Hello, everyone, and welcome to our blog post. Today, we've got some exciting news about significant changes introduced by the BC Provincial Government, specifically in relation to transit-oriented development. We'll simplify what these new rules mean for cities in Vancouver and discuss their potential impact on the housing market.
Lately, the city council has been rolling out a series of zoning adjustments in Vancouver. The most recent announcement, made on December 8th, introduces a concept known as transit-oriented development, and it's coming into effect immediately. So, what's the deal?
In simple terms, transit-oriented development focuses on allowing taller buildings near SkyTrain stations, of which there are 52 in total. Under these new rules, buildings located within 200 meters of a SkyTrain station can now reach a height of up to 20 stories. That's quite a leap, considering that many of these stations are near residential areas or low-rise buildings.
It's important to note that these changes primarily apply to regular residential zones. For instance, within 200 meters of a SkyTrain station, the minimum required building height is set at 20 stories, with a Floor Space Ratio (FSR) of 5.0. As you move farther from the station, the minimum height decreases. Within 200-400 meters, it's 12 stories with an FSR of 4.0, and within 800 meters, it's eight stories with an FSR of 3.0.
For bus exchange transit-oriented development, specifically Kootenay Loop, within 200 meters, buildings can reach up to 12 stories with an FSR of 4.0. Between 200 and 400 meters, it's eight stories with an FSR of 3.0.
To illustrate this, imagine an FSR of 2.0 allows for a maximum height of 5.0. If a developer applies for rezoning with a request for 20 stories and an FSR of 5.0, as long as they adhere to the regulations of the transit-oriented development, there’s a higher chance of it being approved.
Now, onto the challenge: gaining approval for these types of developments. Historically, obtaining approval for building permits in the city has been a lengthy process. In light of this, the prime minister has also announced measures to reduce bureaucratic obstacles, making it easier for developers to secure permits. Here's a video of the announcement made by the Prime Minister, courtesy of Global News.
These efforts by the council aim to help alleviate the increasing housing crisis in Canada. Perhaps this is in response to the research conducted by the CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.) which states that in order to achieve affordability in housing, Canada must build 5.8 million new homes by 2030.
On a related note, there are no mandatory parking requirements for this type of development. The reasoning behind this move is that minimum parking requirements can strain a project's financial viability, reduce the number of residential units, affect affordability, and discourage residents from using public transportation. Additionally, parking garages often go underutilized, resulting in less efficient building designs. By approving these changes, the city encourages people to rely on public transportation to free up more space for residential units rather than parking. This also aligns with the Vancouver council's transportation goal for 2040, which aims to make at least 2/3 of all travel by foot, bike, and transit. This plan will reduce transportation emissions, ease traffic conditions, and free up road space.
Thank you for joining us in this blog post. If you've found this information valuable, please consider connecting with us on social media to stay updated on Vancouver's zoning changes. Exciting news: we have plans to create a video based on this blog in the near future, so stay tuned! If you have any questions or require expert architectural guidance, please don't hesitate to reach out for a complimentary consultation. You can locate our contact details on the "Contact" page of our website. Stay engaged for more informative blogs, and we look forward to having you with us in the next one!
