South Vancouver Industrial Area zone review

We're reviewing the zoning, land use policy, and infrastructure and flood management requirements in the South Vancouver Industrial Area (SVIA). The goal is to create more flexible regulations that support local business and job growth and protect the area from future flood risks.

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  Supporting the South Vancouver Industrial Area

  The SVIA plays a critical role in Vancouver’s economy. It provides essential space for key industries that drive local and regional growth, and provides local jobs in manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, and more. The area also hosts critical infrastructure needed to keep the city running, such as works yards, waste transfer stations, wastewater pumping stations, electrical substations, and transit system maintenance facilities that serve Vancouver and the broader region.

  We’re exploring zoning and policy changes to increase flexibility for employment spaces and jobs in the area to support local industrial businesses to thrive. 

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  Infrastructure planning

  Infrastructure planning - such as sewer and drainage, traffic management, and pedestrian connections - is essential to safeguarding the long-term viability of the South Vancouver industrial hub. As the area intensifies, coordinated planning for these systems helps ensure that businesses can operate efficiently, goods can move reliably, and people can travel safely throughout the industrial area.

  Kent Avenue serves as a key east-west connection and is considered the transportation spine of the SVIA. Cycling improvements along Kent Avenue have been identified as a Council priority and are a key part of the City's Transportation 2040 Plan. Transportation improvements will focus on improving the public realm and active transportation gaps in the network to enhance the safety and comfort of those walking, biking, and rolling over time. City staff are exploring potential locations for cycling infrastructure along Kent Avenue, in two phases between Elliott Street and Ash Street. 

  We’re exploring strategies for incorporating infrastructure upgrades into land use policy to ensure the area's continued accessibility, functionality, and safety, while minimizing impacts to development. 

Details

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  Background

  On November 14, 2023, Council approved a motion as part of the Industrial Modernization and Intensification Framework – Updates and Policy Recommendations Report PDF file (2 MB), directing staff to increase the supply of employment space and support existing businesses in the area.

  The industrial area adjacent to the Marine Gateway SkyTrain Station was further identified in the Realizing the Full Potential of Exceptional Lands in Vancouver Motion PDF file (26 KB). This motion directs staff to identify sites within the industrial area immediately adjacent to the Marine Gateway Skytrain Station that may be appropriate for housing development.

  This work also aligns with broader city-wide and regional policy directions in the Vancouver Official Development Plan (ODP) (2026). The Vancouver ODP identifies industrial lands as essential to Vancouver’s economic resilience and diversity. These policies emphasize the importance of protecting and intensifying employment areas, while supporting a strong, robust economy. 

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  Key documents

  Project terms of reference

  The terms of reference:

  • Outlines the geography of the planning area
  • Highlights unique opportunities and challenges that will be considered
  • Describes the deliverables and project timeline
  • Provides initial engagement considerations

  Review the Terms of Reference PDF file (901 KB) 

  Phase 1 engagement summary report

  The engagement summary report shares what we heard during the first phase of engagement for the SVIA Zone Review, held from fall to winter 2025.

  Review the South Vancouver Industrial Area Phase 1 Engagement Report PDF file (15 MB)