present:   Mike Carr (Green Party), Libby Davies (New Democratic Party), Anne Jamieson (Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada), Ryan Warawa (Conservative Party).   Event sponsors:   Britannia Community Services Centre Society, Grandview Woodland Community Policing Centre, Grandview-Woodland Area Council, and MOSAIC — Multilingual Orientation Services Association for Immigrant Communities.   Poster for the event (PDF).

7pm–9pm Mon 6 October 2008:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   First part:   "How the Historic York Theatre Is Being Saved."   Speaker:   Tom Durrie.   Tom, founder and head of the Save the York Theatre Task Force, talked about recent successes in the 27-year campaign to save the historic 1913 theatre at 639 Commercial Drive from demolition and restore its original appearance while furnishing it with modern equipment.   For more information, see Timeline:   Saving The York Theatre.   Second part:   Discussion of community issues that included:   (1)   Proposed rezoning of 1845 Napier Street from "two family dwelling" (RS-2) to "comprehensive district" (CD-1), to be determined at a Public Hearing at City Hall, scheduled for 7:30pm Thursday 16 October.   See descriptions of Public Hearing and earlier Council Planning and Environment Committee meeting.   (2)   Report about presentation to the Vancouver Planning Commission on Wednesday 10 September by GWAC Directors Richard Penneway and Mike Carr about the Venables Greenway project.

2:30pm Thu 18 September 2008:   Standing Committee of Council on Planning and Environment , City Hall.   1845 Napier rezoning:     A Policy Report recommended that 1845 Napier Street not be rezoned from "two family dwelling" (RS-2) to "comprehensive district" (CD-1) for use as a “vocational school” and dormitory.   Outcome:   Council voted six to five to send the rezoning to a Public Hearing at City Hall, scheduled for 7:30pm Thursday 16 October.   Video clip of this item (18 minutes long).

9:30am Thu 18 September 2008:   Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets, City Hall.   Saving the York Theatre from demolition:   An Administrative Report recommending that "the exterior and interior of the York Theatre, at 639 Commercial Drive, to have heritage value meriting conservation"   Outcome:   Council voted ten to one to grant 120 days of protection to the York Theatre while a feasibility study is developed.   Video clip of this item (53 minutes approx.).   See also 4 September Georgia Straight article about the York Theatre.

7pm–9pm Mon 8 September 2008:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   First part:   "Non-Market Housing, Grandview-Woodland and EcoDensity — A Good Fit?"   Speakers:   Natasha Jategaonkar and Darren Kitchen.   Natasha, Research Director of the BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA), outlined BCNPHA services and provide some recent research data on current non-profit housing initiatives.   Darren, Government Relations Director of the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC), talked about his work with the City of Vancouver to ensure that co-operative housing remains viable for Vancouver.   Poster for the talks (PDF).   Second part:   Discussion of community issues.   Among the 30 or so who attended were MP Libby Davies (Vancouver East), MLA Shane Simpson (Vancouver–Hastings), a representative for MLA Jenny Kwan (Vancouver – Mount Pleasant), and two people seeking election to City Council:   Michael Geller and Andrea Reimer.

7pm–9pm Mon 7 July 2008:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Items discussed included:   (1)   Car-Free Vancouver Day review.   (2)   EcoDensity review.   (3)   Plans for fall GWAC meetings (including discussion of affordable housing in September).

Noon–6pm Sun 15 June 2008:   Car-Free Vancouver Day on Commercial Drive. There will also be Car-Free Day events in Kitsilano, Main Street, and the West End.   Web page for getting involved.

7pm–9pm Mon 2 June 2008:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   First part:   Meeting guests:   Mel Lehan and Reuben Anderson on EcoDensity.   Mel is a member of Neighbourhoods for a Sustainable Vancouver. Reuban is a sustainability consultant and worked for the City of Vancouver on the EcoDensity initiative.   Second part:     Community issues discussed included:   (1)   Britannia Centre and the 2010 Winter Olympics.   (2)   Commercial Drive’s part in Car-Free Vancouver Day on Sunday 15 June.   (3)   Application to rezone 1845 Napier Street from "two family dwelling" (RS-2) to "comprehensive district" (CD-1).

7pm–9pm Mon 12 May 2008:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Community issues discussed included:   (1)   EcoDensity.   (2)   Commercial Drive’s part in Car Free Vancouver Day on Sunday 15 June.   (3)   Britannia Centre and the 2010 Winter Olympics.   GWAC passed a motion (unanimous with one abstention), supporting improvements to the ice rink, but asking that Britannia Board withdraw from negotiations with VANOC regarding the use of the rink as a practice venue.   (4)   Affordable housing in Grandview-Woodland.   Affordable housing is tentatively to be the main topic at September's GWAC meeting.   Note:   This meeting was moved from 5 May because of the meeting about Britannia Ice Rink and the Winter Olympics (see below).

7pm–9pm Mon 5 May 2008:   Public meeting and information session, Britannia Secondary School Auditorium, 1001 Cotton Drive.   Under discussion:   Consideration of use of Britannia Ice Rink as a practice site for hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

7pm Mon 21 April 2008:   Arts community meeting about Britannia Centre’s Master Plan, Learning Resources Centre, under Britannia Library, 1661 Napier Street. All welcome.   The Master Plan is for an $18.3m upgrade to the community centre, including a proposed new Arts & Culture Building to contain a microtheatre, art gallery, ceramics studio, dance studio, meeting rooms, and more.

7pm Mon 7 April 2008:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Community issues discussed included:   (1)   EcoDensity.   (2)   Car Free Vancouver Day on Sunday 15 June. (3)   Application to rezone 1845 Napier Street from from "two family dwelling" (RS-2) to "comprehensive district" (CD-1).   (4)   Traffic issues in the area of 7th Ave and McLean. (5)   Remembering the late Isobel Kiborn, who used to attend GWAC meetings.

7:30pm Fri 14 March 2008:   Grandview Calvary Baptist Church, 1803 First Avenue (one block east of Commercial Drive). Giants Leap / À pas de géants, a documentary film about contemporary real estate development in Vancouver. Written, directed and produced by Florence Debeugny and Lynsey Hamilton. Canada, 2007, 57 minutes. Followed by a discussion about present development in Vancouver. Filmmakers will be in attendance. A voluntary donation goes to costs and filmmakers. Two-page flyer of the event.

7pm Mon 3 March 2008:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   First part:   Community issues, included discussion of:   (1)   Special Council Meetings to hear from the public (151+ speakers) about the "Draft Vancouver EcoDensity Charter and Draft Initial Actions" (26-27 Feb, 3-4 and 13 Mar, etc).   (2)   Application to rezone 1845 Napier Street from from "two family dwelling" (RS-2) to "comprehensive district" (CD-1).   (3)   Traffic issues in the area of 7th Ave and McLean.   Second part:   Meeting guest:   Sue Davies from the Community Engagement Team of Vancouver Coastal Health.

1:30pm—4:30pm Sat 16 February 2008:   Grandview-Woodland Community Health Centre Information fair, Cafeteria (off of the playing field), Britannia High School. www.vch.ca/gwchc

7pm—9pm Thu 7 February 2008:   Grandview-Woodland Neighbourhood Meeting: Rendering Plant Odour Management. Metro Vancouver web pages about West Coast Reduction (half way down the page).

7pm Mon 4 February 2008:   GWAC meeting, Learning Resources Centre (under the Library), Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   First part:   GWAC Annual General Meeting.   Second part:   Meeting guests:   Brent Toderian (Director of Planning) and Thor Kuhlmann (Planner), City of Vancouver EcoDensity team.

7pm Mon 7 January 2008:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Meeting guests:   Brent Toderian (Director of Planning) and Thor Kuhlmann (Planner), City of Vancouver EcoDensity team.

7pm Mon 3 December 2007:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.

7pm Mon 5 November 2007:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.   (Map).   All welcome.   Agenda items:   (1)   Highway 1 Expansion.   (2)   Grandview Highway widening — report.   (3)   Olympics — housing.   (4)   York/Raja Theatre preservation.   (5)   Norquay Neighbours/EcoDensity meeting report.

7pm Mon 1 October 2007:   GWAC meeting. 1707 Charles Street.   Meeting guests:   (1)   Ray Robb, Regulation and Enforcement Division Manager Policy and Planning Department, Metro Vancouver (formerly the GVRD) regarding West Coast Reduction.   (2)   Shane Simpson, MLA for Vancouver Hastings regarding the Gateway Project and other provincial matters.   (3)   Representatives from the Citywide Housing Coalition regarding the campaign to ensure the Federal, BC, and City of Vancouver governments keep their Olympic housing promises.

7pm Mon 10 September 2007:   GWAC meeting. 1707 Charles Street.

7pm Mon 9 July 2007:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.

6:30pm—8:30pm Wed 20 June 2007:   Open house on West Coast Reduction's Rendering Plant Odour Management strategy. WISE Hall, 1881 Adanac Street.   Metro Vancouver web pages about West Coast Reduction (half way down the page).

7pm Mon 4 June 2007:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.

7pm Mon 7 May 2007:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.

1pm—3pm Sat 28 April 2007:   Beyond Gateway: Climate Change and Real Alternatives to Highway Expansion. WISE Hall, 1882 Adanac, FREE, Music, Guest speakers, traffic sign painting, creating Solutions. See media release and poster.

7pm Mon 2 April 2007:   GWAC meeting, Conference Room of the Information Centre building, Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.