Vancouver to review guidelines protecting ocean, mountain views

Vancouver city council has asked staff to look into so-called “view cones” to see if the space can be used for housing, office space, hotel builds, or other public benefits.

Coun. Peter Meiszner brought forward a motion during Wednesday’s Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities meeting calling for a review of the city’s View Protection Guidelines.

“I think it’s the responsible thing to do given the housing crisis and the situation that we’re in. It has been 13 years since these view cones have been reviewed,” he said.

The guidelines outline 26 protected corridors dating back to 1989 that ensure views of mountains and oceans are unobstructed.

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Meiszner says given the low vacancy rates and sky-high rents in the city, it’s time to look into putting the protected corridors to better use.

“In Vancouver, we do have some view cones put in 30 years ago that are seriously limiting the amount of housing we can develop on key sites downtown, as well as on the Broadway corridor,” he explained.

“Our city is missing out on not just housing, but office space and the jobs that go with it.”

However, the councillor assures the scenery won’t be blocked out altogether.

“Nothing about this motion is going to change those big panoramic views like the view from Queen Elizabeth Park, for example,” he said.

During the discussion of the motion, business and housing leaders expressed support for the move. The motion passed unanimously after some amendments.

City staff will now have until the middle of next year to provide council a full report outlining obsolete view cones that could be repurposed.

With files from Srushti Gangdev