Happy Thursday!

I have lots of good news for you from Fraser Valley before we all take time off for Christmas and the New Year.

The White Rock Waterfront is working to boost food truck presence, and our public transportation (think school buses) could start providing energy for homes.

We’re also taking a look at some good news for our housing market. Plans are in the works to get homes built more quickly by reimagining building blueprints from the post-war era.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and safe travel if you are out and about to visit loved ones.

— Scott

🚌 White Rock pushes for year-round food truck presence at the waterfront

Driving the news: White Rock council has passed new regulations for food trucks along the city's waterfront. These rules, set to be implemented post-April, aim to ensure a consistent and year-round presence of food vendors.

Details: The guidelines stipulate minimum performance standards, mandating vendor availability during peak summer months and adequate presence in off-peak seasons.

Vendors are required to operate a minimum of six days a week from June to September and weekends during off-peak seasons. The licensing fee is now set at $1,000 plus additional costs.

Council members have expressed varied opinions, from enforcement concerns to the need for diversity among vendors. The city aims to maintain a cap of five food carts in 2024, focusing on quality over quantity.

Why it matters: The program's success hinges on balancing vendor commitment with the need for variety and consistency.

It addresses concerns about irregular vendor operations and aims to boost local food offerings for residents and visitors.

The big picture: This initiative started in 2013 and is part of the city's effort to enhance the waterfront experience.

What’s next: A call for applications will be released in February, inviting local businesses to participate in the program. Successful applicants will receive a one-year permit starting April 22.

The bottom line: These new guidelines will hopefully help to enhance White Rock's waterfront experience, fostering a vibrant, diverse, and sustainable food truck culture that aligns with the city's broader goals.

⚡️ Canada’s transportation system could power homes in the near future

Driving the news: BC Hydro has launched a pioneering vehicle-to-grid pilot project in Surrey. This initiative enables electric vehicles, particularly medium and heavy-duty ones, to feed electricity back into the grid.

Details: The project is a collaboration with CleanBC, Powertech Labs, and Coast to Coast Experiences. It marks a significant step in evolving the energy system, with a focus on cleaner, more efficient power usage.

The project, first of its kind in Canada, follows successful models in the U.S. and Europe. It's seen as a key driver in BC's climate action and clean economy.

By the numbers: A single electric bus can power 24 homes for two hours with its 66-kilowatt battery. If 1,000 buses were electric, they could power 24,000 homes in the same timeframe.

Why it matters: This initiative represents a fundamental shift in energy management, leveraging electric vehicles as potential power sources for the grid.

It's a move towards sustainable energy practices and a cleaner environment.

Between the lines: This technology not only supports energy storage and distribution but also represents a shift towards cleaner transportation options, reducing reliance on traditional, less eco-friendly power sources.

What’s next: A trial will focus on medium-sized vehicles like buses and heavy-duty vehicles like transport trucks. The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of bidirectional charging.

The bottom line: BC Hydro's vehicle-to-grid pilot project is a landmark in Canada's journey towards an integrated, clean energy future.

It showcases the potential of electric vehicles as dynamic components in the energy system, beyond their transport function.

🎥 Tour this Surrey Central Condo in an Award-Winning Building with VIEWS!

This incredible condo is located in the heart of Surrey Central, just steps to shopping and the Skytrain Station!

🏠 Canada taps post-war era to bring back pre-approved home design catalogue

Driving the news: The Canadian government plans to re-introduce a post-war strategy to boost housing construction, announcing a project to create a catalogue of pre-approved home designs.

This initiative is aimed at expediting the development process for builders.

Details: The consultation for this project starts next month, drawing inspiration from the post-Second World War era when simple blueprints were provided to rapidly address housing shortages.

Reminiscent of the post-war “strawberry box houses,” which still exist in many neighborhoods, this modern adaptation aims to address similar housing challenges using 21st-century solutions.

Unlike the original program, which focused on detached homes, the new catalogue will prioritize low-rise structures like multiplexes and senior residences, with a future expansion to high-density buildings.

Why it matters: This move is significant as it promises to streamline the building process, potentially reducing construction time by up to a year.

It aligns with the government’s broader efforts to update the national building code and respond to current housing needs.

What’s next: The government aims to have the catalogue ready by next year, indicating a swift response to the current housing shortage.

This move is part of a series of recommendations from the National Housing Accord.

The bottom line: This strategy represents a blend of historical wisdom and modern innovation.

It's not just a measure to tackle the housing shortage but also a step toward increasing construction productivity and labor efficiency.

📰 In Other News:

• The Best Holiday Lights Displays in Surrey

• Things to do on New Year's Eve 2023 in Surrey

• Journey through Canada's longest-running gingerbread house display in Vancouver

📊 Current Market Snapshots:

That’s all for today, I hope you have an amazing week!

If there’s ever anything you need:

• a custom market or home value report

• a home services list for a reliable contractor or services professional

• feedback or a professional opinion on a home project

Just let me know! We’re here to help with all your home needs.

Talk soon,

Scott with the Moe Team