John Stark Email & Phone Number

John Stark is the Senior Social Planner for the City of New Westminster. In this position, he is responsible for such areas as accessibility, affordable housing and homelessness, child care, multiculturalism, seniors, and youth. John has been involved in a number of complex planning processes, including five rezonings related to emergency shelter and supported housing for the homeless; large child care facilities in single detached dwelling districts; and social service hubs as part of new schools. Inherent in these processes, he must balance meeting community needs related to social services with potential livability issues as raised by residents. John also coordinated the first apology by a municipality in Canada to the Chinese community for past injustices and the demolition of the Woodlands Centre Block Tower, which pitted former residents who wanted to see the building demolished given its history of systemic abuse and heritage advocates who wished to retain it for historical reasons.