In April, the school shared a communication with parents and staff regarding a rezoning application for 2202โ2212 West 10th Avenue, located at the southwest corner of West 10th Avenue and Yew Street (ๅฆๆ็ฎไฝไธญๆ็ๆฌ๏ผ. The proposal, posted by the City of Vancouver in April, outlines plans from Telus Living and Ledcor Property Investments to replace the current structure with a 25-storey mixed-use rental building.
After investigating the consequences that the proposal may have on our studentsโ school experience, and with the full support of the Board of Governors, we have submitted a letter to the City of Vancouver opposing the application.
Vancouver residents are currently invited to provide feedback on the proposal. A public hearing date will be set when the application is referred at a future Council meeting.
Community Action Requested
The school is asking community membersโincluding parents, staff, alumni and friendsโto send comments to the City opposing the project.
Please go to the rezoning application on the City of Vancouver Shape Your City website and complete the โsend your commentsโ form by July 8. We have provided content for you to submit at the bottom of this email. The form is simple and should only take you two minutes to complete.
Please ensure that your responses are constructive and respectful so that our efforts are focused and effective. This is the first, and crucial, step in a long process. Without your input, we risk losing sunlight in our outdoor play spacesโalong with increased traffic, noise and safety risks that could seriously disrupt our childrenโs school day. If we do not make our voices heard now, our schoolโs landscape will change drastically.
If you have questions or comments for the school regarding this project, please email towerdevelopment@sjs.ca.
2202-2212 W 10th Ave Rezoning Application Comments for Submission
1. The Proposed Tower Is Too Tall for This Neighbourhood
The cityโs Broadway Plan says buildings this height must offer meaningful urban planning benefits like public green space. This project doesnโt. It brings extreme height without adding anything that makes our neighbourhood better or more livable.
2. It Will Block Sunlight From Our Childrenโs Play Areas
SJS (St. John’s School) is directly across West 10th Avenue from the site. The school’s student community is 580 students aged four (preschoolers) to 18. The developerโs own shadow study shows this building will cast large shadows over the schoolyard and playground during the times children are outside for recess and lunch. These spaces are vital for their health, development and happiness. Public school yards are protected from this kind of shadowingโand independent schools should be too. The children deserve the same safe, sunny spaces as every other child in the city.
3. The Trade-Offs Donโt Match the Impacts
The proposal includes rental housing, but only 20% of the units are below-marketโand thatโs just the minimum required for a new building in our area (KBAD) under the Broadway Plan. There are no added benefits like support for local schools, green space or traffic safety improvements. With all the downsidesโloss of sunlight, added traffic, reduced safety for kids and residentsโthis is not a balanced proposal.
4. It Will Create Traffic and Safety Risks for Kids and Cyclists
This building will add more traffic to West 10th Avenue, a narrow one-way street used by existing residents, parents for drop-offs and by cyclists on a designated bike route. That means more congestion and more safety risks for children during busy times. We should be reducing risks around schools.
5. Flexibility in City Planning Should Protect Kids
City staff say the Broadway Plan is flexible. But flexibility should be used to protect children and communities, not just allow taller towers. If a proposal harms childrenโs health or well-beingโas this one clearly doesโthe city should ask the developer to scale it back.
What Weโre Asking
Weโre asking Vancouver City Council to reject the proposal in its current form and work with the developer to create a building that better fits the areaโone thatโs lower in height, preserves solar access and is more respectful of the neighbourhoodโs needs.
