Broadway Plan Emerging Directions: Character Areas
Welcome to the Character Areas section of the Emerging Directions Virtual Open House
This section introduces land use policy and place specific considerations that are based on community input and analysis of land use, built form, history of change and other key considerations.
Four general character areas have emerged for the Broadway Plan study area:
- Villages
- Residential Areas
- Centres
- Industrial and Employment Areas
These places contribute to the community in different ways and have their own unique qualities. The character areas provide a general spatial framework for how the Broadway neighbourhoods can grow and change to meet community needs.
View the detailed Character Areas Emerging Directions in PDF format.
Complete the survey to provide your feedback.
Welcome to the Character Areas section of the Emerging Directions Virtual Open House
This section introduces land use policy and place specific considerations that are based on community input and analysis of land use, built form, history of change and other key considerations.
Four general character areas have emerged for the Broadway Plan study area:
- Villages
- Residential Areas
- Centres
- Industrial and Employment Areas
These places contribute to the community in different ways and have their own unique qualities. The character areas provide a general spatial framework for how the Broadway neighbourhoods can grow and change to meet community needs.
View the detailed Character Areas Emerging Directions in PDF format.
Complete the survey to provide your feedback.
The Broadway Plan team is happy to answer any questions you may have about the emerging directions for the Character Areas. Please send us a question and we'll get back to you within two business days.
Note: If you have a question about the Broadway Subway, please contact the Province of British Columbia's project team which is responsible for the station design and construction. If you would like more information about the Broadway Subway Project visit broadwaysubway.ca or email broadwaysubway@gov.bc.ca
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Share The city seems to be planning towers of 20 stories in Kitsilano. Please advise how this integrates with your plan to keep the community feel of Kitsilano and respect the low rises around 4th that are in your plan. Towers in kitsilano will absolutely destroy the community. Also, if someone owns a home currently and their view is taken away by a tower, will they be compensated by the city? on Facebook Share The city seems to be planning towers of 20 stories in Kitsilano. Please advise how this integrates with your plan to keep the community feel of Kitsilano and respect the low rises around 4th that are in your plan. Towers in kitsilano will absolutely destroy the community. Also, if someone owns a home currently and their view is taken away by a tower, will they be compensated by the city? on Twitter Share The city seems to be planning towers of 20 stories in Kitsilano. Please advise how this integrates with your plan to keep the community feel of Kitsilano and respect the low rises around 4th that are in your plan. Towers in kitsilano will absolutely destroy the community. Also, if someone owns a home currently and their view is taken away by a tower, will they be compensated by the city? on Linkedin Email The city seems to be planning towers of 20 stories in Kitsilano. Please advise how this integrates with your plan to keep the community feel of Kitsilano and respect the low rises around 4th that are in your plan. Towers in kitsilano will absolutely destroy the community. Also, if someone owns a home currently and their view is taken away by a tower, will they be compensated by the city? link
The city seems to be planning towers of 20 stories in Kitsilano. Please advise how this integrates with your plan to keep the community feel of Kitsilano and respect the low rises around 4th that are in your plan. Towers in kitsilano will absolutely destroy the community. Also, if someone owns a home currently and their view is taken away by a tower, will they be compensated by the city?
Nic asked about 1 month agoThank you for your question, Nic. Staff generally expect to see greater densification closer to Broadway in closer proximity to the future SkyTrain Station. As one moves further away towards the residential areas, staff do not expect wholesale changes of entire areas, but rather incremental change that will create an eclectic mix of building forms within existing neighbourhoods. This may include new 20 storey towers, existing heritage homes, and walk up apartments. Recognising that the scale of change is a concern for some, the Plan includes guidelines to ensure that new buildings are well designed and fit into the neighbourhoods. Some of these guidelines include requiring buildings be set back from the street to maintain green and leafy character, protect heritage buildings, avoid shadowing of parks and public spaces, and smaller floor plates and sculpting of buildings to reduce apparent scale.
With respect to West 4th Ave itself, the Broadway Plan has policy in place that intends to retain the current low-scale village character with a continuous retail/service uses at the street level. The max height for buildings is 6 storeys. For additional details, please click here.
With respect to views, the City has a list of publicly accessible view that it protects (see link here). It does not protect private views.
Lastly, we wanted to let you know that we will be archiving this page. If you have specific comments or questions on rezoning applications you can visit this website https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/hub-page/rezoning-and-development. Alternatively, if you have future questions about the Broadway Plan policy you can email us at broadwayplan@vancouver.ca .
Thank you,
The Broadway Plan Team
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Share This question can apply to both the West 4th and South Granville villages: do these both need to be on major arteries? I am worried about both these areas becoming stroads. The fact Granville St needs to serve heavy thru-traffic means the area, the South Granville village can't be very pedestrian-oriented. If it were made pedestrian-oriented then the thru traffic would route around it to bypass this busy section. Hemlock is already a victim of that. It seems like in retrospect, the better idea would have been to put that commercial stuff on Hemlock and make Hemlock pedestrian oriented village (eg 1 lane, 30kph or perhaps no-cars, crossing signals that change for pedestrians right away, etc) and leave Granville to handle heavy thru traffic. Could the plan be to move it there long term? on Facebook Share This question can apply to both the West 4th and South Granville villages: do these both need to be on major arteries? I am worried about both these areas becoming stroads. The fact Granville St needs to serve heavy thru-traffic means the area, the South Granville village can't be very pedestrian-oriented. If it were made pedestrian-oriented then the thru traffic would route around it to bypass this busy section. Hemlock is already a victim of that. It seems like in retrospect, the better idea would have been to put that commercial stuff on Hemlock and make Hemlock pedestrian oriented village (eg 1 lane, 30kph or perhaps no-cars, crossing signals that change for pedestrians right away, etc) and leave Granville to handle heavy thru traffic. Could the plan be to move it there long term? on Twitter Share This question can apply to both the West 4th and South Granville villages: do these both need to be on major arteries? I am worried about both these areas becoming stroads. The fact Granville St needs to serve heavy thru-traffic means the area, the South Granville village can't be very pedestrian-oriented. If it were made pedestrian-oriented then the thru traffic would route around it to bypass this busy section. Hemlock is already a victim of that. It seems like in retrospect, the better idea would have been to put that commercial stuff on Hemlock and make Hemlock pedestrian oriented village (eg 1 lane, 30kph or perhaps no-cars, crossing signals that change for pedestrians right away, etc) and leave Granville to handle heavy thru traffic. Could the plan be to move it there long term? on Linkedin Email This question can apply to both the West 4th and South Granville villages: do these both need to be on major arteries? I am worried about both these areas becoming stroads. The fact Granville St needs to serve heavy thru-traffic means the area, the South Granville village can't be very pedestrian-oriented. If it were made pedestrian-oriented then the thru traffic would route around it to bypass this busy section. Hemlock is already a victim of that. It seems like in retrospect, the better idea would have been to put that commercial stuff on Hemlock and make Hemlock pedestrian oriented village (eg 1 lane, 30kph or perhaps no-cars, crossing signals that change for pedestrians right away, etc) and leave Granville to handle heavy thru traffic. Could the plan be to move it there long term? link
This question can apply to both the West 4th and South Granville villages: do these both need to be on major arteries? I am worried about both these areas becoming stroads. The fact Granville St needs to serve heavy thru-traffic means the area, the South Granville village can't be very pedestrian-oriented. If it were made pedestrian-oriented then the thru traffic would route around it to bypass this busy section. Hemlock is already a victim of that. It seems like in retrospect, the better idea would have been to put that commercial stuff on Hemlock and make Hemlock pedestrian oriented village (eg 1 lane, 30kph or perhaps no-cars, crossing signals that change for pedestrians right away, etc) and leave Granville to handle heavy thru traffic. Could the plan be to move it there long term?
Wyatt asked over 3 years agoHello Wyatt,
Thank you for your comments and ideas. We have heard from public that there are many transportation and public life goals and desires for the Granville area. The City is therefore planning to take a more detailed look at the long-term roles and functions of Granville, Fir, and Hemlock to see how we can achieve these goals.
The Broadway Planning Team
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Share How can you widen the sidewalks on Broadwaywithout further congesting an already over-congested main arterial thoroughfare? Seems like the perfect recipe for congestion and increased carbon monoxide greenhouse gas emissions in the area. Or are you delusional enough to think that the cars will just go away? on Facebook Share How can you widen the sidewalks on Broadwaywithout further congesting an already over-congested main arterial thoroughfare? Seems like the perfect recipe for congestion and increased carbon monoxide greenhouse gas emissions in the area. Or are you delusional enough to think that the cars will just go away? on Twitter Share How can you widen the sidewalks on Broadwaywithout further congesting an already over-congested main arterial thoroughfare? Seems like the perfect recipe for congestion and increased carbon monoxide greenhouse gas emissions in the area. Or are you delusional enough to think that the cars will just go away? on Linkedin Email How can you widen the sidewalks on Broadwaywithout further congesting an already over-congested main arterial thoroughfare? Seems like the perfect recipe for congestion and increased carbon monoxide greenhouse gas emissions in the area. Or are you delusional enough to think that the cars will just go away? link
How can you widen the sidewalks on Broadwaywithout further congesting an already over-congested main arterial thoroughfare? Seems like the perfect recipe for congestion and increased carbon monoxide greenhouse gas emissions in the area. Or are you delusional enough to think that the cars will just go away?
CliffG asked over 3 years agoHello,
Apologies for the delay. The road reduction will initially be the curb lane in each direction on the blocks around the future 5 subway stations. Over time, the city will make that the standard width for Broadway. The intent is for wider sidewalks for pedestrians/patios. The lane reduction will be done by removing the lanes used for the busses and not private cars.
Hope this helps,
The Broadway Planning Team
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Share Is there a plan to somehow connect great northern way headed north between Main and Clark? Will there be a road that crosses the tracks heading north towards terminal that isn’t either Main or Clark? on Facebook Share Is there a plan to somehow connect great northern way headed north between Main and Clark? Will there be a road that crosses the tracks heading north towards terminal that isn’t either Main or Clark? on Twitter Share Is there a plan to somehow connect great northern way headed north between Main and Clark? Will there be a road that crosses the tracks heading north towards terminal that isn’t either Main or Clark? on Linkedin Email Is there a plan to somehow connect great northern way headed north between Main and Clark? Will there be a road that crosses the tracks heading north towards terminal that isn’t either Main or Clark? link
Is there a plan to somehow connect great northern way headed north between Main and Clark? Will there be a road that crosses the tracks heading north towards terminal that isn’t either Main or Clark?
C C asked almost 4 years agoHello,
The City has long-term aspirations to provide north-south connections across the Canadian National (CN) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail yards. However, at this time we are unsure of CN and BNSF’s plans for the rail yards and therefore not yet able to move forward with these aspirations. When more information is available, we will look for opportunities to implement these connections.
Best regards,
The Broadway Planning Team
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Share In your recent answer to David, you respond in part with this statement: “Generally the most extensive change would occur in the Centres, but even so redevelopment would be on limited sites in most places.” Is the concept of “redevelopment on limited sites in most places” applicable to the RT Areas? on Facebook Share In your recent answer to David, you respond in part with this statement: “Generally the most extensive change would occur in the Centres, but even so redevelopment would be on limited sites in most places.” Is the concept of “redevelopment on limited sites in most places” applicable to the RT Areas? on Twitter Share In your recent answer to David, you respond in part with this statement: “Generally the most extensive change would occur in the Centres, but even so redevelopment would be on limited sites in most places.” Is the concept of “redevelopment on limited sites in most places” applicable to the RT Areas? on Linkedin Email In your recent answer to David, you respond in part with this statement: “Generally the most extensive change would occur in the Centres, but even so redevelopment would be on limited sites in most places.” Is the concept of “redevelopment on limited sites in most places” applicable to the RT Areas? link
In your recent answer to David, you respond in part with this statement: “Generally the most extensive change would occur in the Centres, but even so redevelopment would be on limited sites in most places.” Is the concept of “redevelopment on limited sites in most places” applicable to the RT Areas?
rlh asked almost 4 years agoHello,
Thank you for your question. Generally, in the RT areas we will be exploring ways to diversify the housing choice with new rental apartment options while fostering a mix of building types. For more details on RT areas, check out the Emerging Directions for the ‘Residential Areas’ on pg. 15 of our boards.
Over the coming months, we will be working on more detailed land use policy directions and have further opportunities for public engagement.
Best regards,
The Broadway Planning Team
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Share Is it probable the Broadway Plan Study will result in minimal up zoning in the vast majority of the areas, but still significantly increase public benefit contributions via CACs and DCLs upon redevelopment? on Facebook Share Is it probable the Broadway Plan Study will result in minimal up zoning in the vast majority of the areas, but still significantly increase public benefit contributions via CACs and DCLs upon redevelopment? on Twitter Share Is it probable the Broadway Plan Study will result in minimal up zoning in the vast majority of the areas, but still significantly increase public benefit contributions via CACs and DCLs upon redevelopment? on Linkedin Email Is it probable the Broadway Plan Study will result in minimal up zoning in the vast majority of the areas, but still significantly increase public benefit contributions via CACs and DCLs upon redevelopment? link
Is it probable the Broadway Plan Study will result in minimal up zoning in the vast majority of the areas, but still significantly increase public benefit contributions via CACs and DCLs upon redevelopment?
David Price asked almost 4 years agoHello David,
Thank you for your question.
The Broadway Plan Emerging Directions consider intensification (i.e. increased height and density) in strategic locations to enable new affordable housing and job space, and contributions towards public benefits. Generally the most extensive change would occur in the Centres, but even so redevelopment would be on limited sites in most places.
Most new development would pay DCLs. CACs from rezonings would be guided by the DCE Policy (https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/development-contribution-expectations-policy-appendix-c.pdf). Overall the City’s priorities for increased height/density are affordable housing and job space. Cash or in-kind CACs for public benefits (e.g. childcare, cultural space) from additional strata density would be considered in limited circumstances. The Broadway Plan Public Benefits Strategy will also consider innovative funding tools and approaches (e.g. co-location of community facilities) to enable the delivery of community amenities in the area.
Hope this helps,
The Broadway Planning Team
