Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee

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

Meeting updates

Please note, this committee is currently inactive due to a high number of member vacancies. For more information, please contact the staff liaison.

Meeting Format:

Civic Agency meetings may be in-person, electronic (as authorized by Section 14.14 of the Procedure By-law), or a hybrid of the two. Meeting agendas and minutes are posted online under the ‘Meetings’ tab below.

Virtual Meeting Platform:

Virtual meetings use Microsoft Teams. No software download is required.

Attending Meetings:

  • To view a meeting online or listen by phone, follow instructions provided below.
  • Join link is made available at least 24 hours before the meeting.
  • For in-person attendance at City Hall, seek directions to the meeting room from Security staff. If arriving after 5:00 pm, enter via the 12th Avenue entrance by using the intercom (this entrance is equipped with a wheelchair ramp).

Note:

Unlike meetings of City Council, there is usually no public speaking option during Civic Agency meetings. Members of the public joining virtually will have their camera and microphones disabled. If you wish to get in touch with a Civic Agency, please see the contact information at the bottom of this page.

Next Meeting Details:

  • Date: TBD (Committee currently inactive)
  • Time: TBD
  • Location: TBD

Joining via Teams:

  • Click

Join the meeting

  • Meeting ID (if needed):
  • Passcode (if needed):

Joining by Phone (Audio Only):

Consent - Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy

Personal Information collected via MS365 Teams Meetings will be used by the City of Vancouver for managing meeting attendance and collaboration under the authority of s.26(c) of FIPPA. Questions may be emailed to the Director, ATIP, privacy@vancouver.ca.

 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 Gastown area (zone HA-2) by:

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

Meeting frequency

The committee generally meets on the third Wednesday of each month, except August. Meetings typically start at 5:30pm and run for 2 to 3 hours.

Time commitment

Members may also serve on the Design Review Subcommittee or on another issue-related subcommittee, requiring about three additional hours a month. Significant preparation time is required for all meetings.

Attendance requirement

Members 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 10 members, representing the following groups in Gastown:

  • Tanya Bennett (community business representative)
  • Lorelei Jiang (community business representative)
  • Adrian Watson (community architect representative)
  • Vacant (local property owner)
  • Vacant (local property owner)
  • Vacant (community resident owner)
  • Vacant (community resident tenant)
  • Vacant (community hospitality representative)
  • Vacant (community engineer representative)
  • Vacant (community heritage representative)

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

Members are appointed by City Council for 1-year and 2-year terms. A newly-elected Council may reappoint members in a 1-year term for 1 additional year. No member may serve more than 4 years.

Liaisons

  • Staff:
    • Elijah Sabadlan, Heritage Planner
    • Rachel Magnusson, Associate Director, Street Activities
  • Council:
    • Councillor Peter Meiszner

Meetings, agendas, and minutes

Resources for Civic Agency members

Contact the Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee

Email: ghapc@vancouver.ca

Staff contact
Elijah Sabadlan
Heritage Planner

Phone: 604-873-7056