3/15/10

Mr. Mayor,

As a member of the Code and Policy Revue Committee, I wholeheartedly recommend a repeal of Resolution 926. My main reasoning for recommending the repeal of Resolution 926 is that it would be good to allow appropriate growth outside of just the downtown core.

The Downtown core has a little bit of work to go before it is the vibrant, bustling destination that so many of our citizens want it to be. I too would like to see downtown be a destination for our own constituents as well as Vancouverites and Portlanders. Imagine the success of a downtown that attracts people because of the businesses and culture that they see there. I want that as well.

However, one principle of economics is that when we deal with human behavior, central planners cannot predict where future success will happen.

Instead, government is a negative force that can restrict where businesses can spring up, then hope that businesses will flock to the less restricted area. Resolution 926 embodies a significant restriction, not a granting of success.

Specifically, Resolution 926 states that the “City will refrain from rezoning and/or converting current industrial and residential land to commercial uses that will hamper downtown revitalization efforts.” This resolution does not allow the city to change where the business success might happen, even if there is interest.

On a final note, I do urge cautious wisdom on behalf of my fellow council members and future councils regarding rezoning areas. When we have those discussions, I urge the council to weigh the comments of those affected by the rezoning. I believe we must protect the rights of the individuals over and above the profit motive of additional tax revenues.

I recommend the council repeal Resolution 926. I yield the floor.