The Role of Local Political Parties on Rezoning Decisions in Vancouver (1999-2005)
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Do Political Parties Matter at the Local Level? The Role of Local Political Parties on Rezoning Decisions in Vancouver (1999-2005) Edna Cho Bachelor of Arts, University of Calgary, 1997 PROJECT SUBMl7TED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF URBAN STUDIES In the Urban Studies Program O Edna Cho, 2007 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Spring 2007 All rights resewed. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. APPROVAL Name: Edna Cho Degree: Master of Urban Studies Title of Research Project: Do Political Parties Matter at the Local Level? The Role of Local Political Parties on Rezoning Decisions in Vancouver (I999-2005) Examining Committee: Chair Dr. Len Evenden Dr. Patrick Smith Professor, Department of Political Science Simon Fraser University Vancouver, British Columbia Senior Supervisor Dr. Anthony Perl Professor and Director, Urban Studies Program Simon Fraser University Vancouver, British Columbia Supervisor Dr. Kennedy Stewart Assistant Professor, Public Policy Program Simon Fraser University Vancouver, British Columbia External Examiner Date Defended 1 Approved: I 0 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY~ibra ry DECLARATION OF PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENCE The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. The author has further granted permission to Simon Fraser University to keep or make a digital copy for use in its circulating collection (currently available to the public at the "Institutional Repository" link of the SFU Library website <www.lib.sfu.ca> at: <http:llir.lib.sfu.calhandlell8921112>) and, without changing the content, to translate the thesislproject or extended essays, if technically possible, to any medium or format for the purpose of preservation of the digital work. The author has further agreed that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by either the author or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this work for financial gain shall not be allowed without the author's written permission. Permission for public performance, or limited permission for private scholarly use, of any multimedia materials forming part of this work, may have been granted by the author. This information may be found on the separately catalogued multimedia material and in the signed Partial Copyright Licence. The original Partial Copyright Licence attesting to these terms, and signed by this author, may be found in the original bound copy of this work, retained in the Simon Fraser University Archive. Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, BC, Canada Revised: Spring 2007 STATEMENT OF ETHICS APPROVAL The author, whose name appears on the title page of this work, has obtained, for the research described in this work, either: (a) Human research ethics approval from the Simon Fraser University Office of Research Ethics, (b) Advance approval of the animal care protocol from the University Animal Care Committee of Simon Fraser University; or has conducted the research (c) as a co-investigator, in a research project approved in advance, (d) as a member of a course approved in advance for minimal risk human research, by the Office of Research Ethics. A copy of the approval letter has been filed at the Theses Office of the University Library at the time of submission of this thesis or project. The original application for approval and letter of approval are filed with the relevant offices, Inquiries may be directed to those authorities. Simon Fraser University Library Burnaby, BC, Canada ABSTRACT This research seeks to understand the role played by local Vancouver parties in rezoning decisions made between 1999 and 2005. During this six year period, two parties with vast ideological differences held power-the Non Partisan Association (NPA) and the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE). Two methods were used in this study-a content analysis and elite interviews. Analysis of the data revealed that political parties do appear to make a difference in shaping rezoning decisions. Comparing the results of rezoning decisions between COPE and NPA Councils revealed a difference in approval/refusal rates as well as the amount of changes made to applications. The data also revealed how differences in the rezoning decisions of these two parties may be attributed to a difference in political ideology party cohesiveness, and the way in which these parties responded to the public. Keywords: land use planning; local government, local political parties iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I thank my advisor, Dr. Patrick J. Smith for his guidance, positive encouragement, and most importantly, for making this project fun. I thank my fellow students and 'support group', Rebecca Holt and Graham Senft, who encouraged and motivated me to complete the project. I thank my colleagues-Cathy, Lynda, Grant, Ted, and others- at the City of Vancouver for their assistance and advice. Special thanks are owed to my parents, who have always supported me in my educational pursuits. Finally, I thank Rob, for being a most patient and supportive husband. TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................... Approval ...ii Abstract .......................................................................................................................... 111 Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ............................................................................................................ v List of Tables ............................................................................................................... vii 1.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................... 1 1. 1 Background ......................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Purpose of Study ................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Organization ........................................................................................................ 3 2.0 Literature Review ................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Roles and Functions of senior level Political Parties ............................................4 2.2 Political Ideology .................................................................................................. 6 2.3 Political Parties at the Local Level ....................................................................... 6 2.4 The Need for Political Parties at the Local Level .................................................. 7 3.0 The Case of Vancouver .......................................................................................9 3.1 Why did Vancouver Develop local political parties? ........................................... 11 3.2 Ideology of NPA And COPE ............................................................................... 12 3.3 NPA and COPE Platforms Of 1999 And 2002 ....................................................13 3.4 Vancouver's City Administration ........................................................................ 15 4.0 The Rezoning Process in Vancouver ................................................................. 17 4.1 Role of Public Hearings and City Council ................................................................ 21 4.2 Role of City Staff ..................................................................................................... 22 4.3 Summary ...........................................................................................................22 5.0 Research Question: Do Local Political Parties Matter? ...................................... 24 5.1 Data Set ............................................................................................................25 5.2 Research Paradigm ...........................................................................................26 5.3 Research Methodology-Purpose, Intent, And Assumptions ............................. 27 5.4 Research and Analytical Methods...................................................................... 28 5.4.1 Step One .......................................................................................................28 5.4.2 Step Two ....................................................................................................... 29 5.4.3 Step Three ..................................................................................................... 29 5.5.4 Step Four ....................................................................................................... 29 6.0 Summary of Findings: Main Themes .................................................................. 31 6.1 Providing Context-Summary Of Primary Data.................................................. 32 6.2 Summary of Public Input at Public Hearing- Correspondence and Speakers .....35 6.3 Approval,