Vancouver city council review of Broadway Plan could lead to more density

Vancouver city council will be reviewing its Broadway Plan on Wednesday, leading to the possibility of even further densification along the currently under-construction corridor.

The Broadway Plan, adopted by the city in June 2022, has a goal of building more rental towers along the Broadway Subway line.

People who live in the area have noticed the plan in action, with rezoning application signs outside an increasing number of buildings and homes.

A staff report going before council Wednesday says that as of Oct. 1, there were 139 projects in the development pipeline.

But the report, which provides a general update on the plan, also recommends a number of policy amendments and changes.

These include removing limits on the number of high rises allowed on a block in some areas and increasing the height restrictions of those buildings.

Some of the amendments are being recommended so that land use policies are aligned with the provincial government’s Transit Oriented Areas (TOA) legislative requirements.

The plan has been controversial at times. Last month, hundreds of residents rallied outside Vancouver City Hall, calling for a pause to the plan, saying the proposed buildings are too high and will change neighbourhoods too much.

Just this week, more than 20 planning and development experts signed an open letter urging the city to reevaluate the plan, saying there’s a “frenzy” of profit speculation, land banking, and flipping.

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