West Point Grey (WPG) Community Vision

Implementing the West Point Grey Community Vision
Join in with other WPG residents and VPD Community Police Constables on November 28, 2 - 4 pm at 4372 West 10th Avenue for a Neighbourhood Safety Check implementation event.
More information (PDF, 681KB)

The West Point Grey (WPG) Community Vision is the last of nine Visions and marks the completion of the Community Vision Program. The Community Vision is in the final step of the outreach process and the Draft Vision is pending City Council endorsement in fall 2010.

The Community Visions were designed to bring the 1995 CityPlan, a framework of directions ranging from transportation to arts and housing to community services, to the local level.

Dunbar and Kensington-Cedar Cottage (KCC) were the first two Vision areas to develop CityPlan directions in the community and were approved by City Council in 1998. The Community Visions that followed are: Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney (VFK)and Sunset 2002; Hastings-Sunrise (HS)and Renfrew-Collingwood (RC) 2004; Arbutus Ridge/Kerrisdale/Shaughnessy (ARKS) and Riley Park/South Cambie (RPSC) 2005.

WPG started their Community Vision process in January 2006.

Highlights of West Point Grey’s Community Vision

The West Point Grey Community Vision makes recommendations to City Council on over 130 directions with many of these directions receiving strong community support. The following highlights some key streams of feedback.

Transportation and Transit
Conditions and safety on major streets in West Point Grey need improvement, making them easier to cross, safer to walk and drive along and more attractive, while recognizing that they will continue to carry commuters through the area. Careful planning is needed to ensure that traffic generated by the growth of UBC does not unduly impact West Point Grey and that the potential negative impacts of UBC Transit are reduced through the promotion of sustainable bus technology such as low-noise, low-emission buses.

Greenways and Bikeways
Residents support directions for improvements to sidewalks, greenways and bikeways to encourage greater use of pedestrian and cyclist routes and facilities within and outside West Point Grey.

Parks, Streets, Lanes and Views
There is strong support for the protection of natural areas, including beaches, as well as improvements to park grounds, structures, beaches and facilities, and improved safety in and around parks. The preservation of public views is also strongly supported—for instance, the view of the North Shore mountains, Burrard Inlet and downtown—as is the greening and beautification of public streets, boulevards and traffic circles.

Neighbourhood Centres and Shopping Areas
As the hearts of their neighbourhoods, Point Grey village and Jericho village shopping areas should be strengthened with improved shopping and pedestrian experiences and a range of stores and services. Supermarkets should be retained and street trees protected and maintained. Jericho village shopping area should be the focus for redevelopment of a new neighbourhood centre with additional housing.

Our Environment
Residents have a strong interest in the environment. The community and the City can work together to keep the area clean, encourage recycling and composting, improve the conservation of energy and water, and reduce urban noise from air traffic and vehicles. Residents support the formation of partnerships between the City and other levels of government to enhance the environment. Efforts to improve air quality, and increase the use of alternative energy sources are encouraged.

Housing
Residents want to maintain most of their single family areas. Some new housing types are supported, including duplexes, infill and seniors housing, subject to design control, the provision of adequate services and facilities and a plan to address parking and traffic impacts. Strong support was expressed for locating new housing near shopping areas, subject to detailed planning. Additional efforts to preserve heritage and character buildings are also supported.

Decision Making
The community wants more input into both major initiatives and recurring decisions about changes in their community. Residents feel strongly that the City should ensure a major study of the future of Jericho Lands (90 acres of publicly-owned land) is undertaken if redevelopment of the site is proposed.

Neighbourhood Safety
Residents want individuals, the community and the police to work together to create a safer community through enhanced police services, community policing and crime prevention.

Community Services
Residents want to see an upgrade and expansion of the West Point Grey Branch Library as well as improved services and an upgraded collection.

Vision Implementation

The Vision Directions were developed by people who live and work in WPG, with the assistance of City staff. They will be used at City Hall to help make decisions affecting WPG, to help set priorities and guide future community actions and City decision on capital spending, programs and new development in WPG. For the community, the Vision provides a focus for local actions and initiatives.

The Visions are valuable tools for communities and the City in creating liveable neighbourhoods in keeping with CityPlan and the community’s priorities.

Getting Involved
After City Council’s approval of the Vision, Planning staff will work with West Point Grey residents to develop the best approaches going into the future and help facilitate a framework for community-led initiatives.

For a sample of implementation initiatives in a previously adopted Vision area visit the Victoria-Fraserview Killarney (VFK) Community Vision. The web site needs to be updated, but it provides examples of the kind of community projects undertaken through the VKF Community Vision Committee.

If you would like to work with others from your neighbourhood and City staff to implement the Vision contact cityplan@vancouver.ca.

What's New?

The West Point Grey Community Web Pages on the City’s website provides information on current developments in your neighbourhood; community organizations; and services.

Rapid Transit
TransLink and the Province are looking at rapid transit options for the Broadway Corridor and recently held a series of public workshops and hosted online information through bepartoftheplan.ca For a summary of what was heard and for more information visit or contact the City’s Rapid Transit Office and rapidtransit@vancouver.ca or 604.873.7690.

Contact Us

If you have a question about the Visions program or would like more information, we would like to hear from you. You can contact us by any of the following means: Phone: 604.873.7000 Fax: 604.873.7898 Email: cityplan@vancouver.ca.

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