The City of Burnaby has once again delayed the implementation of British Columbia’s transit-oriented development (TOD) legislation, which aims to increase housing density around transit hubs to address the province’s housing crisis. Known as Bill 47, the legislation requires cities to boost residential density around major transit stations. While this initiative seeks to make housing more accessible near public transportation, Burnaby officials are hesitant to comply immediately, citing community concerns about neighborhood impacts.
Burnaby’s leadership argues that the city has already met many of the province’s density objectives, especially around high-traffic areas like Brentwood and Metrotown. With significant high-rise developments already completed or underway, Burnaby officials believe the current pace of development aligns with community needs. The city previously requested an exemption from the legislation, which the province denied, prompting this latest deferral.
Councillor Sav Dhaliwal commented on the decision, highlighting ongoing political uncertainty in the province as a factor in the delay. With potential changes in provincial leadership, Burnaby’s council wants to see if new policies might offer flexibility or adjustments to Bill 47, aligning more closely with local priorities.
Meanwhile, the provincial government is urging cities to adopt TOD policies swiftly to help ease the housing crisis, especially in high-demand areas accessible by public transit. The province argues that increasing density in these areas is a crucial strategy for affordable housing development, but Burnaby remains cautious.
The city’s decision has drawn mixed reactions, with some residents supporting the delay to allow for further community input, while others worry that continued deferrals may undermine efforts to address housing shortages near transit hubs.
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