Onni developer halts V6A construction but still pre-selling condos

ctvbc.ca

A major developer in Metro Vancouver is being investigated by an arm of the provincial government after CTV found it was still selling condos even though construction has been halted at the project.

It's a big name developer, which has been building in Metro Vancouver for decades.

On Thursday, the Onni Group of Companies which is behind the V6A condo complex near Main and Union streets in Vancouver -- said the project has been postponed. But when CTV went to the sales center -- we discovered the units were still being offered for pre-sale -- and perspective buyers were not being told the project was on hold.

Now B.C.'s Superintendent of Real Estate is investigating.

"We have contacted the developer and asked for an update,'' said L. Jay Mitchell, B.C.'s Deputy Superintendent of Real Estate.

"We've indicated they have to make an amendment to their disclosure statement,'' she said. "We're making inquires about the deposits and the status of the project

The situation at Main and Union has not escaped the attention of NDP Housing critic Diane Thorne.

"I could hardly believe what I was seeing and hearing on television,'' she said. "It's the best example I have ever seen of the lack of consumer protection in British Columbia."

Meanwhile, any new protection for presale buyers would start with the B.C. Finance Minister Colin Hansen.

"If there's way we can strengthen the regulation and the procedures developers must follow, we are certainly willing to take a look at those and if we can do it in a way that makes sense, we will certainly be ready to do that,'' Hansen said.

Asked if he will looking into the situation at Onni, Hansen said he likely will. "I will certainly be looking into this particular example to see what lessons we can learn from it,'' he said.

As for the future of the V6A project, on Thursday, Onni's vice-president of development Beau Jarvis said he wasn't sure.

"I wouldn't say there is a timeline at this point,'' he said.

On Friday, Onni's executive vice president Chris Evans called CTV News and said that while he doesn't know when construction will resume, Onni plans on finishing the project sometime in 2010.

He declined an invitation to do an on camera interview.

With a report from CTV British Columbia's Shannon Paterson

CTV Broadcast & more.

Council Approves EcoDensity Charter

Vancouver City Council unanimously voted on June 10 to adopt the EcoDensity Charter.

The EcoDensity Charter commits the City to make environmental sustainability a primary goal in all city planning decisions - in ways that also support housing affordability and livability.

The first two actions to be implemented by the City immediately are:
1. Rezoning policy for greener buildings: Applications for new rezoning will need to meet a minimum LEED™ (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver rating, or similar equivalency in green design. The City will also be expecting that energy performance, water efficiency and storm water use be considered.

2. Rezoning policy for greener larger sites: Changes to rezonings for land that is two acres or more. A number of sustainability measures will be required for these rezonings, and for sites with housing, a range of types and tenures must be considered to increase affordable housing opportunities.

Longer-term actions that will receive priority include: an interim EcoDensity rezoning policy; options for backyard/laneway housing; more options for secondary suites; and removal of barriers to green building approaches.

Council initiated the EcoDensity program in July 2006. The final Charter and Actions incorporated public input from a Special Council Meeting that lasted seven sessions, amongst numerous other public consultation opportunities.

To view the EcoDensity Charter and Initial Actions and for more information: vancouver.ca/ecodensity

Mount Pleasant Salutes Commercial Drive

Mount Pleasant has Main Street, coining the pet acronym SoMa. Our residents enjoy many of the local offerings, and being so close to the centre of everything we enjoy many of the other Vancouver amenities. In celebration of our neighbours launch of Live on The Drive, we salute Commercial Drive and the wonderful commerce, trade, arts, and community that we so love to experience.

Commercial Drive | Live on The Drive | Community | Web Portal

Commercial Drive, affectionately referred to as The Drive, was originally referred to locally as “Little Italy.” Now it's home to a diverse multicultural collection of people, businesses, art galleries, performance venues, coffee shops, and more.

A favorite destination for both tourists and Vancouver-wide locals, Commercial Drive consists of close to 300 businesses that are most often single location, owner-operated, offering a product mix of dining experiences, produce, entertainment and services completely unique to the Drive. Commercial Drive has consistently bucked the trend towards homogeneous franchised malls and big box warehouses.

With a multicultural diversity and vibrant arts community, The Drive is the perfect fusion of community, art, and commerce. Continue reading...

Getting Information to You

Rick Stonehouse is a Vancouver Real Estate Agent that seems to have been born to the business. Myself, I'm a local writer dabbling in various ways that allow me to contribute to my communities.

Getting behind a vision is an easy thing when values line up.

Rick, a prominent Vancouver Realtor, has enjoyed serving thousands of Vancouver residents over the years. His success, in part due to his service excellence, has been made possible by all of these wonderful customers and friends trusting him with fulfilling their home purchase or sale. Seeing proud homeowners experiencing the joy of buying their dream home, and enthusiastic sellers grinning over the equity gained, makes his job very exciting and very rewarding. His values line up, and yes, he enjoys the fruits of his labours.

With an eye to the future and the trends of the public, Rick has taken a pioneer's leap through the development of community portal websites for the neighbourhoods he serves. While it serves a unique business purpose, helping potential home-buyers with their online research, it goes beyond and serves the entire community. The benefits are extraordinary!

Keep watch as the Live In Mount Pleasant site evolves.