British Columbia

City of Vancouver reveals details for further densification of Cambie corridor

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has announced his city's plans for the third phase of the Cambie Corridor, which projects an additional 11,500 new homes in the region.

Around 11,500 new housing units will be created, mostly between Cambie and Oak streets, says Vancouver's mayor

Construction continues on medium-density developments along Cambie Street in Vancouver, B.C. on June 12, 2017. (CBC)

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has announced his city's plans for the third phase of the Cambie Corridor, which projects an additional 11,500 new homes in the region. 

"We are looking at a dramatic increase in housing that will be made available in the Cambie Corridor ... in what is now the most aggressive housing push in the city's history," said Robertson on Monday.

Provisional approval for the third phase came in 2015, and it called for a gentle transition, introducing higher density housing on Cambie Street into surrounding neighbourhoods currently dominated by single-family homes.

On Monday, the city revealed details of the plan, which proposes the majority of the land between Oak Street, King Edward Avenue, Cambie Street and West 33rd Avenue be pre-zoned for townhouses, along with most of Oak Street from West 46th Avenue to West 57th Avenue.  

Information from the City of Vancouver's plans for the rest of the Cambie Corridor between King Edward, Marine Drive, Oak Street and Ontario Street. (City of Vancouver)

"Phase 3 is going into the low-density neighbourhoods in the Cambie Corridor," said Robertson."That's where we want to see 11,500 new homes built. We want to ensure we're meeting the local needs for housing, and we're responding to incomes people have in Vancouver."

In addition, the city is proposing 20 per cent of the new units at Heather Street Lands, Langara Gardens, Oakridge Centre and Pearson Dogwood be targeted for affordable housing. 

""I've heard loud and clear that people want a mix of housing — rental, townhomes and row houses — near schools, parks and transit in Vancouver's low density neighbourhoods; this plan for the Cambie Corridor provides that and more," said Robertson. 

The city is providing questionnaires and holding at least two public open houses: 

Thursday, June 15, 2017, 4-8 pm
Oakridge Centre Auditorium, 650 West 41st Avenue

Saturday, June 17, 2017, 11 am – 5 pm
Oakridge Centre Auditorium, 650 West 41st Avenue

A report will be sent to council in late July. 

If the plan is approved, many areas in the region will be pre-zoned, but landowners or developers submitting applications to rezone areas must still submit an application and have a public comment period. 

Details of the plan can be found here