Flawed shadow diagrams lead to wrong conclusions. Two case studies – 8120-8168 Lord Street buildings (rezoning Public Hearing Tues 12-Dec) *will* shade the schoolyard, and nearby 8175 Cambie tower shadow study was wrong too.
Shadow diagram March 20, 10am at 8120-8168 Lord Street and 540 West 65th Avenue. New shadows would fall on the schoolyard (spring equinox) if this rezoning is approved and the building built.
Preface: Our society functions based on trust, but trust needs to be verifiable. CityHallWatch often works to verify information and facts presented, and where a disparity turns up, we are often left with a question: Was it intentional or was it incompetence? If the former, there should be serious institutional consequences. If the latter, errors should be rectified and administrative steps taken to prevent recurrence. Ultimately, the buck stops at the City Manager, and then the Mayor, to ensure things are done right.
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When it comes to shadows affecting the health and the quality of life of citizens, an extra level of care is merited. This is especially true if a there is a rezoning application before the public and City Council for a building that would be directly across a narrow street from a children’s schoolyard and a public park. Is it not completely conceivable that there could be a shadow impact? At a minimum, is it not reasonable to expect that a correct analysis be done to see if new shadows would be introduced on a schoolyard?
In fact, in this case study, two six-storey buildings that fit this exact scenario are being considered at a Public Hearing on Tuesday, December 12th, so these questions are very timely.
In preparation of the materials, City staff stated the following in the referral report for the application at 8120-8168 Lord Street and 540 West 65th Avenue:
The referral report is by Bryan Wong; Mr. Wong is also the rezoning planner assigned to this application.
