 |
| While the
city’s outgoing Director of Planning Brian Jackson successfully oversaw
approval of new plans for the West End Plan and Marpole, according to columnist
Michael Geller his plans for Grandview-Woodland Plan and the Downtown Eastside
can hardly be considered successes. Photograph By Dan Toulgoet
On Sunday
afternoon I received some interesting news from the City of Vancouver’s
Communication Office: “The General Manager of Planning and Development
Announces Retirement.”
When I
posted on Twitter that I found this resignation and the timing of its announcement
disturbing, a fellow civic affairs columnist asked how I could be disturbed by
someone else’s career decision.
While I
will leave it to fellow columnist Allen Garr to comment on the unusual timing
of this announcement, here is some background.
Brian
Jackson was appointed GM of Planning and Development (a.k.a. the Director of
Planning) less than three years ago. I remember the day since I spoke on CBC
radio in his defense after he was unfairly criticized by former city councillor
Ellen Woodsworth for his work in Richmond, where he was acting GM of
Development Services.
Jackson’s
appointment followed a major international search necessitated by the firing of
the previous planner Brent Toderian. I also
remember Toderian’s appointment since it too followed a major international
search and extensive public discussion that included a May 2006 panel
discussion at SFU.
I
participated in that event titled “What To Look for in a New Director of
Planning,” along with May Brown, Ray Spaxman and Bing Thom. Many noted at the
time that only in Vancouver could the selection of a Director of Planning be
regarded as major news.
But then
again, it always has been.
Gerald
Sutton Brown, the city’s first planning director, was fired in 1973 after 20
years, when TEAM, a new political party led by Art Phillips, swept into power.
He was replaced by Ray Spaxman who arrived from Toronto.
Spaxman,
who now lives in West Vancouver and continues to take an active interest in
planning issues, transformed Vancouver’s approach to city planning with a focus
on community consultation and a concern for “neighbourliness.”
I served
for many years on the city’s Development Permit Board Advisory Panel during his
tenure and developed a great respect for his desire to make Vancouver a more beautiful
and walkable city, with continuous weather protection and “pedestrian interest
at grade.”
Spaxman
resigned in 1988 following ongoing disagreements with then mayor Gordon
Campbell.
Most
people have forgotten about his successor, a fellow named Tom Fletcher who
lasted five years.
According
to Sunday’s press release, Jackson spent the last three years “leading the most
ambitious planning agenda the City has ever experienced.”
Many
old-timers, me included, would strongly disagree with this, noting that during
Spaxman’s term of office, the character of the city transformed dramatically.
He oversaw the planning and development of new communities along False Creek
and Coal Harbour, Champlain Heights and the Fraser River, and incorporated
housing in many areas of the downtown.
While
Jackson successfully oversaw approval of new plans for the West End Plan and
Marpole, his plans for Grandview-Woodland Plan and the Downtown Eastside can
hardly be considered successes.
The
Downtown Eastside is particularly disappointing. Rather than encourage a
broader mix of households and housing types, I fear his plan reinforces the
core of this neighbourhood as a low income ghetto for years to come.
When
Jackson started his position, one of his promises was to greatly improve the
city’s approval process. However, as noted in the recent Fraser Institute
report on municipal red tape, Vancouver remains near the bottom of the list
when it comes to approval times and uncertainty.
What
Sunday’s press release did not say is why Jackson is leaving after only three
years.
During a
CBC radio interview on Monday, he said he decided to leave during a recent
holiday in Paris. At the age of 60, he wanted more personal time for himself.
He also
acknowledged his decision to leave was partly influenced by ongoing criticism,
including a letter signed by former city planners, planning professors,
consultants and associated professionals, myself included.
We were
concerned about a number of inappropriate development approvals and what we saw
as a diminishing respect for the importance of urban design and planning within
city hall.
While I
wish Brian a happy retirement, hopefully the next Director of Planning can more
effectively address these concerns.
Postscript. I am now advised that the Sunday afternoon press release was precipitated by the fact that Frances Bula had learned of the resignation and was doing a Globe and Mail story Monday morning.
Fellow columnist Allen Garr also shares some valuable insight into the story behind this story here:
|
While
the city’s outgoing Director of Planning Brian Jackson successfully
oversaw approval of new plans for the West End Plan and Marpole,
according to columnist Michael Geller his plans for Grandview-Woodland
Plan and the Downtown Eastside can hardly be considered successes.
Photograph By
Dan Toulgoet
- See more at:
http://www.vancourier.com/opinion/here-we-go-again-the-search-for-another-director-of-planning-1.2013290#sthash.GjGFoCqM.dpuf
