Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee

The committee works to preserve and protect the heritage and character of the historic Chinatown area. 

COVID-19 update: online meetings

We've transitioned to virtual advisory body meetings as an interim response to the health emergency. These meetings are convened by electronic means as authorized by Ministerial Order No. M192, Local Government Meetings and By-law Process (COVID-19) Order No. 3.

Virtual meetings use Cisco WebEx Events. No software download is required. Use the link below to view the meeting live through your web browser. 

A link to join the live meeting broadcast is posted 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

Next meeting: Thursday, April 8 at 5:30pm​​​​​​​

Online Meeting Password: chapc2021

Join the meeting

Join by phone (audio only)

1-604-646-8916
1-855-699-3239 (Canada - toll free)

Access code: 187 483 7880

Consent - Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy

To view or participate in meetings virtually, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information outside Canada as described below. The City of Vancouver collects your personal information in accordance with section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for purposes of organizing and administering advisory body meetings. For virtual advisory body meetings, your contact information will be shared with the City’s web conferencing provider, Cisco WebEx. Information submitted to WebEx will be stored on servers in the United States and may be accessed in the United States or internationally for technical support purposes. If you have questions about the collection of this information, please contact the director of access to information and privacy by emailing privacy@vancouver.ca, phoning 3-1-1, or mailing a letter to 453 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1V4.

Following the meeting, minutes will be posted online and can be found in the ‘Meetings’ tab below.

Terms of reference

The committee works to preserve and protect the heritage and character of the Chinatown area (zones HA-1 and HA-1A) by:

  • Advising the Director of Planning on matters relating to Chinatown
  • Working with all City departments to develop and implement policies and programs that affect Chinatown

Meeting frequency

Meetings are generally held on the second Thursday of each month, except August, at 5:30pm. Meetings take place in the Board Room of the Chinese Cultural Centre at 50 East Pender St, Vancouver.

Time commitment

Monthly meetings last about 3 hours each. Members may also serve on subcommittees which are formed from time to time. Preparation for all meetings is required.

Attendance requirement

Member may miss no more than four consecutive meetings without obtaining leave of absence from the committee. Membership will be terminated following the fourth such absence.

Membership

The committee consists of 13 members from the following groups:

  • Architectural Institute of British Columbia (two members)
  • Chinatown Merchants Association (two members)
  • Chinatown property owners (two members)
  • Chinese Cultural Centre (one member)
  • Chinese Benevolent Association (one member)
  • Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society (one member)
  • Heritage Vancouver (one member)
  • Planning Institute of British Columbia (one member)
  • SUCCESS (one member)
  • Member-at-large (one member)

Membership of the committee will be inclusive of low income residents.

Members are appointed by City Council for one-year and two-year terms. A newly-elected Council may reappoint members in a one-year term for one additional year. No member may serve more than four years.

Terms expiring December 31, 2020 (or until successors are appointed):

  • Albert Lam (Heritage Vancouver)
  • Andrew Larigakis (Architectural Institute of British Columbia)
  • Fang Liu (Architectural Institute of British Columbia)
  • Sarah Ling (Member-at-Large)
  • Edmund Ma (Chinatown Property Owner)
  • Inge Roecker (Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society)
  • Leslie Shieh (Planning Institute of British Columbia)
  • Eric Siu (Chinatown Property Owner)
  • Grace Wong (Chinatown Merchants Association)
  • Michael Yu  (Chinatown Merchants Association)
  • Vacant (Chinese Benevolent Association)
  • Vacant (Chinese Cultural Centre)
  • Vacant (SUCCESS)

Liaisons

  • City Council: Councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung
  • Park Board: Commissioner John Coupar
  • Vancouver School Board: Trustee Allan Wong

Meetings, agendas, and minutes

Resources for advisory committee members

Chinatown's revitalization plan

Downtown

All about Vancouver's Downtown neighbourhood: City news, events, and roadwork; public consultation opportunities; local services and amenities.

Contact the Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee

chapc@vancouver.ca

Staff contacts
Amber Knowles
Heritage Planner

Phone: 604-829-9260