Mount Pleasant Community Plan

The Mount Pleasant Plan has been repealed and is now considered a historical document. Please refer to the Broadway Plan for area plan policies that apply to Mount Pleasant.

The Mount Pleasant Community Plan was adopted by City Council on November 18, 2010 after an extensive public planning process.

The Plan contains community-wide and sub-area policies to address issues and guide development in the neighbourhood over 30 years.

It covers a wide range of topics: land use, urban design, housing, economic development, parks and the public realm, transportation, community services, heritage, and culture.

On October 23, 2013, Council adopted the Mount Pleasant Community Plan Implementation Package, which builds on the Plan to clarify and advance policy directions. The Implementation Package includes:

  • A Broadway East Revitalization Strategy
  • An Urban Design Framework for Lower Main
  • A Public Realm Plan
  • A Public Benefits Strategy

The Plan and Implementation Package, plus ongoing City programs and policies, will help guide positive change in Mount Pleasant over the next 30 years. 

Related projects

Recent developments with this community plan

Mount Pleasant Sidewalk Art Design Competition

August 1, 2017 – The City of Vancouver and the Mount Pleasant BIA invite artists and visual designers to submit designs for sidewalk etchings. Themes for the designs should relate to the community's heritage such as history, creeks, art, music, culture, and breweries. Designs will be sandblasted on sidewalk surfaces on Main Street. Approved artists will receive $300 and a prize. The deadline for submissions is August 18, 2017. 

Check out the jumping salmon on the sidewalks at Broadway and Fraser

April 7, 2015 – The first installation of a sandblasted sidewalk pattern, as aspired to in the Mount Pleasant Public Realm Plan, has been completed. The stencil of a jumping salmon was designed and fabricated through a collaborative process between the Broadway Youth Resource Centre, local artist Gordon White, and the City.

Cultural Capital Grants approved for Mount Pleasant

June 11, 2014 – Council approved four Cultural Capital Grants totalling $4.5 million for artist production spaces in Mount Pleasant. The source of funds will be the Rize Alliance Cultural Community Amenity Contribution (CAC).

Council approved Implementation Package

October 23, 2013 – Council approved the Mount Pleasant Community Plan Implementation Package. It also confirmed the Main Street view cone (View 22), an existing policy to preserve views of the North Shore Mountains at Main Street and East 6th Avenue.

Implementation Package forwarded to Council for October 23 meeting

October 16, 2013 – After more than a year of working with the community to develop important strategies to implement the Mount Pleasant Community Plan, staff will be bringing forward an Implementation Package to Council for approval on October 23, 2013. The Implementation Package includes four key components:

  1. Broadway East Revitalization Strategy
  2. Lower Main Urban Design Framework
  3. Public Realm Plan
  4. Public Benefits Strategy

Public Hearing on October 24: 2290 Main Street rezoning application

October 16, 2013 – Arno Matis Architecture has applied to the City of Vancouver to rezone 2290 Main Street for a proposed 9-floor mixed-use building. A Public Hearing has been scheduled for October 24, 2013.

Council's motion on next steps for the community plans

September 27, 2013 – On September 25, 26, and 27, Council met to discuss the Community Plans: Next Steps report.

New murals in Mount Pleasant

August 9, 2013 – Three new murals have been created along East Broadway by the City's Integrated Graffiti Management Program, in partnership with the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, local artists, property owners, and the community. These murals are one part of revitalizing East Broadway.

  • Read the news release about the new murals

Summary of feedback from community plan implementation open houses released

July 17, 2013 – We have summarized the feedback from our June 15th and 20th open houses, in which we shared the draft strategies for the implementation of the Mount Pleasant Community Plan. A summary of the responses from the open houses and the accompanying questionnaire are now ready to view. 

Wednesday, July 17: Community open house - 285 East 10th Avenue development application (RIZE)

July 11, 2013 – Acton Ostry Architects Inc., on behalf of Rize Alliance, has applied to the City to develop 285 East 10th Avenue (formerly 228-246 East Broadway and 180 Kingsway) with a 22-storey mixed-use development. You are invited to learn more about this proposal at a community open house. Members of the applicant team and City staff will provide information on the proposal details and City review process, and answer questions.

 Please note the updated location.

Event date: Wednesday, July 17, 2013, 4:30pm – 7:30 pm (drop-in)
Location: St. Patrick’s Church, 2881 Main Street (Main at 13th Avenue)

Thursday, June 27: Community open house - Main and 2nd Avenue development proposal

June 25, 2013 – Aquilini Development and Francl Architecture invite you to an introductory open house on a proposal to develop the block of Main Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue, on the west side of the street (1837-1847 Main Street and 180 East 2nd Avenue). Come view the plans, speak to the applicant team, and provide feedback. City staff will also be in attendance.

Event date: Thursday, June 27, 2013, 5:00pm – 7:30 pm (drop-in)
Location: NEC Native Education Centre, 285 East 5th Ave

For more information, contact Mark Mazzone, Aquilini Development, at 604-687-8813.

Tuesday, June 25: Community open house - 333 East 11th Avenue rezoning application

June 25, 2013 – Acton Ostry Architects Inc., on behalf of Edgar Development Corp, has applied to the City of Vancouver to rezone 333 East 11th Avenue (formerly 275 Kingsway) for a proposed 13-storey mixed use building.

Event date: Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 4:30pm – 7:30 pm (drop-in)
Location: NEC Native Education Centre, 285 East 5th Ave

What do you think about the latest, updated version of Mount Pleasant’s community plan implementation strategies?

If you aren’t able to make it to the planning open houses on June 15th or 20th, or would prefer to provide input from the comfort of your own home, this is your chance.

Share your views on the latest, updated version of Mount Pleasant’s community plan implementation strategies. The detailed information sheets and comment form are available online until June 30, 2013.

  • The comment form closed on June 30, 2013. Thank you for your interest.

Come to a community plan implementation open house

May 27, 2013 – Learn more about how the community plan can be implemented and what it means for the future of the neighbourhood. Drop by an open house to find out about: revitalizing Broadway East; how Lower Main (2nd to 7th Avenue) might change; a draft public realm plan for streets, open spaces and parks; and public benefits for Mount Pleasant. It's your chance to share your thoughts. City staff will be available to answer questions.

Event date: Saturday, June 15, 2013, 11:00am – 3:00pm (drop-in)
Location: Mount Pleasant Community Centre, 1 Kingsway, South Plaza
Bring the kids for free facepainting and enjoy a stilt performance. Rain or shine.

Event date: Thursday, June 20, 2013, 4:00pm – 8:00pm (drop-in)
Location: Kingsgate Mall, 370 East Broadway (Main floor, Kingsway entrance)

What do you think about our priorities for implementing the plan?

May 1, 2013 – If you weren’t able to make it to the planning open house on April 27th, or would prefer to provide input from the comfort of your own home, this is your chance.

Share your views about the four priorities for implementing the Mount Pleasant Community Plan. The detailed information sheets and comment form are available online until May 15, 2013.

  • The questionnaire closed May 15, 2013. Thank you for your interest.

Ribbons of Colour Street Fair and open house - April 27

April 10, 2013 – Join in a celebration of Mount Pleasant by taking part in a neighbourhood cleanup and dropping by the street fair and open house on the progress of the Mount Pleasant Community Plan implementation.

Event date: Saturday, April 27, 10:00am – 5:00pm

Keep Vancouver Spectacular neighbourhood cleanup: 10:00am – 12:00 noon
(Meet at Fraser Street and 8th Avenue at 10 am)
The day will kick off with community members coming together for a neighbourhood cleanup event. Join the City’s Keep Vancouver Spectacular crew and Mount Pleasant CARES to pick up litter from the streets and lanes in the area.

Ribbons of Colour Street Fair: 12:00 noon – 2:30pm
(near Sahalli Park at Fraser Street and 8th Avenue)
The street fair will feature local entertainment, information on community programs and Broadway East revitalization, food and prize draws, a friendly, neighbourhood street hockey shoot-out and appearances by the Vancouver Police Department mascots and mounted squad. It's also a chance to offer ideas for a Fraser Street plaza/park near Sahalli Park and find out more about the Weaving Policy, People and Place Together initiative and other area programs.

Mount Pleasant Community Plan Implementation Open House: 2:30pm – 5:00 pm
(800 East Broadway)
Follow the ribbons of colour, brightly hued fabric that will lead the way to the open house where you'll learn more about the Mount Pleasant Community Plan implementation priorities which include ideas for new development, streets, open spaces and public benefits for the community. City staff will be on hand to answer questions and gather input.

Community open house: 2290 Main Street rezoning application

March 5, 2013 – Arno Matis Architecture has applied to the City of Vancouver to rezone 2290 Main Street for a proposed 9-floor mixed-use building. You are invited to a community open house to view the plans, speak to the applicant team, and provide feedback. City staff will also be in attendance.

Event date: Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 4:30pm-7:30pm (drop-in)
Location: NEC Native Education Centre, 285 East 5th Ave

Community open house: 275 Kingsway rezoning and development application

March 5, 2013 – Edgar Development Corp invites you to an introductory community open house to share their initial thinking for 275 Kingsway and to hear your feedback. The proposed vision is for a 100% rental residential project that will also provide ground floor commercial space along Kingsway. Review the display boards, talk to the project team, and give your thoughts and comments. Beverages and light snacks will be provided.

Event date: Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 5:00pm-7:30pm (drop-in)
Location: NEC Native Education Centre, 285 East 5th Ave

For more information, contact Brook Pooni Associates, 604-731-9053 or openhouse@brookpooni.com.

Public realm plan workshop

February 27, 2013 – Join us and provide input on the public realm plan for Mount Pleasant. Meet the consultant team, PWL Partnership Landscape Architects, and share: what is important to you in the public realm; knowledge of special places in Mount Pleasant; what you enjoy about the neighbourhood's shopping districts; and ideas on how particular features of the public realm can reflect Mount Pleasant's essence. The workshop is free, but you must register, as supper will be served.

Event date: Thursday, March 7, 2013, 6:00pm-9:30pm
Location: Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, 800 E Broadway

This workshop is supported by Weaving Policy, People and Place Together (Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House), and by the City of Vancouver.

What we heard at the follow-up design session

On February 27, 2013, we shared some draft urban design principles and emerging urban design framework concepts for Broadway East and Lower Main (2nd to 7th Avenue). Visit the Documents tab to find out what we heard.

A photo of the follow-up design session

Implementation launch workshop

Launch workshop participants

November 18, 2012 – More than 60 participants attended the City’s Mount Pleasant Community Plan Implementation Launch at the Native Education College on November 18, 2012.

We walked the neighbourhood and shared ideas in workshops on the design of buildings, streets, and public spaces. The implementation event was focused on Broadway East, Main Street from 2nd to 7th Avenue, and the Uptown/Broadway West shopping area.

Participants talked about what is unique about Mount Pleasant and how that uniqueness could become part of new and restored places to live, walk, gather, work, create art, and explore. Staff are planning a follow-up workshop for February 2013.

Comment on the draft policy review

April 2010 - Over 600 people attended open houses in April where they viewed proposals, completed questionnaires, and commented on draft policy for the shopping areas and residential neighbourhoods in Mount Pleasant. Nearly 250 people filled-out the questionnaire. 

Main 2nd to 7th (M27) Commercial/Light Industrial Area

January - June 2009 - The Community Plan will address the under-developed area on Main St between 2nd and 7th Ave. Two M27 Commercial/Light Industrial Area Workshops were held in January and March, 2009. A third workshop was held on June 14, 2009 in conjunction with the three existing shopping areas in Mount Pleasant - Shopping Areas Workshop #3 (SAW#3).

At the past M27 workshops, participants talked about:

  • Creating a village like feel with artist’s live/work studios and galleries, and more local-serving shops and services
  • Making lanes along Main Street more lively by allowing shops to front the lane and encouraging pedestrian and cyclist activity
  • Creating a community gathering place, plaza, and mews, and adding more affordable rental housing

Residential Area Workshops (RAW)

2008 - 2009 - Seven different workshops explored issues and opportunities in the residential areas. The workshops were held between November 2008 and December 2009 at the Native Education College, 285 E 5th Ave. Workshop topics included parks and open space, safety and services, heritage and character, housing, culture, and transportation.

At each workshop, participants received background information and then they work together in small groups to develop ideas and options, review previous workshop comments, and suggest possible policy changes and additions to the suggested goals, ideas, and actions.

Shopping Area Workshops (SAW)

2008 - 2009 - The Community Plan will address four shopping sub-areas in Mount Pleasant. Three are existing shopping areas: Broadway West, UpTown Business Improvement Area (BIA), and Broadway and Fraser, plus the Commercial/Light industrial area on Main St from 2nd to 7th Ave (M27).

Four shopping area workshops and two Main 2nd to 7th Light industrial Area (M27) workshops were held between April 2008 and September 2009. Over the course of the workshops, participants explored issues and opportunities in the shopping areas, refined concept plans, and focused on the “change scenarios” that set out prospective density, height, and form of development options for new buildings in those parts of the shopping areas where change is anticipated to meet land use and design goals.

Learn about this community plan in-depth

Related Council reports

Open house and workshop information boards and feedback

Plan implementation open houses (June 15 and 20, 2013)

What we heard at the open houses:

Plan implementation open house (April 27, 2013)

What we heard at the open house:

Public realm workshops (March 7 and April 13, 2013)

What is important to you in Mount Pleasant's public realm? Workshop report for community stakeholders, PWL (landscape architecture consultants) and City of Vancouver. Produced with the support of the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House by Weaving Policy, People and Place Together facilitator Sylvia Holland.

Follow-up design session (February 27, 2013)

This session focused on the emerging urban design framework concepts for Broadway East and Lower Main (2nd to 7th Avenue). Here is the material that was shared with participants, and what we heard.

What we heard at the design session:

Launch workshop (November 18, 2012)

The November 18 workshop launched the City's implementation of the Mount Pleasant Community Plan. It focused on Broadway East, Main Street from 2nd to 7th Avenue, and the Uptown/Broadway West shopping area.

Participants discussed ideas for the public realm, and started to explore issues around urban systems, built form, and character for these areas.

What we heard at the launch workshop:

Mount Pleasant Community Plan implementation priorities

  • Revitalization strategy for Broadway East (Prince Edward to Prince Albert Street) - Develop a strategy to make this section of Broadway a vibrant and attractive place that better serves Mount Pleasant
  • An urban design framework for Lower Main (Main Street from 2nd to 7th Avenue) and Broadway East - Provide more detailed direction on building form (e.g. height, setbacks), character (e.g. building materials, features), and streetscape (e.g. benches, trees)
  • A public realm plan for Mount Pleasant’s shopping areas - Build on plan ideas to activate lanes, link public spaces, and build street vibrancy, while integrating the unique character and heritage of Mount Pleasant
  • A public benefits strategy for Mount Pleasant - Identify current gaps and future needs for services such as childcare, open space improvements, cultural spaces, and affordable housing, and match priority needs with available funding 

Community engagement

2013

2012

Weaving initiative

The Weaving Policy, People and Place Together initiative was created by the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House.

The purpose of the Weaving initiative is to support and help coordinate collaborative work on the development of Mount Pleasant. For more information, visit the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House website.

Development in Mount Pleasant

Learn more about individual rezoning and development projects in the neighbourhood.

Address Status
289 East 6th Avenue Development permit - issued
303 East 8th Avenue  Rezoning - application 
285 East 10th Avenue (Rize Alliance)

Formerly 228-246 East Broadway
and 180 Kingsway

Community Amenity Contributions (CAC) process

Rezoning - approved
333 East 11th Avenue

Formerly 275 Kingsway

 Rezoning and development permit - application
2477 Carolina St  Development permit - issued
2675 Fraser Street

Formerly 677 East Broadway

 Development permit - issued
401 Great Northern Way Development permit - approved
2290 Main Street Rezoning - approved
1908 Scotia Street Development permit - issued

 

Background on this community plan

Mount Pleasant is a neighbourhood rich in history and character. In order to inform the Community Plan Update, the City retained heritage consultants, Donald Luxton and Associates, to produce an Historic Context Statement which responds to a broader range of values (beyond simply architectural merit) and expands our understanding of the places that are important to a community.

The Mount Pleasant Community plan is being completed in three key steps.

Step 1: Start-up and Getting in Touch

This step included initial outreach to community groups, businesses, and service agencies; a newsletter, and recruitment of members for a Community Liaison Group (CLG).

A feedback form seeking community input on priorities for action was developed. Two Community Plan Fairs were held as kick-off events to increase community awareness of the program, publicize opportunities to participate, and help set priorities for subsequent program steps.

Throughout the planning program, regular meetings were held with the CLG, a Social Coordinating Group, and intercultural leaders to seek input. Focus group meetings in different languages and sessions with youth groups were also held. 

Step 2: Workshops and Community Action Projects

A) Shopping Area Plans and Policies for Key Themes

The Shopping Area Plans involved concurrent work on the three existing shopping areas and for the light industrial/commercial area on Main Street from 2nd to 7th Avenues.

The Key Themes explored in the planning process included housing, transportation, safety and services, parks and open space, heritage and character, and culture. To produce these plans and policies, the process steps included:

  • Reviewing existing issues and policy, and land use and transportation patterns in Mount Pleasant
  • Discussing needs, challenges, and opportunities in a series of public workshops, open houses, focus groups, and other engagement vehicles
  • Urban design analysis of built form options, including alternative land uses, public realm, traffic and parking, and public open space opportunities

B) Community Action Agenda/Projects

This part of the program focused on taking coordinated action on pressing social issues. The main steps included:

  • Drafting a Community Action Agenda based on Feedback Form responses
  • Forwarding the Community Action Agenda to Council for approval
  • Forming a Social Coordinating Group (SCG) of key stakeholders
  • Developing action plans for specific community projects
  • Recruiting additional working group members to implement action projects/plans
  • Implementing 12 projects to address 4 key social issues: homelessness; support for the vulnerable; open alcohol, drug, and sex trade; and community safety and security
  • Coordinating and monitoring project implementation

Step 3: Open Houses and Completing the Plan

At this stage all the elements of Mount Pleasant’s Community Plan were brought together for broad community validation and Council approval. The main steps included:

  • A final broad public review of the draft Community Plan through a series of five Open Houses held across the community
  • Modifying and refining the draft Plan based on feedback
  • Presenting the draft Plan to Council for adoption

Heritage and character

Mount Pleasant is a neighbourhood rich in history and character. To inform the Community Plan Update, the City retained heritage consultants, Donald Luxton and Associates, to produce an Historic Context Statement  (712 KB) which responds to a broader range of values (beyond architectural merit) and expands our understanding of the places that are important to a community.

A Working Group made up of residents, business owners, and representatives from community organizations and service providers met in late 2007, and early 2008, to identify themes of heritage value which should be included in the Historic Context Statement. When considering the heritage resources of Mount Pleasant, these themes can provide a framework to assess the significance of a particular resource. The themes can also be used to consider the degree to which the registered resources together convey the significant aspects of the neighbourhood.

The Historic Context Statement containing the Themes of Heritage Value  (145 KB) will be used by participants in shopping area and residential area workshops being held in Mount Pleasant.

Learn more how we protect Vancouver's heritage

Contact us

mountpleasant@vancouver.ca

 

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