Breadcrumb Path Hyperlinks
NewsLocal Information
Report seeks to designate areas and particular momentary constructions for customers, who’ve routinely clashed with officers
Article content material
As Vancouver grapples with an increase in homelessness, the park board is proposing to crack down on what forms of momentary shelters are allowed — and the place — in its parks.
A report back to go earlier than the Vancouver Park Board Monday says bylaw amendments are wanted as a result of “when tents and different momentary constructions … accumulate or stay in place for prolonged intervals of time, they’ll influence public entry to park house and facilities and end in a pressure on staffing and assets.”
Commercial 2
Article content material
Article content material
However these advocating for unhoused residents say the information is upsetting. Housing advocate Fiona York mentioned Saturday she is indignant town is contemplating bylaw modifications with out consulting the individuals who could be affected.
The brand new workers report recommends altering bylaws to permit solely tenting tents or collapsible canopies which are a most of 10 toes by 10 toes and “able to being dismantled and moved by one individual.” It might additionally prohibit development supplies comparable to lumber or fencing.
The prevailing bylaw lacked specificity, the workers report mentioned, main some individuals to claim that tiny constructions with out a basis and that could possibly be eliminated on a trailer have been allowed.
Different proposed bylaw amendments embrace banning the location of momentary shelters below tree canopies or inside seven metres of a lake, seashore, dock, pond or cliff. Employees additionally suggest banning momentary shelters at Queen Elizabeth Park and VanDusen Botanical Backyard.
The amendments are meant to help use by these counting on parks for in a single day shelter, arrange higher hygiene and security outcomes, and enhance relations between park customers and operations workers, the report says.
Dawn
Article content material
Commercial 3
Article content material
The report comes as about 30 individuals have begun to return to a chosen space of CRAB Park after crews accomplished a cleanup of the homeless camp late final month.
Crews cleared constructions that have been outlined as “non-compliant,” a lot of which have been made out of wooden pallets or steel fencing.
Disputes have erupted between homeless residents and park rangers about which momentary shelters are permitted on the park.
Throughout January’s chilly climate, a number of homeless advocates visited the park with supplies to assemble small picket dwellings to switch snow-battered tents. However they have been met with police and park rangers, who claimed that constructing plans didn’t adhere to bylaws.
As of Saturday, York mentioned a number of residents had moved again to the designated daytime tenting space of CRAB Park.
“They’re being rushed to maneuver,” York mentioned, including that just a few had carried out so as a result of they’re permitted to carry so little — solely bedding and clothes.
York mentioned that park rangers have given a number of residents tents instead of the makeshift houses they have been residing in earlier than the encampment was bulldozed — however none have been permitted to carry their mattresses with them.
Commercial 4
Article content material
“The park board lastly agreed to think about permitting cots, however now they want a metropolis designer to sketch out such a regulation cot and what it will possibly appear to be.”
A Metro Vancouver homeless depend launched final fall reported 4,821 individuals within the area with out a dwelling as of March 2023. Half of them have been in Vancouver.
sgrochowski@postmedia.com
Really helpful from Editorial
Park rangers, police block homeless advocates from constructing tiny houses in CRAB Park
CRAB Park residents not transferring, as fences and bulldozers loom
Bookmark our web site and help our journalism: Don’t miss the information it is advisable know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and join our newsletters right here.
You too can help our journalism by turning into a digital subscriber: For simply $14 a month, you may get limitless entry to The Vancouver Solar, The Province, Nationwide Submit and 13 different Canadian information websites. Assist us by subscribing immediately: The Vancouver Solar | The Province.
Article content material
Share this text in your social community
