We live on Fifth Street and have been in receipt of emails and petitions regarding the OCP changes. Open communication is good and people can only make informed decisions when they have accurate information and hear both sides.
Having read everything that has come our way, we are supportive of the proposed changes to our street. You may shrug and say, well, you're on the other side of Fifth Street so you're not directly affected. Fair enough, but we'd feel the same way if our side of the street was included too.
Change is hard, but change must happen. Even if New West was not legally required to accommodate growth as per the Metro Van Regional Growth Strategy, they have a moral and ethical obligation to do so. If the city took the community-wide NIMBY stance of "we won't change, other communities need to accommodate the growth," what kind of a world would we be living in?
We are so thankful that it was just sheer luck and timing that we were able to get into the market and buy a single-family home before prices skyrocketed. Families nowadays are aiming for townhouses or duplexes at best.
Telling folks to go somewhere else is not a viable solution. Telling people, sorry, I've got my house and your housing problems aren't my concern, is not a viable solution. Telling other neighbourhoods or cities to absorb the density so we stay status quo is not a viable solution.
We all want what is best for as many people as possible. A strong, vibrant community is one that has a range of housing options - size and affordability-wise. The "missing middle" is a real concern. Even on a personal basis - our housing needs change over time. Our financial situation changes over time. Our preferences may change over time. Condos for singles, couples and retirees; duplexes and townhouses for growing families; laneway homes to accommodate aging parents or grown kids who can't quite fly the coop.
We need this range of housing.
People shouldn't have to leave their community when their circumstances change. And, yes, that means somebody's single-family home will get turned into townhouses. Basic urban planning tells us that needs to happen along major transit corridors - Fifth Street by default is the backside of Sixth Street.
Such is life.
We realize this is an extremely contentious issue that has pitted neighbour vs. neighbour. And we also fully realize that this may mean that relationships could become awkward. We most certainly hope they do not. When we walk by and say hello, we hope you will still feel inclined to do the same.
Deanna Tan and David Francoeur, New Westminster
