1401-1455 E 49th Ave rezoning application
Building Example
The City of Vancouver has received an application to rezone the subject site from R1-1 (Residential Inclusive) District and C-1 (Commercial) District to RR-3B (Residential Rental) District. The proposal includes:
- A six-storey mixed-use rental building;
- At least 20% of the floor area secured for below-market rental units;
- Commercial space at the ground floor; and
- A floor space ratio (FSR) up to 3.50.
The application is being considered under the Secured Rental Policy
If approved, this site's zoning will change to RR-3B. Any development on the site would have to conform to these zoning regulations and design guidelines. The specific form of development (building design) will be reviewed through a future Development Permit process. Application drawings will be available for viewing and comment at that time.
This approach differs from a site-specific Comprehensive Development (CD) District rezoning. It allows for a simplified rezoning process and provides greater clarity and consistency on the types of new secured rental buildings that may be built in eligible low-density areas.
Background: Southern Portion of Sir Sanford Fleming Elementary School
As part of the seismic mitigation program, the Ministry of Education and Child Care identified and funded the construction of a new Sir Sanford Fleming Elementary School. This process included a reconfiguration of the school site, which presented an opportunity to repurpose the southern portion of the property for rental housing. With Ministry approval, the Vancouver School Board finalized a 99-year lease with Vittori Developments Ltd. for the southern portion of our school site as per Board Policy 20 - Disposal of land or improvements. [media.vsb.bc.ca]
Learn more about the public engagement and disposition process of the Fleming school site at https://www.vsb.bc.ca/page/4916/south-portion-of-fleming-site
Questions relating to the disposition process, including policies and procedures of VSB, can be directed to planning@vsb.bc.ca or 604-713-5000.
It is important to note that the VSB and the City are separate entities with distinct responsibilities and governance structures, operating independently of one another. As the land use regulator, the City is responsible for reviewing the rezoning application.
Rezoning Policy Background
On December 14, 2021, Council approved amendments to the Secured Rental Policy (SRP) to allow simplified rezonings in low-density areas near shopping, public transportation and other amenities. This policy is intended to help:
- Increase housing choice for renter households
- Streamline processes and clarifying policy requirements
- Diversify rental housing options
- Respond to the City’s Climate Emergency
- Help enhance local shopping areas
- Improving livability of rental housing
Learn more about:
- Secured Rental Policy
- Public feedback during the development of SRP
- How SRP helps deliver key objectives of the Housing Vancouver Strategy
- Sites eligible for rezoning in low-density transition areas (map included)
Revised Public Hearing Date
This item was withdrawn from the Agenda for the October 23, 2025 Public Hearing and has been postponed to a Public Hearing on November 13, 2025.
Further details and information for the revised Public Hearing, including a link to the agenda, will be provided shortly.
Public Hearing: Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 6:00 pm
These Public Hearings are to be convened by electronic means, with in-person attendance also available. You may participate in the Public Hearing either by speaking by phone or in person, or by submitting written comments that will be distributed to the Mayor and Councillors.
- View the Public Hearing Agenda (*This link will become live once the Agenda for the November 13, 2025 Public Hearing is made public).
- Watch the meeting
- Follow the meeting on X
Or give feedback via mail to:
City of Vancouver, City Clerk’s Office
453 West 12th Avenue, Third Floor
Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1V4
Requests to speak open at 8:30 am on Friday, October 31, 2025. You may also register in person at City Hall between 5:30 and 6:00 pm on the day of the Public Hearing. All spoken and written comments will be publicly accessible on the City of Vancouver’s website with your full name attached.
Copies of the draft by-laws will be made available for in-person viewing from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays at the City Clerk’s Office on the 3rd Floor of City Hall from Friday, October 31, 2025, and for viewing on the meeting agenda page on the same Friday starting at 1:00 pm. Minutes of the Public Hearing will also be available at this location approximately two business days after the meeting.
Due to the Canada Post strike, we were unable to send out postcard notifications to inform the public about this Public Hearing when it was originally scheduled for the October 23, 2025 Public Hearing as this item was postponed to a Public Hearing on November 13, 2025.
Notification postcards for the revised Public Hearing date were mailed. Due to the latest developments of the ongoing Canada Post strike, some or all of the postcards may be delayed din their delivery or may not be delivered at all. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.