Downtown Eastside policy updates to increase social housing

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Engagement during the DTES Plan Community Fair in 2019

The Downtown Eastside Plan identified the urgent need for self-contained social housing at affordable rents. This was supported by feedback from recent engagement at the DTES Plan Community Fair.

Under the Housing Vancouver Strategy: Three-year Action Plan, modest increases in density and height to facilitate the delivery of more social housing were allowed in recently approved community plans.

This policy review was identified as a priority action in order to:

  • Enable a modest increase in density and height for 100% social housing through changes to existing zoning
  • Create greater flexibility for projects that deliver 100% social housing through the rezoning process
  • Clarify policies to improve development processes and reduce application times


What are the proposed changes?

1. Downtown Eastside Oppenheimer District

a) Under zoning - DTES Oppenheimer District Official Development Plan (sub areas 2, 3, 4)

  • Density: increase of 1.0 FSR (floor space ratio) from 4.5 FSR for a maximum of 5.5 FSR
  • Height: increase of 7.6 metres from 22.9 metres for a maximum of 30.5 metres

b) Through rezoning policy

  • Through the existing rezoning process, a density of approximately 5 FSR and height of approximately 30.5 metres may be considered.
  • The proposed rezoning policy allows additional density and height to be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on heritage considerations, site context, e.g. site size, location, adjacent buildings, neighbourhood, etc.), urban design performance, and detailed proposal review.

2. Thornton Park / East False Creek

a) Under zoning - FC-1 District Schedule

  • Density: increase of 1.0 FSR from 5.0 FSR for a maximum of 6.0 FSR (increase residential limit to 4.5 FSR).
  • Height: A maximum of 83.9 metres (not to encroach on protected public views) is currently allowed. No changes are proposed.

b) Through rezoning policy

  • Through the existing rezoning process, only additional density may be considered based on context and design. Height is restricted to 22.9m (75 ft) under the existing rezoning process.
  • The proposed rezoning policy allows additional density and height to be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on heritage considerations, site context, e.g. site size, location, adjacent buildings, neighbourhood, etc.), urban design performance, and detailed proposal review.

See our information boards for more detailed information.

The survey is now closed. Thank you for your participation.

The Downtown Eastside Plan identified the urgent need for self-contained social housing at affordable rents. This was supported by feedback from recent engagement at the DTES Plan Community Fair.

Under the Housing Vancouver Strategy: Three-year Action Plan, modest increases in density and height to facilitate the delivery of more social housing were allowed in recently approved community plans.

This policy review was identified as a priority action in order to:

  • Enable a modest increase in density and height for 100% social housing through changes to existing zoning
  • Create greater flexibility for projects that deliver 100% social housing through the rezoning process
  • Clarify policies to improve development processes and reduce application times


What are the proposed changes?

1. Downtown Eastside Oppenheimer District

a) Under zoning - DTES Oppenheimer District Official Development Plan (sub areas 2, 3, 4)

  • Density: increase of 1.0 FSR (floor space ratio) from 4.5 FSR for a maximum of 5.5 FSR
  • Height: increase of 7.6 metres from 22.9 metres for a maximum of 30.5 metres

b) Through rezoning policy

  • Through the existing rezoning process, a density of approximately 5 FSR and height of approximately 30.5 metres may be considered.
  • The proposed rezoning policy allows additional density and height to be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on heritage considerations, site context, e.g. site size, location, adjacent buildings, neighbourhood, etc.), urban design performance, and detailed proposal review.

2. Thornton Park / East False Creek

a) Under zoning - FC-1 District Schedule

  • Density: increase of 1.0 FSR from 5.0 FSR for a maximum of 6.0 FSR (increase residential limit to 4.5 FSR).
  • Height: A maximum of 83.9 metres (not to encroach on protected public views) is currently allowed. No changes are proposed.

b) Through rezoning policy

  • Through the existing rezoning process, only additional density may be considered based on context and design. Height is restricted to 22.9m (75 ft) under the existing rezoning process.
  • The proposed rezoning policy allows additional density and height to be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on heritage considerations, site context, e.g. site size, location, adjacent buildings, neighbourhood, etc.), urban design performance, and detailed proposal review.

See our information boards for more detailed information.

The survey is now closed. Thank you for your participation.

Page last updated: 10 May 2022, 01:48 PM