Vancouver Park Board Commissioner Seeks Formal Role in Stanley Park Hotel Review
Vancouver Park Board Commissioner Brennan Bastyovanszky has initiated a motion demanding that the board receive an official briefing regarding a contentious hotel development proposed adjacent to Stanley Park. The independent commissioner, who previously served with ABC Vancouver, is pushing for the park board to have a formal voice in evaluating the potential impacts of this significant construction project.
Motion Calls for City Staff Briefing on Development Impacts
Bastyovanszky's motion, scheduled for a vote on March 9, specifically requests that City of Vancouver staff provide the park board with detailed information about the proposed development. According to the commissioner, while park board planners can offer feedback through internal city review channels, there is currently no established public forum for the board to examine or debate how adjacent non-park developments might affect park lands and operations.
"The proposed redevelopment is located immediately adjacent to Stanley Park, raising potential implications for park access, traffic circulation, emergency egress, pedestrian and cycling safety, environmental interface, and heritage trees along the park boundary," Bastyovanszky wrote in the motion document.
Details of the Controversial Hotel Proposal
Langley-based developer Marcon has submitted plans to construct a 25-storey hotel tower at 2030 Barclay Street, replacing the existing four-storey Rosellen hotel built in the 1950s. The site sits just two buildings east of Stanley Park and requires rezoning approval to proceed. The development proposal includes:
- A three-storey podium supporting a 25-storey tower
- 227 extended-stay accommodation units
- 65 short-term hotel rooms
- 70 underground parking stalls
The rezoning application acknowledges that the project does not fully comply with existing West End zoning bylaws but argues it aligns with the "primary intent" of Vancouver's revised hotel development policy. This policy encourages site-specific rezonings to increase hotel capacity without displacing residential housing.
Significant Public Opposition Emerges
Public consultation has revealed substantial resistance to the development proposal. According to city staff reports, 6,818 people visited a project explanation website, with 822 submitting comments. Among those comments, 83 percent expressed opposition, primarily citing concerns about neighborhood character, increased traffic, and parking challenges.
Additionally, city staff received approximately 499 direct emails and letters regarding the proposal, with about 480 opposing the application. An organized opposition group called Stop 2030 Barclay has already presented the city with a petition containing 5,700 signatures against the development.
Council Response and Upcoming Hearings
Earlier this month, Vancouver City Council expressed general support for the project but recommended it proceed to public hearing. The initial hearing occurred on February 19, but due to substantial public interest, a second hearing has been scheduled for March 5.
Bastyovanszky's motion emphasizes the need for the park board to understand how the development might affect traffic patterns and environmental conditions around Stanley Park. The commissioner's request for formal involvement reflects growing concerns about preserving the integrity of one of Vancouver's most iconic green spaces amid increasing urban development pressures.
