housing density

In the insightful episode of the Vancouver Life Podcast we tackle the groundbreaking rezoning legislation poised to reshape the British Columbia real estate landscape. This legislation, referred to as the Plex Plan, is described as the single largest rezoning initiative in the province's history, impacting hundreds of thousands of properties and aiming to significantly alter housing dynamics across the region. The hosts bring on Bill Laidler, a developer with a rich background as a realtor and an impressive portfolio of over 500 units currently under construction, to shed light on the intricacies of this transformative plan.

Laidler provides a comprehensive overview of the Plex Plan, detailing how it intends to convert single-family lots into multiplex units, thus facilitating a new wave of housing development aimed at addressing the critical housing shortage in the province. He discusses the strategic advantage of homeowners becoming civilian developers through this plan, emphasizing the critical importance of collaborating with seasoned professionals to navigate the complex development landscape successfully. This collaboration is vital to avoid the common pitfalls that can arise during the development process, such as planning and zoning challenges, construction missteps, and financial risks.

The conversation delves into specific aspects of the Plex Plan, including the criteria for property eligibility, exemptions, and the anticipated effects on property values and urban infrastructure. Laidler highlights the proactive measures property owners should consider, such as waiting for more clarity from municipal bylaws before embarking on development projects and the potential benefits of being early adopters in the market.

Moreover, the discussion touches upon the broader implications of such a legislative shift, including comparisons with similar housing initiatives in other parts of the world, like New Zealand, where a comparable approach to multiplex development led to notable changes in housing affordability and market dynamics. Laidler points out the potential for significant shifts in community planning, infrastructure needs, and the overall character of neighborhoods as a result of increased density.

Parking regulations, an aspect of urban development that directly impacts the livability and accessibility of neighborhoods, also come under scrutiny. The podcast explores how the Plex Plan addresses parking requirements for new developments.

Laidler shares insights into the strategic considerations for property owners contemplating development under the Plex Plan, including the financial and logistical aspects of partnering with developers, the timing of project initiation, and the importance of market readiness.

In wrapping up, the Vancouver Life Podcast episode emphasizes the monumental impact of the Plex Plan on British Columbia's housing market, offering a nuanced understanding of the opportunities and challenges it presents. Bill provides valuable advice for homeowners and potential developers, underscoring the need for careful planning, professional guidance, and a strategic approach to navigating the forthcoming changes in the real estate landscape.

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Labour MP for Ōhāriu Greg O'Connor and National MP for Pakuranga Simeon Brown join Nick Mills for Politics Wednesday.

Over the hour they debate investment in road maintenance, National withdrawing its support from the  bipartisan agreement with Labour on housing density, and more money going into fog cannons and apprenticeship support.

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National have backtracked from a bipartisan agreement with Labour to address the housing shortage on their own terms.

Under a National-led government, councils will be able to opt out of the Medium Density Residential Standards and have the option to either increase density or develop farmland.

NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan says National have used this backtrack to 'sandbag' Labour at their recent party Congress.

She says that commentators agreed Labour hadn't come out with any new policies and National took the agenda forward.

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Belief Labour could have to revise its housing density plans in line with National, after the opposition's U-turn on a bipartisan housing deal.

National says it'll let councils opt out of the high density policy, even though it helped design the legislation.

Megan Woods wrote to National on Saturday- just before it abandoned the 2021 agreement.

Christchurch City Councillor Sam MacDonald says Labour will have to back down.

He says given the policy is so unpopular and the polls are so tight, Labour won't have a choice.

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National can call it what they like, they can say it’s a refinement, they can say it’s a sensible change; they can say it’s more ambitious.

But it’s a back down. They’ve backed down on their support of the housing density law.

Good. They should never have signed up to that idea in the first place. It was stupid 

Just think about what it actually meant for you. Your neighbour could knock down their house and replace it with up to three houses, each three storeys high- without consent. 

Whoever thought that was going to be popular with homeowners needs to have another think.

And here’s the thing: homeowners, or people who are ambitious to become homeowners, will account for a lot of National’s support base.

So they only annoyed their own voters. 

For probably the last week and a bit, I have been asking people what they think is going wrong for National.

Why National keeps making so many silly calls that they have to back down from, or tidy up, or clarify, that they run the risk of losing an unlosable election.

And I reckon I've got to the bottom of at least part of the problem.

They can’t tell us what they stand for, because they don’t know what they stand for.

Because I think there are some key people in the National Party who are actually embarrassed by the National Party.

They're embarrassed by the Nats’ traditional ‘tough on crime’ rhetoric; they're embarrassed by the Nats’ protection of home owners, they're embarrassed by ruling out the Maori Party in case they get labelled racists by the kookies on the left.

They’re essentially embarrassed to be conservatives, I think, or to be in a party with conservatives. 

Which would explain why National is basically indistinguishable from Labour right now. Because these people belong in Labour.

The Nats need to understand there’s nothing embarrassing about being conservative. 

It’s probably become something of a fuddy-duddy label in central Wellington and among hip young Gen Z-ers. 

But if you’re a home owner who is sick of watching ram raids and smash and grabs and you're among the 96 percent of NZ who don’t intend to vote for the Maori party, you probably don’t mind a bit of conservative politics. 

As much as having to back down sucks for National, it's good for them. 

Because it’s probably what their voters want- and aren’t embarrassed to say they want.

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The National Party's new housing policy comes with strong conditions for councils.

The opposition has had an about-face on the bipartisan Medium Density Residential Standards allowing three storey housing in all residential areas

Under National's new policy, councils have the option to exclude certain areas from housing development.

Housing spokesperson Chris Bishop says councils still have the chance to use the Medium Density Residential Standards.

"What we are saying is- you can exempt particular areas if you'd like to, but you've got to find the growth elsewhere. In fact, you've got to find even more growth than before."

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Tonight on The Huddle, Cas Carter from Cas Carter Communications and Ben Thomas from Ben Thomas PR joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! 

Rock 'n roll icon Tina Turner died in Switzerland aged 83, and tributes are flowing in. What are our best memories of her?

Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is denying that Budget 2023 will prove inflationary, at least in the year ahead. Is Adrian Orr politically motivated? 

National have announced a u-turn on their housing density policy. Leader Christopher Luxon wants to rethink current settings which allow three storey dwellings on all residential land in the main cities. What do we make of this? Will this alienate voters?

Extinction Rebellion has launched an 'End Urban SUVs' campaign, encouraging people to put emissions rating stickers on SUVs spotted around the Auckland region. Is this effective activism or a nuisance? 

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The new housing intensification bill is generating plenty of discussion, especially following Christchurch City Council's recent rejection of the bill.

The bill concerns construction of property and allows people to build multiple three story houses without established permission.

Both Labour and National stand behind this bill, and National housing spokesperson Chris Bishop is here to explain National's position.

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A win for residents who've been fighting for Christchurch City Council to reject housing density plans for the city, but it's not over yet.

Ten councillors have voted no to the Government’s plans to allow up to three homes of three storeys each on most sections across the city without consent.

Five councillors voted yes, one abstained and one was absent

The council will now write to Environment Minister David Parker to ask that Christchurch be exempt from being a tier one city. 

Riccarton Bush-Kilmarnock Residents’ Association chair Tony Simons told Kate Hawkesby one-size-fits-all isn't appropriate for housing

He says the council is now asking for a bespoke plan for the city, instead of one that was designed for Auckland.

The Government could decide to put a commissioner in place, or appoint a Crown manager, to push through the rules.

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A win for residents who've been fighting for Christchurch City Council to reject housing density plans for the city, but it's not over yet.

Ten councillors have voted no to the Government’s plans to allow up to three homes of three storeys each on most sections across the city without consent.

Five councillors voted yes, one abstained and one was absent

The council will now write to Environment Minister David Parker to ask that Christchurch be exempt from being a tier one city. 

Riccarton Bush-Kilmarnock Residents’ Association chair Tony Simons told Kate Hawkesby one-size-fits-all isn't appropriate for housing

He says the council is now asking for a bespoke plan for the city, instead of one that was designed for Auckland.

The Government could decide to put a commissioner in place, or appoint a Crown manager, to push through the rules.

LISTEN ABOVE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.