City of Vancouver Home   Community Services

City of Vancouver
Search
Help

 
Planning: Current Planning
CITY OFVANCOUVER       
 

Heritage Conservation Program Information

Heritage Building Rehabilitation Program and Transfer of Density Review

Transfer of Density

Heritage Incentives for Gastown, Chinatown, Victory Square, Hastings Street

Current Research and Related Documents

Community Services Home
 

What's New

On July 28, 2009 City Council approved a number of recommendations to maintain the long term viability of transfer of density as a public benefit tool. This includes measures to rebalance the density bank to bring it back to a viable position and long term actions to ensure its ongoing sustainability. Details of Council decisions and the companion staff report are available here:

View the Minutes from the Council Meeting (PDF)

View the Staff report (PDF)

At the City Services and Budgets meeting on July 26, 2007 Council endorsed the undertaking of the Heritage Building Rehabilitation Program (HBRP) and Transfer of Density Program Review, contained in Terms of Reference in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated July 13, 2007 (PDF). In addition, Council advised staff how to process requests for the creation of transferable density while the Review is underway.

View the minutes of the City Services and Budgets meeting on July 26, 2007 ››› (PDF)

View July 2008 Bulletin ››› (PDF)

View the July 2008 consultant's report on the HBRP and TOD program ››› (PDF)

Subscribe to our mailing list
As a member of this mailing list, you will receive updates on project status, links to more detailed reports, and information on how to provide your input. Join our mailing list ›››

Heritage Building Rehabilitation Program and Transfer of Density Review

What you should know about the HBRP and TOD Program Review:

» What is the purpose of the Review?
» What are the products of the Review?
» What actions are related to the processing of requests for Heritage Incentives?
» What is the Potential Benefit Capacity Review for Downtown?
» How can I get involved?

Purpose

The purpose of the Heritage Building Rehabilitation Program (HBRP) and Transfer of Density Program (TOD) Review is to:

  1. Evaluate the success of the HBRP and determine if it should be continued for a second phase, and if so, in what form.
  2. Evaluate the success of the TOD Program and develop policies and actions to support its long-term health.
  3. Provide input into the Potential Capacity Technical Review and, potentially, to a Capacity Options Review.

Products

The three main products of the Review are:

  1. Historic Review and Evaluation of the 5-year HBRP
  2. Potential Improvements to the HBRP and TOD Program
  3. “Future Transfer of Density Projections” Scenarios

[top]

Actions

At the City Services and Budgets meeting on July 26, 2007 Council advised staff how to process requests for the creation of transferable density while the Review is underway. Actions related to direction from Council are as follows. The incentives that comprise the HBRP and continue to be available in 2008 are façade grants and property tax exemption.

Interim (now to 2008 Council Report)

  • Five (5) priority projects requesting heritage incentives will continue to be processed.
  • All other projects and any new enquires for the creation of transferable density will put on hold until after the Review.

Long-Term (after 2008 Council Report)

  • Once Council has advised on recommendations that flow from the Review, staff will implement associated actions. These actions will relate to the long-term future of the HBRP, the city-wide heritage transfer of density program, management of the density market, and balancing delivery of heritage objectives together with other public objectives (e.g. affordable housing, child care, cultural facilities, etc.)

[top]

Potential Benefit Capacity Review for Downtown

Heights, Bonuses, Transfer of Density and Public Benefits

The Potential Benefit Capacity Review for Downtown will be informed by both the Metro Core Jobs and Economy Land Use Plan, and the HBRP and TOD Review.

In many cases, City objectives regarding affordable housing, heritage conservation, cultural amenities, and child care are met through rezonings that allow increased density and height, and in some cases a transfer of density. These amenities benefit businesses, employees, and residents.

The question arises as to whether both the job space needs of the Metro Core and the bonuses and density transfers for public benefits will still be achievable. A review of overall capacity is underway, and will inform the Potential Benefit Capacity Review for Downtown. If accommodating commercial needs along with public benefit objectives appears to be a problem, staff will report back to Council on an initiative to look at new capacity options, including examining height and view cone limits. For more information, see Appendix C of the Metro Core Jobs & Economy Land Use Plan: Issues & Directions [pdf].

[top]

How can I get involved?

You are invited to learn more and provide feedback as the Review proceeds. Web-based bulletins will provide updates on information and opportunities for input. Consultants are envisioned to assist in this complex technical review. An Advisory Committee comprised of representation from a diverse range of economic and heritage interests will also provide expertise during the project.

For more information on the Review, visit the links on this page and sign up for the e-mail list. By being on the e-mail list, you will receive web-based bulletins at key points in the Review, providing you with the latest findings and opportunities for your input.

For more information, please refer to the Terms of Reference in Appendix A of the Administrative Report [pdf] for this Review.

[top]

 

 

Questions or Comments? E-mail: planning@vancouver.ca


© 2008 City of Vancouver