According to a council report, the City of Vancouver is set to approve new bylaws to increase housing density around SkyTrain stations. By June 30, 2024, Vancouver must designate 29 transit-oriented areas (TOAs) around 27 SkyTrain stations and two bus exchanges.
The TOD framework creates three tiers around transit hubs, with building heights and densities increasing closer to stations. Within 200 meters of SkyTrain stations (Tier 1), buildings can reach at least 20 storeys with a floor area ratio (FAR) of 5.0. However, Vancouver plans to raise this to 5.5 FAR to accommodate more residential and commercial developments.
City council’s proposals include:
- Extending Tier 1 allowances to include commercial spaces like offices and hotels to address a hotel capacity shortage.
- Requiring ground-level retail/restaurant spaces in TOAs without a recent area plan.
- Mandating new rental projects in TOAs to reserve 20% of units at below-market rates or 30% for social housing, with certain rezoning exemptions.
- Granting extra density for heritage preservation projects.
Special considerations will be made for senior housing, First Nations projects, and other specific cases. To minimize displacement impacts, tenant relocation and protection policies will apply to all TOAs. The legislation will significantly impact areas like the Broadway Plan by increasing allowable building heights and densities.
