Vancouver considers mini-suite zoning law

What an idiot:



Vancouver has no choice but to go up, unless you want to encroach on what little farmland and commercial/industrial property their is left.

And as one can tell from living in downtown (our very own admin Trev), Dense doesn't neccisarily mean cramped. infact, the CoVs requirement for there to be 2.85 acres of parkland for every 1000 people ensures developers provide an abundant amount of space for the general populus. Some argue that downtown isn't taking foll potential of the airspace above it and should be building even higher.



Uh, why not? It's their choice to subdivide and rent out. Those wh would be doing this are the Condo owners who have complete and full control of whatever they ant to do in their living space aslong as it does not comprimise structural integrity of the building.



again, this is all a problem how? it's up to the individual owner if they want to subdivide and rent out part of their residence, it is not like the CoV is FORCING people to do this. As for laneway housing, it is probably the densist development available that still allows people to have their own back lawn. And it can actually be quite comfortable to live in.

if people want to live in spacious subdivisions and not have ready access to transit, they can move to Surrey, or Anmore.

Would you live in a 200 square foot suite?

Actually, I do currently, the room is 14 feet by 14 feet AND I have a roommate. It's one of 96 rooms in this building with 4 communal bathrooms, showers, and dish rooms.

Regardless, as I said, it is not like the CoV is forcing people to live in these places. It is giving the option for people to subdivide if their is a market. If someone is willing to live in an apartment that small, they will move in. No one is being forced to live in a cramped space, so I don't understand why it is a problem for anyone.

And the subdivision is actually aimed at people who buy 800-1000 square foot apartments who then subdivide the apartment into something that is 300-400 square feet. There are condo's currently on the market in Gastown and Yaletown sale that are less than 400 square feet at over $200 000


Correction to my last: Just measured, it's actually 18 feet by 18 feet, but I only have 18 feet by 9 feet to myself, which amounts to about 162 square feet.

I don't think living in barracks is really comparable to having your entire apartment at about 200 square feet. You probably don't have to stuff a kitchen in there as you eat at the mess, and you share a separate bathroom. 200 square feet is the size of my living room, if I had to fit a bed, a bathroom, and cooking facilities in that area I would go crazy and kill someone.

I don't think living in barracks is really comparable to having your entire apartment at about 200 square feet. You probably don't have to stuff a kitchen in there as you eat at the mess, and you share a separate bathroom. 200 square feet is the size of my living room, if I had to fit a bed, a bathroom, and cooking facilities in that area I would go crazy and kill someone.



Anyways, I actually don't eat at the mess. 414 dollars off my paycheque monthly when my grocery bill barely hits 300 without it. The way I have i organised, if I had an extra foot in width and the 2 feet in length (the 2 feet in length I have via my closets), I could fit my bed, dresser, the closets, bedside table with alarm clock, 5.5 cubic foot fridge (which is enough for a single guy), a kitchen table I can use the appliances on (wont get specific here ), and still have enough room in the corner to stuff a stand up shower, shitter, and sink. Yes it is crouded, but it is the life I have lived for 17 months now, and I'm doing just fine.

It is all about the evironment you're used to, and the choice you make. I'm used to living in a small area. I own what I need and disposed of the junk a long time ago. A person coming from a 2000 square foot house couldn't imagine living in 200 square feet, because yes, that is the size of your spacious living room. I too used to have that luxury when I lived with my mom going through highschool. I have chosen a life where I don't need it and I am just as happy for it. Instead of siting on my ass watching the tele, I go out for runs, hang out with buddies from work, and sit here on my laptop.

It's a choice I made, and it is no problem for me. So for the bachelor type in vancouver who needs a cheap place to stay and has no need for the room (family, spouse, etc), a micro apartment could work if he so chooses to take that option.

What the CoV is doing is making that option available to would-be landlords.

Where was that thread of best liveable place in the world again?
There's going to be a flood of rabbit warrens from all the foreign owned apartments.

There's a development proposed in Langford (suburb of Victoria) that's looking at houses as small as 400 sq ft with no appreciable yard. Starting price - 200,000 or so. It'll allow first timers into the single family house market as opposed to condos.

Why not? Lots of war housing around here that was in the area of 600 square feet, and it was good enough back then.

when people had 10+ kids...

I couldn't live in it anymore. But, when I was 20, and left my bf, I moved into an old garage, with bed, bath, kitchen, and living. Garages are 4x6 meters (or so, maybe a little smaller, 3.5)...(12x18ft or something)
It worked for me then, so why not for people now?

I wouldn't want to live in something that small, but I'm sure there are plenty of people who would be willing to. Especially the Young. Makes things much more Affordable, something lacking from the Vancouver Market.

My Apt is only approx 530 sq/ft. Hmm, I wonder if I could Rent out the Living Room?

Who cares if someone wants to sub-divide their own property? It's their's to do with as they wish. Small apartments may suck, but if people are willing to live in them then mores the power to them. Everyone in Vancouver can't live in a 2500 sq ft bungalow.

I wonder if I can subdivide the unused nine acres on the side of my property into 200 square foot parcels? I may have more net worth than Jim Pattison!

hmm, you might be able to, as Garden Lots.

That was about the size of my dorm room in University, I guess my answer would be I already have. And if I was that age again I would. It would not suit my life now though.

Home sweet Home