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2 VFK Community Vision

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Vision HighlightsVFK TodayVictoria-Fraserview/Killarney (VFK) is a large and diverse area onVancouver’s sunny south-eastern slope. Residents value its establishedsingle-family neighbourhoods, newer communities of ChamplainHeights and Fraserlands, and the busy commercial areas that provideconvenient local shopping. The area’s two community centres and manyparks are heavily used by residents. Many of VFK’s neighbourhoods haveunique local identities and a strong sense of community.

VFK’s Vision is focussed on making the community even better: enhanc-ing safety; improving the attractiveness of parks, streets, and schoolgrounds; and reducing the impacts of through traffic on the community’sarterial streets. Residents want more input into a range of communitydecisions and want improvements to their shopping areas, walking andbiking routes, and community facilities. The Vision supports additionalduplexes and low rise seniors’ housing to help accommodate thechanging housing needs of residents as they age.

Reduce the Impact of TrafficThe conditions and safety for residents, pedestrians, and transit usersshould be substantially improved on all arterial streets in the commu-nity. There should be more enforcement of traffic rules, improvedpedestrian crossings, safer intersections, increased regulation of truck-ing, and additional planting and public art. Several secondary arterialsshould be reclassed as collectors to ensure they are not widened orchanged to accommodate increased traffic volumes and speeds. Transitshould be made more attractive, for example, by adding new expressservices on high volume routes.

Improve Biking & Walking RoutesCommunity walking and biking routes used to access schools, commu-nity centres, and shopping should be made more attractive. Initiativesshould include additional greening, sidewalks where none currentlyexist, improved pathways through parks, better crossings of busy streets,shelters, beautification, and more bike racks.

Reinforce & Improve Shopping AreasThe Victoria Drive, Collingwood, and Champlain Mall shopping areasshould be enhanced. All should be kept cleaner, maintain a range ofshops and services, improve pedestrian safety on streets and be mademore attractive. In both Victoria and Collingwood more convenientparking should be provided and sidewalk merchandise displays shouldbe encouraged but their coverage of the sidewalk limited. Mixed usedevelopment should be better designed. Future changes to ChamplainMall should contribute to the Vision Directions. In Fraserlands, localserving retail should be encouraged on the vacant land on the west sideof Kerr.

Protect the EnvironmentThe City and other levels of government should lead by example, andencourage residents, to recycle more, use less water, and improve airquality.

3VFK Community Vision

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Index PageProvide Greener, More Inviting Streets & Public PlacesPark designs and activities should be more varied to serve a diversepopulation. School grounds should be transformed into attractive, usablecommunity spaces. More mini-parks should be created along the Fraser.Streets should be pleasant green links connecting neighbourhoods, andthere should be more street trees, planting in boulevards, and land-scaped traffic circles and corner bulges. Views from public places likeparks and streets should be protected.

Improve City Facilities & ServicesThe Park Board should work together with other community agencies toenhance youth programs. More specialized recreation facilities forchildren and youth should be provided. Killarney Pool should be refur-bished or expanded. Additional senior’s facilities should be located atKillarney or Champlain Community Centres. The Champlain andFraserview Branch Libraries should stay at or near their present locationsand should better coordinate their services. All community programsshould encourage the participation of newcomers and non-Englishspeakers. Information on City services should be more consistentlyavailable within the community in locations, forms, and languages whichare convenient.

Expand Community InvolvementCommunity residents should have greater, and more timely, input intodecisions about changes in their community including the provision ofCity facilities and services, development projects, street and trafficchanges, transit, parks, and the location of drug treatment facilities.

Maintain Existing NeighbourhoodsIn order to retain the basic character of VFK, most single-family areasshould be retained. As well, the pattern of land uses, parks, and streets inChamplain Heights and Fraserlands should be kept and proposals tochange existing development in these areas should be carefully evaluatedfor their impacts on neighbourhood character. The City should improveits rental suite complaint resolution procedures. Changes to existing“comprehensive development” zoning should require a rezoning processwith appropriate community consultation.

Add Housing VarietyAdditional duplexes should be permitted, if they fit into the neighbour-hood and if adequate community services are provided for additionalresidents. Some small, low-rise developments designed for seniorsshould also be permitted near parks, shopping, and transit. If the woodproducts mill east of Kerr closes, the City should initiate a major studywith significant public consultation to consider the future uses of thearea, including a range of housing options.

Create a Safer CommunityResidents want their community to feel even safer. Community PolicingCentres should have some on-going funding to ensure stability. Indi-vidual and community crime prevention efforts should be encouraged,including Block Watch, citizen patrols, improved lighting in higher crimeareas, building and park design reviews, and more crime preventionprograms in schools. Police should be more responsive to local concernsand needs, including doing more patrols on foot and by bike.


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Index PageThe following CityPlan Direc-tions provide a checklist for

Community Visions:

Strengthen neighbourhoodcentresProvide shops, jobs, and servicesclose to home, and create safe,inviting public places to meet andsocialize.

Improve safety and better targetcommunity services

Identify ways to increase safety; tobetter provide community services;and to use arts and culturalactivities to support communityidentity and participation.

Reduce reliance on the carMake it easier to get around onfoot, by bike, and by transit.

Improve the environmentSuggest ways to improve airquality, conserve water and energy,and reduce waste.

Increase the variety andaffordability of housingFind ways to help meet thehousing needs of communityresidents of all ages and incomes.

Define neighbourhood characterDefine what aspects of neighbour-hood character, heritage, andappearance to retain, and decidethe character of new development.

Diversify parks and publicplacesMeet park needs, and identify avariety of designs, activities, andlocations for all kinds of publicplaces, from play areas togreenways and gathering places.

Involve people and redirect

resourcesFind new ways to involve peopleand to redirect resources to bringCityPlan Directions and theCommunity Vision to life.

Vision BackgroundWhat Is This Vision?This Vision describes the kind of community that people who live and work inVictoria-Fraserview/Killarney (VFK) want it to become over the next 10 to 20 years,and how CityPlan Directions should be implemented in VFK. It identifies whatpeople value and want to preserve, what improvements are needed, and howchange should occur. It will be used at City Hall to help set priorities for capitalprojects, direct City programs and services, and make decisions affecting this com-munity. It is also an opportunity for community organizations and individuals to acton programs that the community has endorsed.

How Was This Vision Created?The Vision Directions were developed by people who live and work in VFK. Theprogram began in Spring 1999 with community outreach, and a weekend VisionsFair in February 2000. The heart of the process was a series of intensive publicworkshops in Spring 2000 where over 500 people spent many hours developingideas and options on a variety of topics. From these sessions, Vision Directions werecreated and published in the Community Vision Choices Survey, distributed to allhouseholds, businesses, and property owners in June 2001. In addition, a specialrandom sample with the same survey was done. Over 2900 people responded to thesurvey to create a shared Vision for the future. In January 2002 the Vision Directionsthat were supported by the survey were approved by City Council.

A Community Liaison Group, which was composed of a wide range of communityvolunteers, provided continuity throughout the process, served as a “watchdog” ofthe process to ensure that community input was carried through, and advised staffon community outreach and other matters.


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Index PageAn Overview Of The CommunityVisions Program

This Vision is based on CityPlan:Directions for Vancouver, whichwas adopted in 1995 as an overallvision for the city. In July 1996Council approved the CommunityVisions Program as a way ofbringing CityPlan’s city-widedirections to the community leveland reaching all communitieswithin several years. The programTerms of Reference describe theground rules and process forcreating a Community Vision. Theprogram asks each community toimplement CityPlan directions in away and at a scale and pace thatsuits the community.

Making The Vision HappenThe Community Vision sets broad Directions for the future. Some of these Directionswill happen almost immediately, others over many years.

Implementing the Vision can be done without increases to the City budget. The Cityhas a wide variety of tools and programs that can be used to implement the Vision,like capital plans, zoning, traffic calming, business improvement area assistance,bikeways, and greenways. The Vision will help to set priorities and to direct funds toprograms which achieve the Vision over time.

Continued community involvement will be necessary, to set priorities and as VisionDirections are translated into actions and projects through more detailed planning— for example, to identify specific locations and design of new types of housing, andto design improvements to community shopping areas. Combined action by the Cityand the community is needed to make the Vision happen.


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Vision DirectionsIntroduction

This section presents the Vision Directions grouped into eight themes, with direc-tions for 29 specific topics. Different types of information are provided:

Background InformationIntroductory material for each theme and topic provides information on the existingsituation and on existing City policies and practices.

Vision DirectionsThe Survey asked people to respond to draft Directions on a range from StronglyAgree to Strongly Disagree. Below each Vision Direction is noted the percentageagreement it received in the general and random survey. Complete statistics andsurvey methodology are available in a separate publication Report on the Generaland Random Surveys.

Most Directions received enough agreement to become “Approved” - 50% or morefrom the general survey respondents, and 55% from the random respondents.

When a Direction did not receive the necessary level of agreement, but agree votesstill outweighed disagree votes, the Direction is marked as “Not Approved (Uncer-tain)”. Comments are made about its future role. If a Direction has more disagreevotes than agree votes, it is noted as “Not Approved (Non-Support)”.

Some questions asked people to select from a list of options, rather than indicatelevel of agreement. Because respondents could select as many or few options as theywished , the results do not add up to 100%, and indicate relative preferences ratherthan “Support” or “Non-Support”.

People’s IdeasFor many Directions, there were specific ideas generated at the community work-shops, and these are listed. They are for information and future reference but arenot part of the formally approved Directions.

Topics Not Included In The Vision DirectionsThe Vision Directions cover the topics that were identified at the community work-shops as important for the community.

For some topics that were not addressed at the workshops, there are city-widepolicies already in place that will continue to apply in VFK. Examples are policies onnon-market housing for lower income households, special needs residential facili-ties, and heritage preservation. These are described in “sidebars” within this docu-ment. Where rezoning is required, community consultation takes place on a projectspecific basis.

For any other topics not included in the Vision Directions, the City will still need toconsult before major changes are made in the community.


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Traffic andTransportation

Traffic and its impacts are major issues in VFK. VFKhas some of the city’s busiest streets – in terms ofboth car and truck traffic. Knight, 41st, Marine, Bound-

ary, Kingsway, and parts of Kerr carry more than 25,000 vehi-cles per 24-hour period. Knight is also the City’s most heavily-used arterial for truck travel, followed closely by 41st andMarine. Knight, along with 49th and Victoria, has some of thehighest accident intersections in the city (e.g. Knight and 49thhad 59 crashes in 1995, the most recorded in the city).

The Vision addresses a number of transportation issues forVFK, including improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, transitriders and general safety. (Other Directions related to streetsare in SHOPPING AREAS or GREENING PARKS, STREETS,AND PUBLIC PLACES).

The specific streets included here are those identified aspriority streets at the Vision Fair and the community work-shops. These are:• the busiest streets in VFK (Knight, Marine, Boundary, 41st,and Kingsway)• less-busy streets where pedestrians, bikes, and transitshould be encouraged (Victoria, 49th, and Kerr)• streets which should be removed from the arterial network(Argyle, Elliott/Clarendon, Champlain/Matheson/Tyne, 54th,and 57th)• improved pathways through VFK parks


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Knight: needs speed control, safer crossings, andmore regulation of trucks

1 Knight Street

Knight is, and will continue to be, one ofthe busiest streets in the city. It is thecity’s major north-south truck routelinking the Knight Street Bridge to theport. This makes it a difficult street tolive on, walk along, or cross. The Trans-portation Plan calls for a study of thewhole Knight/Clark route, responding tothe need to maintain truck access whileimproving conditions for those who liveon or near the street.

1.1 Improve Conditions and Safetyon Knight StreetApprovedThe conditions and safety along Knightfor residents, pedestrians, and transitusers should be substantially improvedby:• improving pedestrian safety at

crosswalks and on sidewalks

• more enforcement of traffic rules andregulations

• improving safety at intersections

• further regulation of trucks• adding trees, other plantings, public

art, and wider sidewalks

• education about and support forpublic transit.

Percent agree 80%/78%

People’s Ideas…• restrict hours of truck use, useinside lanes only, no use of enginebrakes, and find alternative regionaltruck routes to reduce congestion(e.g. a direct and fast connectionfrom the border to 401)

• improve sidewalk safety andcomfort on Knight (wind fromtrucks and buses in the curb lanebuffets pedestrians and sucks themtoward the road, which is especiallyfrightening for kids and seniors)

• add pedestrian-activated signalswith shorter waiting times

• synchronize lights and add warn-ing that lights are about to change toreduce ‘red-light running’

• restrict left-turn bays or signals onKnight to minimize traffic whichturns to pass through VFK

• use cameras to enforce speedlimits and reduce ‘red-light run-ning’, improve speed limit signs,and increase policing• restrict traffic to fewer lanes (thenextend sidewalks, or create medianrefuge or use for bike or bus lane),or retain on-street parking at alltimes

• promote SkyTrain and the use ofqueue jumpers for buses (short buslanes or other priority measureswhich allow buses to by-pass trafficat congested intersections or bridge-heads)

2 Marine, Boundary, 41st, and Kingsway

Marine, Boundary, 41st, and Kingswaywill continue to be primary arterialsused by traffic travelling across the cityand region. They are truck and transitroutes. Traffic volumes and vehiclemixes make them difficult streets to liveon or to cross. Kingsway has specialneeds for pedestrians crossing to reachits many retail stores (also see SHOP-PING AREAS). Marine is a major barrierbetween the Fraserlands community andthe rest of VFK. (Also see Directions inPublic Transit and SAFETY, COMMU-NITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES).

2.1 Improve Conditions and Safetyon Marine, Boundary, 41st, andKingswayApprovedMarine, Boundary, 41st, and Kingswayshould have the conditions and safetyfor residents, pedestrians, and transitusers substantially improved by:• improving pedestrian crossings

• more enforcement of traffic rules andregulations

Types of Streets

Primary arterials: serve throughtraffic and provide access to theregion’s major roads. Theygenerally have two or moremoving lanes of traffic in eachdirection, high traffic volumes,traffic signals, and rush hourparking or turning restrictions.Most are truck and transit routes.

Secondary arterials: also servethrough traffic but they aregenerally narrower and less busythan primary arterials (althoughsome, like 12th, have high trafficvolumes). They may not be bus ortruck routes.

Collector streets: provide aconvenient route through aneighbourhood, linking localstreets to arterials. Traffic volumesshould be lower than for secondaryarterials and they should not bedesigned to serve through trips.

Local streets: provide access tohomes. They are generallybordered by residential uses andused primarily by residents of theneighbourhood. Traffic volumesare low.

Truck routes: provide throughroutes for large trucks (generallytrucks with three or more axles) ondesignated primary and secondaryarterial streets. These trucks musttravel on truck routes except whentheir origin or destination is not ona truck route — then they musttake the shortest route to theclosest truck route.


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Index PageCity Transportation Plan

The City’s Transportation Plan wasapproved by City Council in May1997. The Plan’s most importantdirections include:• not expanding the existing

network of arterial roads in thecity

• improved transit and expandedcycling

• better conditions for pedestrians,especially in communityshopping areas

• traffic calming to protectneighbourhoods from throughtraffic

• improved truck access formoving goods

• future growth in commuter tripsto the downtown to be served bytransit, instead of creating morecar trips.

Marine: regional route needsmore enforcement of trafficregulations

• improving the safety of intersections

• further regulation of trucksPercent agree 81%/80%

People’s Ideas…• shorten waiting times for pedestrian-activated signals

• restrict hours of truck use, trucksuse inside lanes only, no use of enginebrakes, and find alternative truckroutes to reduce congestion

• strictly enforce speed limits

• use cameras to enforce speed limitsand reduce ‘red-light running’, improvespeed limit signs, and increase policing

• more left-turn bays at busy intersec-tions (e.g. Boundary and Kingsway)but not where they would increasetraffic cutting through VFK

3 Victoria, 49th, and Kerr

Victoria, 49th, and Kerr are secondaryarterials and designated in the Transpor-tation Plan as having potential for‘increased priority for pedestrians,bicycles, and transit’. Vision Directionsaddress problems with pedestrian safety,particularly in commercial areas on Victoria,around schools, and at Champlain Mall.

3.1 Improve Conditions and Safetyon Victoria, 49th, and KerrApprovedThe conditions and safety for residents,pedestrians, and transit users alongVictoria, 49th, and Kerr should besubstantially improved by:• improving pedestrian crossings and

adding pedestrian activated lights

• improving intersection safety

• further regulation of trucks

• adding trees, other plantings, andpublic art

• reducing speeding, and increasingenforcement of traffic rules andregulations (e.g. addressing illegalstops at bus stops, and parking nearcrosswalks) especially on Victoria

• educating people about traffic rulesand transportation alternatives


People’s Ideas…• restrict hours of truck use, trucksuse inside lanes only, no use ofengine brakes

• reduce speed limit, and retain on-street parking all the time (orremove on-street parking for peakperiods, with provision of off-streetparking — particularly on Victoriafrom 41st to 49th)

• add more pedestrian lights,sidewalk extensions, centre medianrefuges (e.g. 49th and Elliott, 49thand Nanaimo, Kerr and 55th, out-side London Drugs on Victoria at41st), and introduce ‘pedestrianpriority’ area (on Kerr near the twoschools)

• synchronize lights and add warn-ing that lights are about to change toreduce ‘red-light running’

• add left-turn bays or signals atbusy intersections (e.g. Kerr and49th)

• promote trip reduction plans (e.g.‘walking school bus’ encouragesparents to take turns walkingneighbourhood children to school)

3.2 Victoria/Argyle Truck RouteApprovedRemove Victoria and Argyle from thecity’s truck route network. In so doing,truck traffic will likely be diverted ontoother city truck routes, like Knight,Marine, and Boundary.Percent agree 63%/58%

People’s Ideas…• reduce congestion by re-routingtrucks

• redesign intersection of Victoriaand Argyle which is too wide andunsafe

41st: primary arterial needsmore and safer pedestriancrossings

Victoria: secondary arterial needs increasedpriority for pedestrians, bicycles, and transit


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Champlain: redesignate as collector

4 Argyle, Elliott/ Clarendon,

Champlain/Matheson/Tyne, 54th, and 57thThese streets are now secondary arteri-als which carry relatively low trafficvolumes and pass through predominantlyresidential neighbourhoods. The Trans-portation Plan and Vision Directionssupport their reclassification to neigh-bourhood collectors. As neighbourhoodcollectors they would continue to givelocal traffic access to arterial roads butthey would not be widened or improvedto increase the amount of traffic they carry.

4.1 Redesignate Argyle, Elliott/Clarendon, Champlain/Matheson/Tyne, 54th to Tyne, and 57thApprovedIn accordance with the proposal in theTransportation Plan, the City shouldredesignate Argyle, Elliott/Clarendon,Champlain/ Matheson/Tyne, 54th toTyne, and 57th as neighbourhoodcollectors to ensure these streets are notwidened or changed to accommodateincreased traffic volumes or speeds.Percent agree 74%/72%

4.2 Improve Conditions and Safetyon Argyle, Elliott/Clarendon,Champlain/Matheson/Tyne, 54th,and 57thApprovedThe conditions and safety for residents,pedestrians, and transit users alongArgyle, Elliott/Clarendon, Champlain/Matheson/ Tyne, 54th, and 57th shouldbe substantially improved by:• improving pedestrian crossings

• reducing traffic speed

• improving intersection safety

• increasing enforcement of traffic rulesand regulations


People’s Ideas…• add more pedestrian lights,sidewalk extensions, centre medianrefuges (e.g. 54th from Elliott toKerr)

• add left-turn bays or signals atbusy intersections (e.g. Kerr and54th), traffic lights (e.g. at 46th andElliott), and traffic circles (e.g. Elliottand Vivian) but eliminate left turnfrom Matheson to Arbor

• narrow the streets or their lanes

• limit left-turn bays off of arterialsonto collectors

• retain on-street parking all thetime

• make collectors discontinuous todiscourage through traffic

• reduce speed limit to 40 km/h• allow no traffic signals except atintersection with arterials

• create planted centre boulevards


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Index PageCurrent Traffic-CalmingApproaches

Neighbourhood-wide trafficcalming plan: needed whencalming on one street would diverttraffic to other residential streets.This approach can take two tothree years to complete, involvingmany public meetings, openhouses, and surveys.

Property-owner initiated circlesor bulges: owners agree to payfor a traffic calming device.Enough residents must vote for theinitiative, and then all residentscontribute to the cost of theimprovement.

Criteria-based traffic calming:used for an individual problemstreet or street segment. Theprocess starts with a residentrequesting calming on a street.City staff evaluate the requestusing criteria which measure theextent of the problem. The criteriaused by the City include:• high traffic volumes and/or

speeds• proximity to schools, play-

grounds, and other pedestrian/traffic generators

• proximity to a greenway orbikeway

• area subject to City-initiatedprojects

• recent increases in traffic due tonew development or other trafficchanges.

Based on the evaluation, eachrequest is placed on a priority listof streets to be calmed. Each yearthe City pays for traffic calming onthe highest priority streets. Streetsnot funded in one year are carriedover to the next year’s list.

Speed table: raised pedestrian crossing to slowcars

5 Traffic Calming on Residential Streets

Local streets should carry low volumesof local traffic travelling at moderatespeeds. The Transportation Plan recom-mends lowering the speed limit on alllocal streets to 40 km/h. In some cases,through and/or speeding traffic consist-ently occurs on local streets. Trafficcalming reduces the speed or volume oftraffic on these streets to increase safetyand livability. Traffic calming may employtraffic circles, speed humps, cornerbulges, traffic diverters, stop signs orother types of signs, street closures,street narrowing, raised crosswalks, andpedestrian islands/refuge areas (sometimesplanted).

Traffic calming can be put in place usingone of three approaches (described inthe sidebar):• neighbourhood-wide traffic calming

plan

• property-owner initiated and fundedcircles or bulges at intersections

• city-funded traffic calming on streetswith problems confirmed by measur-able criteria

The Vision Directions support thesemethods, but also propose the City gobeyond acting on a complaint basis.

5.1 Residents Should Use TrafficCalming ProgramsApprovedWhere needed, VFK residents shouldtake advantage of the City’s programs tobring traffic calming measures to streetsin VFK.Percent agree 66%/66%

People’s Ideas…• add accident data and non-localtraffic volumes to assessment criteria

5.2 City Initiation of Traffic CalmingApprovedBecause some communities are reluc-tant to complain or are unaware of Cityprograms, the City should go beyondresponding to resident requests andbegin to proactively conduct its owncriteria-based evaluation, initiating trafficcalming where required.Percent agree 59%/63%

5.3 Innovative Traffic CalmingMeasuresNot Approved (Uncertain)In addition to the traffic calming meas-ures listed above (i.e. traffic circles,speed humps, etc.) the City shouldconsider using the following:• 40 km/h speed limit

• ‘chicanes’ (i.e., street wiggles)

• textured pavement to slow traffic

• public art/fountains

• ‘woonerf’ or street layouts whichallow walking, playing, parking, andtraffic movement to equally share thestreet (maximum speed is pedestrianspeed)

• encourage street-reclaiming with blockparties and street festivals organizedby residents.


Comments: This Direction did notreceive high enough agreement in therandom survey to be consideredsupported, but still had more agreethan disagree responses. It is classed asUncertain, and remains on the table forconsideration and public discussion infuture planning.


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6 Public Transit

The Transportation Plan recognized thatmuch of the future growth in trips mustbe accommodated by emphasizingtransit usage on the existing road system(supplemented with rapid transit).Control of transit has recently passedfrom the provincial level to a regionalbody named TransLink which plansfinances, and operates the system.Within Vancouver, the City owns theroads the buses operate on, and isresponsible for bus shelters, whethertraffic signals give priority to buses, andhow the streets are designed for buses.The Transportation Plan recommendsthat the City also work with the Regionto create:• better bus stops, bus shelters, and

boarding areas (e.g. with timetablesand maps)

• more frequent buses

• measures to give transit priority overcars on streets (e.g. bus bulges)

• community mini-buses• a city-wide network of express bus

routes (including 41st) and rapidtransit.

The Vision Directions address ways tomake transit more attractive to users.

6.1 Bus Priority MeasuresApprovedThe speed and ease of boarding busesshould be increased on all routesthrough bus priority measures such asbus bulges.Percent agree 61%/64%

People’s Ideas…• provide bus bulges on streetswhere road capacity is available

• provide buses with bus lanes orother priority measures whichwould allow them to by-pass trafficat congested intersections

6.2 Limited Stop Express ServiceApprovedLimited stop express service should beadded on high volume routes such as49th, Victoria, Kingsway, and Knight.Percent agree 73%/72%

People’s Ideas…• reduce travel times by reducing the

number of stops new ‘limited express’buses would make along major routeslike 49th and Victoria

• add more express routes, especiallyalong Victoria, to get people to workon time

• have an express bus to UBC along 49th

6.3 Improve the ‘Transit Experience’ApprovedThe ‘transit experience’ (the comfort,convenience, and efficiency experiencedby users as they wait for or ride thesystem) should be improved in order toattract riders.Percent agree 69%/69%

People’s Ideas…• post bus timetables and routemaps (consider enlarging print)

• improve boarding areas (e.g.weather protection, lighting andsecurity, bike racks)• provide washrooms at majorlocations

• use more transit promotions likecheaper bus passes


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6.4 Increase Bus System CapacityApprovedTransLink’s efforts to increase thecapacity of the bus system should besupported.

Percent agree 66%/66%People’s Ideas…• increase bus size, or have betterventilated buses

• improve connections betweenroutes (e.g. bus to bus transfers,more buses)

• increase frequency of service:minimum 10 minute off-peakfrequency• improve service for Champlainresidents and Killarney High stu-dents to and from Joyce Station

• route the Richmond/Metrotownbus on 49th

6.5 Shuttle Bus South of 49th

ApprovedTransLink’s proposal to improve busservice through the use of a communityshuttle bus serving the areas south of49th should be implemented as soon aspossible, including better service inChamplain Heights and the Fraserlands.Percent agree 69%/65%

People’s Ideas…• provide some form of transitservice to Holy Family Hospital(7800 Argyle) so visitors do not haveto drive

• use smaller community shuttlebuses on fixed routes to improveservices to local destinations• use ‘taxi-buses’ with flexible,demand-responsive routes toconnect to the regular city bussystem and for use in non-peak

times (reducing gas consumptionand air pollution)

• improve bus service to theFraserlands and Champlain Heights

6.6 Local Involvement in TransitDecisionsApprovedLocal involvement in transit decisionsshould be enhanced.Percent agree 77%/74%

People’s Ideas…• customer comment card

7 Greenways and Bikeways

Greenways, bikeways, and bikelanes arenetworks of routes designed to improvethe experience of cycling and walkingwithin the city. Work is underwaythrough various City programs:• greenways, to provide much enhanced

walking and cycling routes

• bikeways and bikelanes to provide morefunctional routes specifically for bikes

7.1 Greenway Routes and BikewaysApprovedGreenways should link major walkingdestinations within and outside of VFKand should provide safe crossings atmajor streets. The planned CityGreenways along Vivian, 59th/Rosemont,and the Fraser River Trail should beimplemented as soon as possible.Proposed city-wide bikeways within VFKshould be planned and finalized.Percent agree 69%/68%

7.2 General Walking and BikingImprovementsApprovedThe frequently-used pedestrian andbiking routes within VFK shown on themap should have additional greeningand other types of improvements:• installation of sidewalks on streets

now without sidewalks

• better pedestrian and bike crossings ofarterials

• beautification of streets and sidewalks(e.g. tree-lined streets, benches,special paving, lighting)

Bus bulge: helps bus priority, more boardingspace

Greenways: streets and routesenhanced to create an interestingand safe environment for walkingand recreational cycling. TheVancouver Greenways Plan wasdeveloped with public consultationand approved in 1995. It identifiestwo kinds of greenways:City Greenways which have beenplanned to create a city-widenetwork (the Ridgeway route isnearing completion along 45th/37th); andNeighbourhood Greenways

which create pleasant localconnections, are smaller in scale,and are initiated by neighbourhoodgroups, who receive technical andfunding support from the City.

City-wide greenway: Ridgeway


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Index Page• more rain shelters and public wash-

rooms along walking routes.


People’s Ideas…• provide better lighting alongwalking routes (e.g. 54th andKillarney, 49th and Argyle), perhapswith emergency phones and betterpolicing

• add sidewalks along 54th betweenStirling and Victoria, and aroundTecumseh Park• build a hard-surface pathwayaround Captain Cook Park

• build curb ramps which aremissing on several sidewalks con-necting with the seniors’ homesnear 54th and Kerr

• fix pot holes on Kent and gravelshoulders on Elliott/54th

• improve pedestrian and bikecrossings of arterials like Victoria (at42nd and 43rd), along 54th (atKillarney, between Kerr and Tyne,and at Argyle), at 56th and Kerr,across Kerr from Fraserview GolfCourse to Everett Crowley Park,Nanaimo (at 49th), and at theKnight Street Bridge

• use pedestrian-activated andaudible signals and better streetmarkings, increase size of walk signs

• reduce conflicts between bikes,blades, scooters, and pedestrians onpopular routes or areas (e.g. thetrack at Killarney Park)• include community gardens alongthe route, and have more recrea-tional activities planned for parksand community centres to encour-age walking


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Index PageBikeways: bike routes which crossthe city on local streets whichparallel arterials. These streetshave features that make them‘bicycle-friendly’. For example,traffic circles can be installed toslow cars but not bikes and cyclist-activated crossing signals can beprovided where a Bikeway crossesa busy street.

Bikelanes: narrow marked areasfor bikes on some arterial streets.This is a relatively new idea forVancouver, introduced by theTransportation Plan.

7.3 Bike Parking and RacksApprovedBike parking and racks should be morereadily available in VFK, particularly atmajor destinations.Percent agree 63%/62%

People’s Ideas…• provide bikelane and racks alongVictoria commercial areas, atChamplain Mall, and at congestionpoints (Victoria to 48th)

• use bike racks that attach to lightpoles rather than free standingdesigns (take less space)

• make bike racks available on buseson all major transit routes

7.4 Bike Access for Victoria andKingsway Shopping AreasApprovedBike access to and through the VictoriaDrive and Kingsway shopping areasshould be improved, including consid-eration of bikelanes as part of a city-widecommuter network (this would beconsidered as part of a more detailedplan, to see if it fits with improvementsfor pedestrians, shoppers, and transitusers).Percent agree 56%/55%

Bike racks in commercialareas


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Safety,CommunityServicesandFacilities

V ictoria-Fraserview/Killarney has a large and diversepopulation with many languages, ethnic backgrounds,and income levels. The population has been growing

and becoming more diverse at a faster rate than the city as awhole. These factors create challenges to providing the safety,recreational, and social services that people need.

Most health and social services are funded by the province,and provided either directly by Ministries or through variousagencies. The Vancouver/Richmond Health Board is responsi-ble for health and community care services, including manyfor seniors. VFK is served by the South Community HealthOffice, one of five health units in the city. It is now located atKnight and 48th but the Board has considered relocation.

Out of the broad range of services and service providerswithin Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney, the Vision concentrateson the services which are either provided directly, or partlyfunded, by the City.

Paying for Services and FacilitiesThe City pays for many of the services and facilities involvedin policing, recreation, libraries, and so forth, mainly throughproperty taxes. Some new sources of funds — user chargesand Development Cost Levies — are now being pursued bythe City.

The CityPlan direction on City finances is to continue to becautious about increasing spending. Generally speaking, newservices would need to be paid for by redirecting funds nowspent on other items or in other areas. There are also usuallymore requests for new facilities than can be funded in anyone period, so there is often a waiting period of years beforea facility is expanded or rebuilt.

Safety,CommunityServicesandFacilities


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Index PageVFK and the city8 Community

SafetyVFK’s overall crime rate is lower thanthat of most other local areas in the city.In 1998, the rate of property crimes inVFK was among the lowest found in anyof the city’s local areas. The rate ofcrimes against people (‘violent crimes’)fell slightly below the mid-point amongthe city’s local areas.

Community Policing Centres (CPCs)have been created to improve commu-nity involvement in crime prevention.VFK is covered by two CPCs, althoughtheir offices are both located just to thenorth of the community’s boundaries.The Vision Directions address threecomponents of crime prevention:individual actions, community initia-tives, and policing approaches.

8.1 Individual Actions to ImproveSafetyApprovedIndividuals should take responsibility forreducing the likelihood they or theirproperty will be affected by crime.Possible actions include making theirhomes more burglar resistant, getting toknow their neighbours, joining BlockWatch, and using ‘street proof’ proce-dures when outside their homes.Percent agree 89%/86%

People’s Ideas…• join Block Watch, Park Watch, andSafety Patrol• improve parent/child relationshipsand discussions of crime and youthgangs

• don’t leave valuables in cars

• seek out information on makingyour home and car more theftresistant

• learn techniques to reduce riskwhen outside the home such as walkwith a companion, don’t carry largepurses, avoid dangerous locations,etc.

• know what your children are doingand who they are doing it with

Collingwood Community Policing Centre

8.2 Community Actions to ReduceCrimeApprovedCommunity Policing Centres shouldhave some on-going funding to ensurestability. CPCs, the City, the PoliceDepartment, and the community shouldstrengthen crime prevention efforts,including more citizen patrols, improvedlighting in high crime areas, review ofbuilding design and landscaping toreduce opportunities for crime, andwider use of crime prevention andeducation programs in schools.Percent agree 89%/88%

People’s Ideas…• start a ‘Pooch Patrol’ wherepeople walking their dogs report onsuspicious activity

• give school credits for participat-ing in a ‘teen patrol’ which has theskills and training to reportcrimes

• provide more in-school educationon crime awareness, prevention,and avoidance

• offer education programs onbeing a good citizen, respectingothers/property, etc.

• provide accessible (translated)material on how to identify andreport crimes, including growoperations and drug dealing• look at park and walkway land-scaping with safety in mind

• have schools teach kids to recog-nize and resist gang recruitmentmethods


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Index PageCommunity Policing Centres

There are 18 Community PolicingCentres (CPCs) operating indifferent neighbourhoodsthroughout the city. They arededicated to helping to reducecrime through crime preventioneducation, public awareness, andcommunity involvement. They arestaffed mainly with local volunteers.Every office has a neighbourhoodpolice officer assigned to work withthe local population. Theseorganizations seek to enhancecommunity safety by providingvisible and accessible servicesthat are sensitive to the needs ofthe neighbourhood. The centresrely on support and cooperationfrom the Attorney General’s Office,local residents, businesses, thepolice, and the City, although CityCouncil policy is not to provide on-going funding after a start-upperiod. VFK is served by twoCPCs, the Collingwood CPC onJoyce Street near SkyTrain andthe South Vancouver CPC onVictoria Drive in the new LondonDrugs development at 41st.

8.3 Police Services MoreResponsive to Community NeedsApprovedPolice services should be more respon-sive to local concerns and needs. Thereshould be more patrols by police on footand bicycle, particularly in areas of thecommunity with high crime rates.Percent agree 91%/91%

People’s Ideas…• support more Bike Patrols

• provide more frequent patrols

• improve availability and role of thePolice Department’s school liaisonofficers

• increase Police Departmentinvolvement in setting up BlockWatch

The City’s Drug Prevention PolicyAfter a city-wide discussion, City Councilrecently approved a comprehensivechange in approach to the drug prob-lem. Despite enforcement efforts, a largeshare of crime in the city is related todrug use and the drug trade. The Cityhas proposed a ‘four pillar approach’which supplements enforcement withprevention programs to reduce thenumber of new users, harm reductionto decrease the damage suffered by drugusers, and enhanced treatment to helpusers to address their dependency. Theapproach recognizes that drug issues arenot restricted to one area of the city andrecommends community-based facilitiesfor treatment and needle exchange.Implementation discussions with thefederal and provincial governments andtheir agencies, particularly the healthboard began in late 2001.

8.4 Community Consultation on theLocation of Treatment CentresApprovedWhen the City and VRHB begin to planfor the number and location of localtreatment centres, needle exchanges,and other facilities, they should includeextensive consultation with the localcommunity.Percent agree 77%/79%

People’s Ideas…• improve drug, alcohol, and mentalhealth services

• offer special programs for at-riskyouth including early intervention

• make drug and alcohol addictiona health issue

• adopt safe injection sites

9 Recreation Facilities and Services Provided by the CityKillarney Community Centre andChamplain Heights Recreation Centreserve the Victoria-Fraserview/Killarneyarea and roughly meet the Park Boardgoal of providing one community centrefor approximately every 20,000 people.They provide sport, recreation, andsocial programming for a wide range ofresidents from infants to seniors.Killarney Community Centre includes anindoor pool and an ice rink. Both areold, and needing seismic upgrading andrefurbishing. Champlain Heights Recrea-tion Centre also works in conjunctionwith the Champlain Heights CommunitySchool to provide programming in theschool’s two multi-purpose rooms forcommunity activities. As a condition ofrecent redevelopment of the ChamplainMall site, the developer will fund amodest expansion of the ChamplainHeights Recreation Centre.

Vision participants identified two areasof VFK which are not adequately servedby existing centres:• residents from the south-western

section of VFK cannot easily access thecentres by foot, bike, or transit

• the Fraserlands area is cut off from therest of the community by Marine Driveand does not have a school or commu-nity facilities.


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Index PageNon-government CommunityServices

The community is also served bythe South Vancouver Neighbour-hood House at 6470 Victoria whichis operated by a non-profitorganization. It provides social andrecreational programs for a varietyof groups. The City of Vancouverprovides some of its funding. TheNeighbourhood House is currentlyrebuilding its facility on Victoriaand has a vision of providingadditional services in other sharedfacilities within VFK. SouthVancouver Family Place atNanaimo and 61st providesprograms for parents and youngchildren. The Boys & Girls Clubhas a facility at 7595 Victoria. Itoffers programs for youth aged 6to 18.

9.1 A New Centre Near Victoria/KnightApprovedThe Park Board should create a commu-nity centre-like facility in the south-westquadrant of VFK with programs to meetthe needs of the community.Percent agree 63%/65%

People’s Ideas…• create a small centre (like Kensing-ton) in this area

• encourage the Park Board to userooms, gym in a school for commu-nity programs

• the Park Board should work withother organizations such as theSchool Board, NeighbourhoodHouse, Boys & Girls Club, the SouthVan Seniors’ Network, immigrantservice groups, and others to pro-vide additional facilities/programs insouth-west VFK

9.2 New Facility in FraserlandsApprovedThe Park Board, in partnership withinterested organizations,should pursuethe creation of a community facility inthe Fraserlands area either in conjunc-tion with the anticipated new elemen-tary school or as a separate facility. Spaceand programs should be suitable forFraserlands residents.Percent agree 63%/58%

People’s Ideas…• build a school with communityspace in Fraserlands

• create a partnership to makeunder-used recreation facilities inthe area’s high-rises available to theother residents in Fraserlands

• encourage South VancouverNeighbourhood House and/or theBoys & Girls Club to be involved insetting-up a satellite facility inFraserlands to offer communityprograms to residents

9.3 Improve Killarney PoolApprovedThe pool at Killarney Community Centreshould be seismically upgraded andimproved to better meet the needs ofthe community or be expanded into abigger indoor pool which draws usersfrom a larger area.Percent agree 74%/76%

People’s Ideas…• improve access to Killarney pool

• build a pool at Champlain HeightsRecreation Centre

• improve the pool at Killarney

• build a ‘destination’ pool atKillarney

9.4 Improve Killarney Ice RinkApprovedThe ice rink at Killarney should beseismically up-graded and improved tomake it compatible with the needs ofusers.Percent agree 65%/62%


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Killarney Community Centre

Aquatic Facilities

The current Park Board policy is toprovide an indoor pool forapproximately every 50,000people. There are nine indoorpools to serve the city’s populationof about 550,000 people. Mostpools are rapidly reaching the endof their practical service life and adecision will soon be requiredabout their replacement. ParkBoard is currently doing a majorstudy of existing pool facilities andfuture options. The study looks atthe capital/operating costs andcommunity service implications ofdifferent approaches to providingpool services. The choice rangesfrom rebuilding existing indoorpools through to closing someindoor pools and replacing themwith one or two larger, centrallylocated facilities which may includesome features of a ‘destination’pool such as waterslides, a wavegenerator, etc. The study includesprovisions for extensive publicconsultation.

9.5 Facilities and Programs forYouthApprovedMore facilities for children and youthshould be provided such as a skateboardpark, water spray parks, and play-grounds. Programs for youth should beenhanced by a coordinated initiative ofthe Park Board, South Vancouver Neigh-bourhood House, Boys & Girls Club,and other interested parties.Percent agree 76%/78%

People’s Ideas…• conduct a youth survey on whereto go and what to do

• provide night lighting for a soccerfield in Champlain to let kids prac-tice rather than ‘hang out’

• provide a drop-in centre for youth

• encourage public/private partner-ships (corporate or club sponsor-ship)

SeniorsFor several years, public discussionshave identified the need for additionalresources for seniors in this part of thecity. New facilities anticipated in VFK atthe time of the Suvey were:• alterations to the field house on the

east side of Killarney Park to create asmall free-standing seniors’ centre

• new offices in Killarney CommunityCentre for the South VancouverSeniors’ Network and the SouthVancouver Seniors’ Council, whowould program the field house

• a new multi-use room in ChamplainHeights Recreation Centre which maybe used by teens, seniors, and others

• an expanded library at Champlain Mallwith a community room to be used byvarious groups, including seniors.

Funding for all of these improvementswould largely come from the ChamplainMall redevelopment.

The longer term goal of the SouthVancouver Seniors’ Network has been alarge seniors’ centre which combinesoffices for service providers with a widevariety of facilities and programs for

seniors. This centre would serve thewhole of South Vancouver and may belocated outside VFK. There are ninecentres of this type in the city but nonein south-east Vancouver. After the Surveywas finalized, City Council approved$500,000 for a new 3,500 square footseniors’ centre attached to KillarneyCommunity Centre. It would replace thefield house and proposed communitycentre offices for seniors’ groups listedabove. The seniors’ centre is consistentwith the response to Direction 9.6 and itis supported by the South VancouverSeniors’ Council and Network. Matchinggrants from senior government wouldbe required before construction couldbegin.

9.6 Seniors’ CentreApprovedServices should be improved for seniorswith a variety of linguistic and culturalbackgrounds. The enhanced servicesshould be accessible to residents of thecommunity’s seniors’ housing develop-ments and should be located in: (Re-spondents could select none, any, or allof the following options so the re-sponses do not add up to 100%)a. the planned facility in the fieldhouse

in Killarney ParkPercent agree 37%/37%b. Killarney Community Centre and

Champlain Heights RecreationCentre

Percent agree 64%/60%c. a larger dedicated seniors’ centre

serving all South Vancouver whichmay be located outside of VFK.


People’s Ideas…• provide a dedicated space forseniors in the community centres

• build a seniors’ centre inChamplain Mall

• create a large, comfortable spacein the community centres which isused by seniors during the day andteens in the evenings

• create a free standing centre forseniors

• set up a place where seniors cango for meals, meetings, bridge andmah jong games, and ESL classes

More facilities for youth


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Champlain HeightsRecreation Centre

Improve services for seniors

Child Care

The City partners with seniorgovernments, the private sector,the community, and parents todevelop and maintain anaffordable, high quality, andcomprehensive child care systemin Vancouver. The City helpssupport child care by:• providing grants to Neighbour-

hood Houses and Family Placesfor services to families withsmall children

• working with community centresto support child care

• providing grants to support non-profit child care services

• leasing land at reduced rates tonon-profit child care societies

• using Development Cost Levieson new development to supportdaycare

• negotiating for child care inlarger projects as part of theirrezonings

• creating a society to manageCity-owned child care facilities.

The Vision does not proposechanges in the City’s approach tohelping provide child care.

9.7 Community Arts ProgramsApprovedExisting community arts programsshould be more widely utilized in VFKand expanded to include creativepartnerships with other communityorganizations.Percent agree 54%/57%

People’s Ideas…• more projects like the DiscoveryProject’s bus shelters and theKillarney Community Centre mosa-ics

• involve more children in commu-nity arts programs

• get schools, community centres,and South Vancouver Neighbour-hood House more involved

• create a community theatreprogram

• develop a street banner programwhich is distinctive to the communityand which uses kids’ art

9.8 Inclusive ProgramsApprovedAll recreational and community pro-grams should encourage the participa-tion of newcomers and non-Englishspeakers.Percent agree 70%/74%

People’s Ideas…• help newcomers to know aboutprograms by translating advertise-ments

• design programs for new residents(ESL classes, getting to know yourcommunity, etc.)

• encourage volunteer teachers byoffering tax receipts for time donated

10 Library Facilities and Services

The Vancouver Public Library operatesthe Fraserview and Champlain HeightsBranch Libraries. There are currently noplans to move or expand the Fraserviewbranch. As a condition of redevelopmentof the Champlain Mall site, the devel-oper has paid the cost of expanding theChamplain Heights Branch Library andrelocating it to the ground floor of theexisting commercial building.

10.1 Fraserview Branch LibraryApprovedIf the Fraserview Branch Library were toexpand or rebuild it should remain at ornear its present location, avoiding siteswhich have inadequate parking orcongested traffic.Percent agree 79%/81%

People’s Ideas…• allow people to combine visits tothe library with shopping trips byrelocating the Fraserview Library tothe Victoria Drive commercial areaof VFK

• keep Fraserview Library in itspresent location — good accessibil-ity to the community

• consider redevelopment of thelibrary site (perhaps with mixed use)if it would result in an expansion ofthe library

Fraserview Branch Library


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Index PageSpecial Needs ResidentialFacilities

The term ‘Special Needs ResidentialFacilities’ (SNRFs) refers to varioustypes of group housing for peoplewho need some form of support orassistance in their living place.People who benefit from this housinginclude the frail elderly, people withsevere physical disabilities,battered women, children in care,people who have a mental illness,people with developmental delays,people in need of emergencyshelter, people under the supervisionof Corrections, and the terminally ill.The City’s zoning permits SNRFsin all residential zones. WithinVictoria-Fraserview/Killarney thereare 17 SNRFs with 725 beds. Thisrepresents 14% of the SNRF bedsin the city. This is higher thanVFK’s share of the city’s population(10%). Ninety-two per cent of theSNRF beds in VFK are in 7 largeseniors’ facilities.

10.2 Improve Library ServicesApprovedThe services of Fraserview andChamplain Heights Branch Librariesshould be modified to better serve thepublic based on a review of factors suchas opening hours, collections, transla-tion of instructions, and availability ofInternet access.Percent agree 84%/83%

People’s Ideas…• make open hours longer and/ormore compatible with needs ofresidents (more evenings)

• provide more opportunities forInternet access

• stagger closing days of Fraserviewand Champlain Heights Libraries

• provide more friendly readingareas (e.g. comfortable chairs)

• expand the collections to includemore materials and activities for ESLand low literacy residents (e.g. storytapes, talks, groups)

11 ImprovingAwareness andAccessibility ofCity Services

The City provides a range of services.Workshop participants felt additionaleffort should be put into making theseservices more widely known in thecommunity and more easily accessibleto residents.

11.1 Information about ServicesApprovedThe awareness of City services shouldbe improved through initiatives tomake information on these servicesmore consistently available within thecommunity in locations, forms, andlanguages which are convenient forresidents and businesses.Percent agree 75%/77%

People’s Ideas…• use flyers, community newspapers,and community kiosks to let peopleknow about available services

• make information on serviceseasily available at libraries, commu-nity centres, and shopping areas/centres

• use small ads with an Internetaddress or other sources of moredetailed information

• use schools, churches, etc. to passinformation on services to students,parents

11.2 Community Services in orNear Shopping AreasApprovedWhenever community services such ascommunity centres, neighbourhoodhouses, health centres, etc. are consider-ing new facilities or relocations, locationsin or near the shopping areas should begiven strong consideration due to theiraccessibility and high community profile.Percent agree 76%/75%

11.3 Welcoming NewcomersApprovedNewcomers to the community should beprovided with information on thecommunity including: communityfacilities, programs and events; parks andsports; shopping areas and commercialservices; and cultural and religious organi-zations.Percent agree 66%/69%

People’s Ideas…• provide a ‘welcome wagon’ toacquaint new residents with what isavailable in the community

• start classes on area’s history andorganizations for newcomers

• develop ways to better welcomeand integrate newcomers into thecommunity

• start a program like the WhiteRock Newcomers Club


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Most of Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney consists of singlefamily neighbourhoods and two large comprehensivelyplanned residential areas — Champlain Heights and

the Fraserlands. The Vision recognizes that these areas areimportant to the character and stability of VFK.

ExistingResidentialAreas

ExistingResidentialAreas


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12 Single FamilyHouses andRental Suites

The single family area of VFK is zonedRS-1 and RS-1S. Both zones have thesame regulations for house size andposition on the lot. In both zones anyhouse may have a family suite, that is, asuite occupied by relatives or homesupport such as a nanny or senior’scaregiver. However, only the part of VFKzoned RS-1S allows houses to have arental suite. This was based on commu-nity consultation that occurred about 10years ago.

12.1 Maintain Most Single FamilyAreasApprovedIn order to retain the basic character ofVFK, most of the area that is now singlefamily (including areas where rentalsuites are allowed) should be kept thatway (exceptions would only occurwhere the community supports newhousing choices as described in Sections16-22).Percent agree 80%/80%

12.2 Rental Suites in More AreasNot Approved (Uncertain)Houses with a rental suite should bepermitted in more areas of VFK thannow, in order to provide ‘mortgagehelpers’ and affordable housing, butonly if the suites:• are rental rather than strata-titled

• have an on-site parking space fortenant use

• pay their fair share of costs for services(garbage, schools, water, etc.)

• are provided with adequate commu-nity facilities (parks, schools, etc.) andservices for the additional population.


Comments: This Direction did notreceive the necessary agreement ineither survey to be classed as supported.However, the agree and neutral votessubstantially outweigh the disagree votesso it is classed as Uncertain. Uncertaindirections remain topics for more publicdiscussion should planning on this topicoccur in future.

12.3 Improve EnforcementApprovedThe City should improve the efficiencyand effectiveness of its enforcementprocedures to solve complaints gener-ated by rental suites such as parkingproblems, poor maintenance of thedwelling or yard, and noise.Percent agree 78%/79%

People’s Ideas…• increase fines to cover cost ofmore staff

• let people know what happenedas a result of their complaint

• increase penalties for repeatcomplaints to a level that acts as areal incentive to correct the problem

13 Design of NewSingle FamilyHouses

New houses frequently replace olderones. Currently the RS-1/RS-1S singlefamily zoning in VFK controls the height,yard sizes, total floorspace, and garagesize of new houses. Tree removal is alsolinked. However, present regulations donot control the visual appearance,character, or landscaping of new houses.

The City has some single family zones(RS-5, 6, and 7) that include some levelof design review for new houses andtheir landscaping. In the past five years,where neighbourhood groups couldshow there was sufficient interest, theCity undertook detailed surveys todetermine whether there was supportfor zoning that included design review.Now about a third of the single familyareas in Vancouver have this zoning.

Rental Suites Enforcement

Vision participants expressedconcern that enforcement of thesuites by-laws appears inconsist-ent and ineffective. Action isusually taken only in response to acomplaint. Participants saw somemerit to this approach since mostsuites peacefully co-exist withneighbours. However, they felt thatthere should be more effectiveresolution of complaints whensuites create impacts like localparking problems, excessivenoise, or poor upkeep.

Since suites have been permittedin RS-1S areas, relatively fewowners have made their suiteslegal by taking out a City permit.The City plans to review thebuilding code standards andenforcement practices related tosuites to remove, whereverappropriate, barriers to bringingmore suites into legal conformityand to develop a more effectiveenforcement strategy andcapability.

Typical single family streetscape


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Index PageAlthough there was not significantinterest from VFK at that time, partici-pants felt residents should be offeredthe choice of whether to pursue designreview.

13.1 Design Review for New SingleFamily HousesApprovedThe design of new single family housesshould be improved through putting inplace one of the design control zonesthat the City has already developed, ifthere is sufficient support within anarea.Percent agree 67%/62%

People’s Ideas…• encourage pitched roofs; avoid‘wedding cake’ forms (second floornarrower than the first); reflectcharacter of existing houses

• control only the features theneighbourhood finds most unat-tractive

• reduce garage width

• make compatible stock plansavailable

• require more and better landscap-ing; encourage low, transparentfences in front yards

14 Older CharacterBuildings andHeritage

Much of VFK was undeveloped orremained as farms and orchards untilthe 1940s. Returning war veteransstarted a housing boom that lastedthroughout the ‘50s and ‘60s.Champlain Heights was the last majorarea of Vancouver to develop. VFK hasvery few older buildings, and many post-war houses have already been redeveloped.

The Vancouver Heritage Register (VHR)lists pre-1940 buildings that have par-ticular historical or architectural signifi-cance. Their owners can take advantageof some zoning relaxations which maymake it easier to keep and renovatethem. VFK has only 14 buildings on theVHR.

More Planning andConsultation Before Changes

Vision Direction 13.1 would requirerezoning. More detailed planningwith community involvement wouldtake place before any zoningchanges are made.

Design Review in Single Family

Zones

The RS-1/RS-1S zones whichcover the single family areas ofVFK only control the uses, size,and placement of the building, withno controls on design at all. TheRS-6 and RS-7S single familyzones include regulations on somebasic design aspects such aslimiting the types of materials usedor requiring trim around windows.They also have some basicguidelines for landscaping. TheRS-5/RS-5S single family zonesprovide the option of no designreview or full design review. Fulldesign review is based on designguidelines that address style orcharacter, massing, entry design,materials, details, and landscap-ing. Projects agreeing to designreview get to build slightly morefloorspace than a non-designreview project. A permit for adesign review project takes longerto approve and has a higherprocessing fee.

The City’s Tree Bylaw controls theremoval of larger trees (over 8”diameter) in all single familyzones. For new development,removal is only permitted undercertain conditions. Owners ofexisting houses may obtain apermit to remove one tree a year.In both cases, replacement treesare required.

New house: example with no design review

New house: example with no design review

New house: example with full design review


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5872 Wales

1940’s houses

14.1 Add Buildings to theVancouver Heritage RegisterApprovedAdd appropriate pre-1940 buildings tothe VHR, and in addition, include theexcellent examples of 1940 to 1980buildings and streetscapes that exist inVFK. For structures listed in the ex-panded Vancouver Heritage Register, theCity should encourage retention byimplementing additional incentiveswhich are suitable in areas like VFK.Percent agree 60%/58%

People’s Ideas…• preserve typical post-war housesbefore they disappear; includeaward-winning housing projectsfrom the ‘70s or ‘80s in ChamplainHeights

• move examples of small clapboardhouses built for returning armedforces personnel to public sites forpublic uses such as a neighbour-hood house, daycare, etc. (probablyonly way they can be preserved)

14.2 Retaining the Avalon Dairyand 5872 WalesApprovedAs the highest priority heritage buildingin VFK, there should be a plan for theAvalon Dairy so that it can be saved ifthreatened. Look at future possibilities,in conjunction with the VHR-listedhouse at 5872 Wales and the adjacentVancouver School Board works yard.Percent agree 69%/66%

People’s Ideas…• functioning dairy, ‘Museum ofMilk’, ‘urban farm’

• preserve the site by allowingtransfer of density to other sites

• transform 5872 Wales into acultural centre or seniors’ home

14.3 Retaining Character BuildingsApprovedIn order to encourage retention of‘character’ houses and other buildings,there should be incentives to renovateand/or disincentives to demolish.Percent agree 67%/68%

People’s Ideas• allow additional density, suites,more use of transfers of density(allowing an owner preserving asmall house to sell some of thedensity which is not used on thatsite to the owner of another site)

• create more flexible BuildingCode requirements

• inform people of the City’s Reno-vation Centre which helps renova-tions through the permit process

• charge higher fees for demolition

Avalon Dairy

CD-1 Zoning

Many developments in Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney are on largeparcels zoned CD-1, or Compre-hensive Development. CD-1s are‘tailor-made’ zonings used by theCity where standard zoning isn’tsuitable for the proposed uses orbuilding design. Since the ‘80s CD-1 regulations have included a lot ofdetailed requirements, but earlierCD-1 regulations were often quitevague and general. In addition,older CD-1 sites are often built todensities lower than thosecommon today. Across the city,these older parcels are beingredeveloped to higher densities.Examples include ArbutusGardens at Arbutus and 33rd, andChamplain Mall.

The City has generally requiredchanges to developments on CD-1sites to undergo a rezoningprocess, culminating in a publichearing. However, in the case ofthe redevelopment of ChamplainMall, which had an old CD-1, thenature of the regulations led it tobe approved without a rezoning.While the process did includecommunity consultation,participants felt residents’ interestswere not as well protected, and theCity’s powers over the develop-ment were not as great, as with arezoning.


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Index Page14.4 Recognizing More of VFK’sHistory in Other WaysApprovedThe area’s history should be recognizedby incorporating artifacts and interpre-tive information in parks, streets, andcommercial areas. Various types of areahistory — social, ecological, aboriginal,agricultural, industrial — as well asbuilding heritage should be remem-bered.Percent agree 65%/66%

15Champlain Heights and the Fraserlandsare comprehensively planned areaswith various forms of multi-familyhousing, parks, and facilities. The planfor the 207 hectare Champlain Heightsarea was approved in 1968. The planfor the 105 hectare Fraserlands areawas approved in 1989. Participants feltthat both areas were generally success-ful neighbourhoods and no majorchanges were proposed other than toadd needed facilities. (See Directionsunder SAFETY, COMMUNITY SERVICESAND FACILITIES).

Because some Champlain Heightsdevelopments on CD-1 zoned sites aregetting older, there have been propos-als for additions to, or replacement of,existing buildings. Participants felt theprocess for one such site, ChamplainMall, was inadequate. A Vision Direc-tion addresses any future changes toCD-1 sites in Champlain Heights,Fraserlands or the rest of VFK.

15.1 Maintain Champlain Heightsand Fraserlands AreasApprovedThe pattern of land uses, parks, andstreets in Champlain Heights andFraserlands should be kept onceFraserlands housing has been com-pleted as planned. Proposals to add toor replace existing rental, strata-title orco-op housing should be carefullyevaluated for their impacts on theexisting neighbourhood character.Percent agree 79%/77%

15.2 Process for CD-1 Zoned SitesAnywhere in VFKApprovedWhen anything other than a small changeis proposed to a development on a sitezoned CD-1 — whether in its buildings oruses — the City should undertake arezoning process in order to ensureappropriate community consultation andto provide the City with the ability to denyor impose conditions on the proposeddevelopment.Percent agree 74%/69%

Multi-family housing: Champlain Heights

Champlain Heights,Fraserlands,and CD-1 Sites


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V ision participants looked at the future housing needsof VFK residents, ranging from young singles andcouples to families with kids, to seniors. Some, like

singles and couples, prefer apartments or rental suites inhouses. Families with children want the features of singlefamily homes like bigger units, private yards, basements, andindividual front doors — but at an affordable price. Manycouples whose children have left home also want thesefeatures and continue to stay in their single family homes.

By 2021 VFK’s existing residents will have created the de-mand for almost 4,000 (25%) more households — today’schildren will grow up and have their own families; somecouples will separate and become two households. Some willmove away, but others will want to stay in VFK. Besides theincreased housing demand from existing residents as theyage, people will also move to Vancouver from elsewhere andsome will settle in VFK.

There are limited opportunities to meet this demand formore housing in VFK. Very few additional single family lotsare available. Under existing zoning, there could be someapartments in Fraserlands and above stores in the commercialareas along Victoria and Kingsway, some duplexes on VictoriaDrive between 41st and 54th, and some additional rentalsuites in the north-west area. In total, the capacity is about1,000 more housing units, with over half of the capacity inapartments above stores. Vision participants considered thevarious types of housing, (noting that VFK already has a mixof housing types) and created options for providing mainlynew ‘ground-oriented’ housing.

Participants were concerned that population growth associ-ated with new housing may reduce the level of service exist-ing residents enjoy with parks and other community facilities.As a result, each housing option is conditional on an increasein community facilities and programs needed to serve anypopulation growth.

Combining various options for new housing types results inthe potential for different numbers of new units. The table atthe end of this section provides statistics on both the demandfor housing and the number of units which would result fromthe different choices.

Note that some Directions did not receive the necessaryagreement in either survey to be classed as supported.However, when agree and neutral votes substantially out-weigh the disagree votes the Direction is classed as Uncertain.Uncertain directions remain topics for more public discussionshould planning on this topic occur in future.

NewHousingTypes

NewHousingTypes


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16 Infill

Infill describes a smaller second buildingon a lot, usually behind the main house.‘Coach house’ or ‘granny flat’ are othernames for this type of unit. Normally, thegarage is on the main floor with thedwelling above. An infill unit may beadded to a lot with an existing home orbuilt in conjunction with a new house.On larger lots (50 foot frontage or more)it is possible to build infill units whilekeeping the existing home. However, onsmaller lots an existing house rarely hasa wide enough side yard to provide therequired fire-fighting access. As a result,small lot infill is not feasible unless it isbuilt in conjunction with a new mainhouse. Infill units may be strata-titled orrented.

16.1 Infill as a New Housing TypeNot approved (Uncertain)Housing variety should be increased inVFK by allowing some infill develop-ment, provided that the units are:• designed to fit into the single family

area, with good landscaping

• constructed with adequate on-siteparking

• provided with adequate communityfacilities (parks, schools, etc.) andservices for the additional population.


People’s Ideas…• ensure infill does not overwhelmthe main building• consider privacy and access tosunlight of infill unit and neigh-bours’ yards

• let owner use for extended familyor rental but no separate title

• restrict the number per block —too many will wreck single familyfeeling

• set maximum height to work withhomes

• access to separate entrances easyon corner lots

16.2 Possible Locations for InfillInfill housing which meets the conditionsin Direction 16.1 should be considered(Respondents could select none, any, orall of the following options, so responsesdo not add up to 100%. Percentagesbelow are only for respondents agreeingto 16.1):a. along Marine Drive - 39%/41%

b. near some parks - 32%/30%

c. behind the Victoria Drive commercialarea - 29%/25%

d. throughout single family areas on anylot - 24%/23%

e. throughout single family areas butonly on lots 50 feet or wider - 42%/39%

f. throughout single family areas onlyon corner lots which are 50 feet orwider - 21%/21%

g. none of the locations above - 8%/7%

Large lot infill example

Development Cost Levies

In January 2000 the City begancollecting an Interim DevelopmentCost Levy (DCL) on a city-widebasis. Each market housing unit inprojects with more than four unitsand each square foot of newcommercial or industrial spacenow pays a fee to help finance theparks, daycare, and affordablehousing needed to serve anincreasing population andemployment base. Studies areunderway to determine what thefinal levy should be and how therevenue should be distributed tocover the costs of growth.


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Index PageMore Planning andConsultation Before Changes

If the community supports a VisionDirection proposing a new housingtype or location, a rezoning wouldbe required before the newhousing could be built. Moredetailed planning with communityinvolvement would take placebefore the rezoning occurred. Thisplanning would deal with preciseboundaries, phasing thedevelopment over time, traffic andparking impacts, firefightingaccess, needs for additionalservices and facilities (includingparks), developer contributions forcosts, etc.

17 Duplexes

A duplex provides two units on a parcelof land. Each unit can be individuallyowned, usually by strata-title. The unitsmay be side by side, front-to-back, orup-and-down.

17.1 Allow Additional DuplexesApprovedMore housing variety should be providedin VFK by allowing duplexes in moreareas, provided that the duplexes have:• roughly the same height and the same

sized front and rear yards as singlefamily homes

• designs which are attractive and fitinto the neighbourhood, with goodlandscaping

• adequate on-site parking

• adequate community facilities (parks,schools, etc.) and services for theadditional population.

Duplex example

Duplex example

Traditional Rowhouses

People’s Ideas…• require more traditional styles inareas with older buildings, moremodern styles elsewhere

• design to be compatible withsingle family homes next door

• allow conversion of some existinglarge houses to duplexes


17.2 Possible Locations forDuplexesDuplexes which meet the conditions inDirection 17.1 should be considered(Respondents could select none, any, orall of the following options, so re-sponses do not add up to 100%. Per-centages below are only for respondentsagreeing to 17.1):a. along Marine Drive - 46%/47%

b. along all transit routes - 53%/54%c. throughout the single family areas of

VFK but only on corner lots with awidth of 50 feet or more - 47%/48%

d. none of the locations above- 7%/9%

18 Rowhouses

Rowhouses are defined as a series ofattached housing units which do nothave side yards. Traditional rowhouseshave a single row of units with front andrear entrances; they usually have indi-vidual garages or parking areas. Court-yard rowhouses are grouped around acommon open space; they have under-ground parking and are usually ar-ranged as two rows of units facing eachother across a courtyard. Courtyardunits may be rented, owned cooperatively,or strata-titled. Traditional rowhousesare usually individually owned.

Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney already hasmany rowhouse developments inChamplain Heights and Fraserlands.


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Behind Victoria Drive Commercial Area

Possible Locations for New Housing Types(general locations referred to in Directions 16.2, 17.2, 18.2 & 19.2)

Along Some Transit RoutesNear Some Parks

Adjacent to Commercial/Mixed-Use Zones

Along All Transit RoutesAlong Marine Drive


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18.1 Additional RowhousesNot approved (Uncertain)Some additional rowhouses should bepermitted in VFK provided they are:• designed to be compatible with single

family neighbourhoods and adjacenthomes; with good landscaping

• located in select areas and built assmall projects rather than as a wide-spread replacement for existinghousing types

• provided with adequate on-siteparking



People’s Ideas…• require high level of landscaping

• do not allow garage entries fromstreet

• ensure rowhouses have articula-tion (projections, bays) rather than along, flat, monotonous look• require good transition fromrowhouses to adjacent single family

• consider a shorter front yard if itwould produce a wider side yard(reduced impact on adjacent singlefamily)

• prefer traditional rowhousesbecause of appearance and betterair circulation through units

18.2 Possible Locations forRowhousesRowhouses which meet the conditionsin Direction 18.1 should be consideredin single family areas (Respondentscould select none, any, or all of thefollowing options, so responses do notadd up to 100%. Percentages below areonly for respondents agreeing to 18.1):a. along Marine Drive - 47%/43%

b. along some transit routes - 55%/53%

c. near some parks - 46%/43%

d. adjacent to commercial/mixed usezoning to provide a transition tosingle family areas - 55%/56%

e. none of the locations above - 6%/2%

19 Low-rise Apartments

Apartments generally provide smaller,lower cost units which appeal to a varietyof household groups, particularly peoplejust entering the housing market andseniors who are no longer willing or ableto maintain single family homes. Theymay be rented, owned cooperatively orstrata-titled.

Vision participants suggested a numberof options for 3 to 4 storey apartmentswith landscaped yards or courtyards.

Low-rise apartment example

19.1 Low-rise ApartmentsNot Approved (Uncertain)A limited number of low-rise apart-ments, with a maximum height of fourstoreys, should be permitted in VFKprovided that they are:• designed to be compatible with single

family neighbourhoods and adjacenthomes; with good landscaping

• located in select areas and built assmall projects rather than as a wide-spread replacement for existinghousing types

• provided with adequate on-siteparking



Rowhouse example


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12 storey high-rise

Non-Market Housing

New housing that is built in thenormal development market —‘market housing’ — is usually notaffordable to lower incomehouseholds, regardless of the typeof housing it is. The City assists inproviding more affordable ‘non-market housing’ for lower incomehouseholds in a number of ways:• directly funding affordablehousing with money approved inCapital Plan plebiscites• leasing City land, in some casesat substantial discounts, to non-profit housing sponsors who buildhousing funded by the B.C.government• using housing agreements withdevelopers, where they includelower cost or guaranteed rentalsuites in their market projects inreturn for additional density• using funds from DevelopmentCost Levies to assist in buyingland or paying for housing unitsdirectly.These non-market projectsgenerally require a site specificrezoning, with communityconsultation taking place in eachcase. Additional non-markethousing directions were notsuggested.

People’s Ideas…• require public open space whendensity is increased

• ensure design fits with nearbysingle family housing

• use more traditional styles in areaswith older buildings

• require landscaped setback

19.2 Possible Locations forLow-rise ApartmentsA few low-rise apartments, which meetthe conditions described in Direction19.1, should be considered in singlefamily areas (Respondents could selectnone, any, or all of the following op-tions, so responses do not add up to100%. Percentages below are only forrespondents agreeing to 19.1):a. along Marine Drive - 42%/38%

b. along some transit routes - 63%/58%(Knight, Marine, 41st, Boundary,49th)

c. adjacent to some parks - 37%/30%

d. adjacent to commercial/mixed usezoning to provide a transition tosingle family areas - 51%/45%

e. none of the locations above - 6%/8%

20 High-riseApartments

High-rise apartments are 12 or morestoreys in height. They generally providesmaller units, and may be rented orowned.

20.1 High-rise ApartmentsNot Approved (Uncertain)A few high-rise apartments should bepermitted along Marine Drive providedthat they are:• well-designed, quality projects with

good landscaping• provided with adequate on-site

parking



People’s Ideas…• be careful of shadowing on otherdwellings

• create new parks and communityservices to meet needs of newpopulation

• reduce land cost component of eachunit and produce more affordablehousing by permitting apartments

• less maintenance by residents• build close to transportation andservices for new residents

• allow only a few, high quality projects


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Index PageSeniors’ Housing Rezonings

Community support of VisionDirection 21.1, could requireindividual ‘site specific’ rezonings.That means that when a grouporganizing housing for seniorsfinds a site, they would apply forrezoning to permit their project.Each rezoning would requireconsultation with neighbours priorto being considered by CityCouncil.

21 Seniors’ Housing

Workshop participants looked at housingoptions which would allow older resi-dents to stay in the community whenthey are no longer able or willing to lookafter a single family home. Optionsinclude additional traditional apartmentsand smaller scale seniors’ homes. Theseprojects would be purpose-built forseniors and some would provide fordifferent levels of care.

21.1 Seniors’ HousingApprovedSome small developments designed forseniors should be considered nearparks, shopping, and transit to allowseniors to stay in the community as theirhousing needs change.Percent agree 87%/86%

21.2 Types of Seniors’ HousingThe forms of seniors’ housing whichshould be considered include (Respond-ents could select none, any, or all of thefollowing options so responses do notadd up to 100%. Percentages below areonly for respondents agreeing to 21.1):a. small projects such as Abbeyfield

Houses - 58%/55%

b. low-rise apartments - 68%/69%

c. mid-rise apartments (6-11storeys)- 23%/26%

d. high-rise apartments (12 storeys ormore) - 10%/10%

People’s Ideas…• permit Abbeyfield Houses (6-8unit projects with individual bed/sitting rooms, a shared kitchen andeating area, and staff to providemeals)

• allow small apartment projects forseniors adjacent to parks

Abbeyfield House

22 Other Housing Types

Vision participants suggested twoadditional types of housing which couldbe considered in the community.

First, houseboats (purpose-built floatingdwellings) and live-aboards (people livingon boats) located along the Fraser River.The riverfront in VFK is now used forparks or industry and public discussionof this option would require furtherinformation on the servicing, environ-mental impact, and livability of these uses.

Second, a form of housing common inparts of China: ‘se hap yuen’ style housingwhich would have units designed for anextended family and grouped around acourtyard. A lack of local examples wouldrequire some research, design exploration,and feasibility studies prior to a communityreview of this option.

Low-rise apartment


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Index Page22.1 Other Housing TypesNot approved (Non-support)The City should initiate a review of thedesign, economics, impacts, and possi-ble locations of other housing typessuggested in the workshops.The results of the review would then bediscussed with the public prior to anychange in zoning regulations to permitthese housing types. The review shouldconsider (Respondents could select one,any or both of the options, so responsesdo not add up to 100%):a. houseboats and live-aboards

29%/27%

b. ‘se hap yuen’ housing 31%/28%

c. neither of the housing types above.54%/58%

23 Industrial AreaEast of Kerr

City Council policy is generally topreserve industrial land for industrialuses. On the lands south of Marine andeast of Kerr, Council has responded tothe economic importance of the existingwood products mill (and the lack of siteswithin the province suitable for itsrelocation) by being careful not to makedecisions which would reduce theviability of this use. For example, Coun-cil has refrained from using the land itowns to the north of the mill for hous-ing or other activities which are notcompatible with mill use. The VisionDirection addresses the eventual futureof the area.

23.1 Future Use of IndustrialLands East of KerrApprovedIn the longer-term, if the wood productsmill east of Kerr closes or relocates, theCity should initiate a major study offuture uses of this area which shouldinclude consideration of a range ofhousing options including rowhouses,townhouses, and apartments along withrequired park space, waterfront walk-ways, schools, and other public facilitiesand services required for the futurepopulation. The study should includesignificant public consultation.Percent agree 79%/81%


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Housing Demand

The Demand for New Housing in VFK by 2021New households from existing residents 4,000New households from in-migration 1,100Total new households looking for housing 5,100

The potential Supply of New Housing in VFKNew Housing units allowed by existing zoning 1,000

Shortfall in Housing UnitsDemand minus Supply 4,100

Possible Housing Supply

Infill example

Duplex example

Rowhouse example

Low-rise apartment example

Vision Direction Location Option

Added Housing Units from Option

16.2 Possible Locations for Infill a 45b 105c 30d 3,415e 935f 195g 0

17.2 Possible Locations for Duplexes a 50b 1,360c 170d 0

18.2 Possible Locations for Rowhouses a 135b 1,045c 290d 110e 0

19.2 Possible Locations for Low-rise Apartments a 670b 6,475c 1,970d 995e 0

20.1 High-rise Apartments yes 880no 0


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The Vision identifies the key community shopping areasin VFK as Victoria Drive, Kingsway/Joyce, andChamplain Mall. For these areas, the Vision sets out

ways to make these areas more convenient, safe, comfortable,and enjoyable places to shop. It also has Directions aboutcontrolling additional major malls and ‘big box’ stores; therole of business associations; the design of the new fourstorey mixed-use buildings along shopping streets; andencouraging convenience retail in the Fraserlands area.

ShoppingAreasShoppingAreas


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Victoria Drive shopping area

24 Victoria Drive Shopping Area

Victoria Drive has two main shoppingareas with the northern one extendingfrom 41st to 44th and the southern onestretching between 47th and 50th. Thereis a good variety of stores, but nosupermarket. The Vision addressesvarious problems and opportunitiesincluding litter; difficult pedestriancrossings and connections; a lack ofbasic amenities such as street trees; anda lack of attractive sidewalk treatmentsand design features.

24.1 Important Shopping AreasApprovedThe two main shopping areas on Victo-ria Drive — 41st to 44th and 47th to50th — should be strengthened as majorneighbourhood shopping areas andspecial community places.Percent agree 77%/78%

24.2 Expanding the Shopping AreaApprovedThe shopping areas should expand intothe blocks between 44th and 47th,through extending the commercial/mixed use zoning, eventually linking thetwo existing shopping areas.Percent agree 59%/62%

24.3 Pedestrian Linkage betweenthe Two Shopping AreasApprovedEven if the shopping areas are notexpanded, an attractive pedestrian linkshould be created along Victoria be-tween the two shopping areas usingplanting, paving, banners, etc. in orderto encourage pedestrians to use bothshopping areas.Percent agree 67%/67%

24.4 Shops and ServicesContinuousApprovedIn the shopping areas, shops andservices should be continuous along theground floor of buildings. Ground floorfrontage should not be interrupted bydriveways, drive-throughs, parking lots,or building fronts and uses that are not‘pedestrian friendly’.Percent agree 70%/66%

24.5 A Range of Shops andServicesApprovedThere should continue to be a widerange of local serving shops and servicesin the shopping areas. Additional auto-oriented services (e.g. gas stations, autorepair) should be discouraged.Percent agree 75%/73%

People’s Ideas…• encourage more offices andservices, including cafes, theatres,health centres, fitness centres,services for seniors and immigrants,a night market

• encourage merchants to keep upwith changing customer needs anddesires

• explore ways the City and landlordscould make new retail space moreaffordable to local shops and servicesand/or retain older, low rent space

• encourage residents to supportlocal shops and services by using them

24.6 Adding a SupermarketApprovedSupermarkets are important ‘anchors’for neighbourhood shopping areas. Inthe past, there were two supermarkets,one at 41st and one near 49th — bothhave moved out. The City, in consultationwith the neighbourhood, should workwith supermarket owners to identify,assemble, and rezone an adequate sitefor a conventional size supermarket, in amixed use development, with adequateparking provided.Percent agree 73%/74%

Residential over new supermarket


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Index PagePeople’s Ideas…• use the old supermarket site(Value Village)

• consider assembling land acrossthe lane behind the commercialfrontage to create a big enough site

24.7 Pedestrian SafetyApprovedIt should be easier and safer for pedestriansto cross the arterials. The intersection ofVictoria with 41st and 42nd, the misaligned43rd/44th crossing of Victoria, and theVictoria/49th intersection all have problemswith illegal turns, jaywalking, and otherunsafe crossing procedures which shouldbe improved.Percent agree 89%/89%

People’s Ideas…• develop proper intersection plansfor problem areas, realignments

• provide median strips, pedestriansignals, corner bulges to shorten thecrossing• shorten pedestrian waiting times

24.8 Pedestrian Linkage throughLong BlockApprovedThere are no avenues between 41st and43rd on the west side of Victoria, creat-ing a very long block. Pedestrian linksshould be created through the block fromthe lanes and parking located in the rear.Percent agree 64%/68%

24.9 Control Sidewalk MerchandiseApprovedMerchandise displays on the sidewalk area good thing, but the amount of sidewalkthey take up should be limited. Theyshould leave enough room for pedestrians(including wheelchairs and strollers) topass each other, and should leave moresidewalk space at bus stops and crosswalkswhere more people gather. The limitshould be enforced.Percent agree 80%/80%

People’s Ideas…• mark boundary of sidewalk displayswith a line — easy for merchants andpedestrians to see if legal

24.10 Street Trees and SidewalkImprovementsApprovedStreet trees should be planted onVictoria Drive and the sidewalks shouldbe improved.Percent agree 77%/75%

24.11 Weather ProtectionApprovedThere should be continuous weatherprotection for shoppers in the form ofcanopies or awnings.Percent agree 65%/68%

People’s Ideas…• develop a theme for the awningson Victoria• ensure awnings leave adequateheadroom for pedestrians

• restrict the amount of sidewalkthat awnings can cover

Possible improvements: more planting, more pedestrian comfort and safety


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Local shops and services

24.12 A More Attractive PlaceApprovedThe appearance of the shopping areashould be improved through beautificationby private owners, the proposed BIA,and the City.Percent agree 80%/83%

People’s Ideas…• add outdoor patios and places torelax; benches; attractive plantings inbulges, mini-parks, and/or along thecurb; banners, flags, murals, publicart, sculpture; a distinctive entry signor landmark; special lighting; bikeracks (perhaps attached to lampposts); public notice boards, directoryto the area, bilingual signage; specialpaving; drinking fountains

24.13 A Cleaner PlaceApprovedSidewalks, gutters, lanes, parking lots,storefronts, garbage areas, and loadingbays should be kept cleaner and main-tained better by both private businessesand the City.Percent agree 95%/95%

People’s Ideas…• add more sidewalk trash cans,emptied more often

• encourage or require merchantsto clean their store fronts andsidewalks regularly• provide more education/informationon what to do with trash

24.14 Convenient ParkingApprovedConvenient short-term parking, includ-ing curbside parking, should be availablefor customers to help keep the retailviable and reduce impacts on neighbours.Percent agree 89%/89%

People’s Ideas…• enforce parking time limits better• maintain curbside parking on Victoria

• review the parking situation, includ-ing: turnover in curbside parking andparking available in private develop-ments

• if necessary, build shared publicparking (e.g. within a development orunder Tecumseh School ground)

24.15 Development of the ValueVillage SiteApprovedRedevelopment of the Value Village site,if it occurs, should be used as a majoropportunity to contribute to the VisionDirections for the area.Percent agree 74%/75%

25 Kingsway/JoyceShopping Area(‘Collingwood’)

The Vision participants saw the Collingwoodpart of Kingsway, and especially the ‘heart’of the area between Joyce and Tyne, asan important neighbourhood shoppingarea. Assets include a large Safeway anda London Drugs as anchors, as well as thetrees, banners, and other improvementssponsored recently by the businessassociation. Problems include Kingsway’swidth, traffic speed, and traffic volumes,which make crossing and uniting the twosides of the street difficult.

25.1 Important Shopping AreaApprovedThe shopping area along Kingswaybetween Rupert and Boundary should bestrengthened as a major neighbourhoodshopping area and special communityplace.Percent agree 77%/77%

25.2 Shops and ServicesContinuousApprovedIn the shopping area, shops and servicesshould be continuous along the groundfloor of buildings. Ground floor frontageshould not be interrupted by driveways,drive-throughs, parking lots, or buildingfronts that are not ‘pedestrian friendly’.Percent agree 73%/73%

Kingsway shopping area(“Collingwood”)


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Index Page25.3 A Range of Shops andServicesApprovedThere should continue to be a widerange of local-serving shops and servicesin the shopping area. Additional auto-oriented services (e.g. gas stations, repairshops, etc.) should be discouraged.Percent agree 73%/72%

People’s Ideas…• consider a farmers’ market


• explore ways the City and landlordscould make new retail space moreaffordable to local shops and servicesand/or retain older, low rent space

• encourage residents to supportlocal shops and services by usingthem

25.4 Safeway SiteApprovedThe Safeway supermarket at Kingswayand Tyne is an important anchor for theshopping area and is relatively newlybuilt. The site should be improved tomake it more of a neighbourhood focus.New ‘infill’ commercial uses could beadded fronting Kingsway if they contrib-ute to the Vision Directions for theshopping area.Percent agree 67%/67%

People’s Ideas…• add trees and landscaping, cano-pies for weather protection alongKingsway, better store orientationand displays facing Kingsway

• keep and improve existing bermon Kingsway side of Safeway site —turn into a usable gathering place(chess boards, etc.)• enhance Safeway wall with mural

25.5 Keeping SupermarketOpportunities OpenApprovedIn the past, supermarket owners haveoften closed stores and put restrictivecovenants on the sites to prevent com-peting supermarkets or grocery storesfrom occupying sites. While this benefitsthe supermarket chain by reducingcompetition, it acts against having aviable shopping area. The City shouldact to prevent such covenants from beingplaced on sites.Percent agree 74%/70%

25.6 Pedestrian SafetyApprovedIt should be easier and safer for pedes-trians to cross Kingsway.Percent agree 83%/86%

People’s Ideas…• shorten pedestrian waiting times;add pedestrian signals

• build corner bulges to shorten thecrossing, make pedestrians morevisible, and let drivers know they’rein a shopping area

• consider median refuge areas

25.7 Control Sidewalk MerchandiseApprovedMerchandise displays on the sidewalkare a good thing, but the amount ofsidewalk they take up should be limited.They should leave enough room forpedestrians (including wheelchairs andstrollers) to pass each other, and shouldleave more sidewalk space at bus stopsand crosswalks where more peoplegather. The limit should be enforced.Percent agree 80%/78%

25.8 Protect and Enhance StreetTreesApprovedThe existing street trees contribute to thepleasant character of the street, as well asbringing visual consistency. These treesshould be kept and maintained. Theirimpact should be enhanced by addingtrees where they are missing as well as innew corner bulges and on side streets.Percent agree 80%/82%

Safeway site at Kingsway andTyne


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Index Page25.12 Convenient ParkingApprovedConvenient short-term parking, includingcurbside parking, should be available forcustomers to help keep the retail viableand reduce impact on neighbours.Percent agree 85%/89%

People’s Ideas…• enforce parking time limits betteror add meters

• reintroduce curbside parking onKingsway during rush hours• review the parking situation,including: turnover in curbsideparking, available parking in privatedevelopments

• if necessary, build shared parking(e.g. within a mixed use developmentor under Carleton School ground)

25.13 Future Development of theSafeway or London Drugs SitesApprovedAny significant future redevelopmentproposed for the Safeway or LondonDrug sites on Kingsway, or other largesites, should contribute to the VisionDirections for that area. The City shouldconsult the community prior to processingany development permit or rezoningapplication on these sites.Percent agree 83%/83%

26 Champlain Mall

Champlain Mall was built in the early‘70s as a conventional medium-sizedinternal shopping mall with a supermar-ket and department store as anchors.Recently the retail was downsized andconcentrated on the western third of thesite with the eastern portion redevelopedfor residential use. The commercial sitenow houses a supermarket, drug store,food court, an expanded VancouverPublic Library branch, medical/dentaloffices and other shops and services.While there is unlikely to be a significantincrease in the demand for retail spaceon the mall site in the near future, theVision sets key Directions for the longerterm, and for any improvements that mightoccur in the short term.

25.9 Weather ProtectionApprovedThere should be continuous weatherprotection for shoppers in the form ofcanopies or awnings.Percent agree 63%/67%

People’s Ideas…• ensure canopies are high enoughto provide headroom for pedestrians

• develop a unified canopy themewhich can be varied by merchants

25.10 A More Attractive, Usable SpaceApprovedIn the recent past local merchants andowners, through the CollingwoodBusiness Association (now a BusinessImprovement Area), have significantlyimproved the area’s appearance withbanners, colourful lightpoles, a landmarkclock, and decorative pedestrian lighting.The appearance of the shopping area,especially the heart of it between Joyceand Tyne, should continue to be improvedthrough efforts of private owners, theBIA, and the City.Percent agree 79%/77%

People’s Ideas…• create outdoor patios and placesto relax

• add benches; attractive plantingsin bulges, mini-parks, medians, and/or along the curb; murals, publicart, sculpture; bike racks; publicnotice boards, directory to the area;drinking fountains

25.11 A Cleaner PlaceApprovedSidewalks, gutters, lanes, parking lots,store fronts, garbage areas, and loadingbays should be kept cleaner and main-tained better by both private businessesand the City.Percent agree 93%/92%

People’s Ideas…• provide more sidewalk trash cans,emptied more often

• encourage or require merchantsto clean their store fronts andsidewalks regularly

• provide more education/informationon what to do with trash


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26.1 Main Shopping PlaceApprovedChamplain Mall and the adjacent gasstation site should continue to be themain location for local retail and servicesin the Champlain area. Extension ofcommercial across 54th or Kerr shouldnot be considered.Percent agree 79%/78%

26.2 Supermarket to StayApprovedThe supermarket is an important anchorfor Champlain Mall. The City andcommunity should do whatever ispossible to ensure it remains viable; andinclusion of a supermarket should be acondition of any future redevelopment.Percent agree 91%/92%

26.3 A Range of Shops andServicesApprovedA range of local-serving shops and servicesshould continue to be located in the mall.Percent agree 93%/93%

People’s Ideas…• encourage green grocer, craftstore, flower shop, farmers’ market,cafes


• explore ways the City and malloperator could make new retailspace more affordable to local shopsand services

• consider lower taxes on locally-oriented retail

• encourage residents to supportlocal shops and services by usingthem

26.4 Library to StayApprovedThe public library should remain in themall, and improvements to the design ofthe new library courtyard should beconsidered.• add covered seating, benches, chessboard tablesPercent agree 92%/91%

26.5 Safer Pedestrian AccessApprovedIt should be easier and safer for pedes-trians to cross Kerr to the Mall at 55th and56th. There should be adequate sidewalkwidth and lighting on the walkwaysthrough the parking lot.Percent agree 87%/88%

People’s Ideas…• add pedestrian signals, curbbulges on Kerr to shorten thecrossing distance

26.6 Weather ProtectionApprovedThe new mall buildings include someoverhangs and canopies. In any futuredevelopment, consideration should begiven to more weather protection bothon the buildings and along the mainwalkways in the parking lots.Percent agree 76%/77%

26.7 Monitor TrafficApprovedTraffic circulation should be monitoredand conflicts with pedestrian movementsaddressed.Percent agree 82%/82%

26.8 CleanlinessApprovedThe mall and surroundings should bekept clean through provision of enoughtrash cans, regular emptying, and litterpickup.Percent agree 95%/95%

26.9 Future Changes to the MallApprovedIf any more additions or changes to themall are proposed, the developmentshould contribute to the Vision Directionsfor the area, including those in this section.

Champlain Mall


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Index PageThe City should consult the communityprior to processing any significantdevelopment permit or rezoning appli-cation.In addition:• the architecture and signage should be

attractive, and in character with theneighbourhood

• if surface parking remains, thereshould be trees and hedging along thesite edges

• if parking is underground, additionalgreen space at grade should be added

• there should be gathering places forpeople to sit and relax and chat (e.g.indoor seating, covered outdoorseating, etc.)

• there should be continuous awningsor canopies on key walkways in theparking lot and around the buildings.


26.10 Gas Station Site RedevelopmentApprovedIf redevelopment of the gas station atKerr and 54th is proposed, the commu-nity should be involved in the planningand review of uses, form, design, land-scaping, pedestrian linkages, trafficimpacts, and parking.Percent agree 77%/74%

People’s Ideas…• emphasize local-serving retail; parkspace; plaza at the corner; goodpedestrian linkages to the mall; shopslining covered walkway or galleria

27 FraserlandsRetail

The Fraserlands plan includes sites forconvenience retail along the west side ofKerr from Marine to the waterfront. Thisland is currently designated for onestorey of retail plus one storey of resi-dential. These sites have been put onthe market by the City (the landowner)several times, but there has been nointerest from retail developers. Possiblereasons include the out-of-the-waylocation which can serve only the smallnumber of Fraserlands residents; andthe overall low density of the permitteddevelopment.

27.1 Incentive for Retail DevelopmentApprovedIn the short term, the City should reviewthe development potential of the sitesbordering the west side of Kerr to see ifadditional housing density wouldencourage a developer to build someconvenience retail (and lease it at a lowrate if necessary) on these sites. TheFraserlands community should beinvolved in the review and in any resultingzoning change.Percent agree 66%/66%

People’s Ideas…• consider allowing buildings up to4 storeys; terrace buildings downthe slope

• allow commercial to extend aroundthe corner onto Kent side

• encourage outdoor space for a cafénear the foot of Kerr; ensure designscompatible with neighbours

27.2 Short-term Improvements onthe East Side of KerrApprovedSince redevelopment of the industriallands east of Kerr Street will not occurin the short term, the City should workwith Weyerhaeuser to improve theappearance of their lands along the eastside of Kerr Street.Percent agree 73%/74%

27.3 Longer-term RetailApprovedIn the longer term, if the industrial landseast of Kerr redevelop for housing,appropriate retail should be provided. Aretail study should be included early inany area planning. The retail should bedesigned to serve the whole Fraserlandsarea, but not the broader community. Ifretail is built on the west side of Kerr asplanned (see 27.1), then at least some ofthe new retail should be located on theeast side of Kerr to create a double-sidedretail street.Percent agree 64%/64%

Zoning

The Zoning and DevelopmentBylaw is the main way that the Citycontrols new development. TheCity is divided into a number ofdifferent zoning districts, labelledby letters and numbers (e.g. RS-1,C-2). Each type of district, or‘zone’, has regulations that controlwhat kind of activities (‘uses’) maytake place (e.g. various kinds ofoffice, retail, dwelling, manufactur-ing). Zones also have regulationsthat control the maximum height ofbuildings, the position of buildingson the lot (‘yards and setbacks’),the amount of total development(‘floorspace’ or ‘density’), theamount of parking required, andother quantitative aspects. Beyondthese regulations, some zonesalso have design review, based onwritten design guidelines. (SeeSection 13 for more information ondesign review in single familyareas)


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28 Big Box Storesand ShoppingMalls

Shopping malls are clusters of stores inone development where the stores faceinside instead of onto a public street.Malls come in various sizes from quitesmall and may be on one or several levels.Under current zoning, internal malls cantheoretically locate anywhere in the C-2zoning that lines the city’s arterial streets.

There are also different types and sizesof ‘big box’ store. Some are very large,and sell a wide range of goods. Othersspecialize in particular types of goods,and are smaller. The large ‘big box’ storeshave sought large, cheap, industrially-zoned sites. The City has permitted somebig box stores (usually through rezonings),but has recently adopted policies thatrestrict these rezonings to GrandviewHighway and the Marine Drive frontagebetween Yukon and Chester. If the storesare to sell food or clothing, a retail impactstudy is required. Some smaller specialty‘big box’ stores have recently fit intoexisting C-zoned areas along major streets.

Participants in the Vision process, whileacknowledging that existing malls and‘big box’ stores provide shoppingchoices for consumers, were concernedthat additional projects would workagainst keeping strong neighbourhoodshopping on Victoria Drive, Kingsway/Joyce, and in Champlain Mall.

28.1 Additional Major Malls or BigBox StoresApprovedAdditional major shopping malls, and‘big box’ stores which sell groceries,clothing, and other daily needs, shouldnot be permitted to locate where theywill harm the economic health of theVictoria or Kingsway shopping areas orChamplain Mall.Percent agree 66%/60%

28.2 Specialty Big Box StoresApprovedSome smaller specialty ‘big box’ outlets(e.g. electronics, toys, pets) might act aspositive anchors or attractions if they arelocated in VFK’s existing shopping areas.They should be considered if they aredesigned to fit properly.Percent agree 59%/62%

People’s Ideas…• locate the big outlet mainly on theupper level, with small retail outletson the street level (e.g. Future Shopon West Broadway); provide parkingunderground not in lot in front ofstore

• consider a theater complex withunderground parking if the Victoriaretail is extended south toward 49th

29 BusinessAssociationsor BusinessImprovementAreas

Business associations are formed bybusiness and property owners in shoppingareas. They can also apply to the City tobecome a Business Improvement Area(BIA). Through a BIA, each commercialproperty owner pays into a fund that isadministered by the BIA and used

Big box retail: Real CanadianSuperstore


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to benefit the shopping area throughpromotion, crime prevention, beautifica-tion, etc. In VFK there is the CollingwoodBIA, and the Victoria Drive BusinessAssociation is considering BIA status.

29.1 Business Associations or BIAsApprovedBusiness Associations and BIAs shouldbe encouraged, with organizationalassistance from the City. They should beinvolved, together with residents, inpromoting shopping in their areas andorganizing services and activities to attractshoppers.Percent agree 70%/68%

People’s Ideas…• help encourage new retailers; helpmerchants understand consumerneeds; cooperate in clean-up,maintenance, anti-graffiti, and security;organize special events and festivals;undertake beautification

Better mixed use design: upper-storey setbacks,breaking up scale, small shops, awnings

Recent mixed use projects onarterial streets

C-2 Zoning Review Underway

In response to similar concernsfrom various communities CityCouncil has already approved areview of the C-2 zoning todetermine what, if any, changesshould be made. The review, nowunderway, includes publicconsultation and is expected toresult in zoning revisions in 2002.

30 Mixed UseDevelopment

In the C-2 zoning Victoria, Kingsway andother arterials city-wide, a number offour storey projects have been built withground floor commercial and three storeysof residential above. This is called mixeduse development. Current C-2 zoningregulations and guidelines govern uses,limit density and height, require certainsetbacks, and require parking to be atthe rear or underground. The guidelinesalso deal with some aspects of livability– privacy, daylight and so forth – but donot address character and appearance.Vision participants supported the housingthat these mixed use projects provide,but had some concerns over their design.

30.1 Design ImprovementsApprovedThe design of mixed use developmentshould be improved.Percent agree 76%/74%

People’s Ideas…• make less bulky and boxy lookingfrom the street

• reduce impact on single family (orother) neighbours

• add more planting in setbacks, onbuilding terraces, in common spaces

• encourage more attractive designbut still allow a variety of architec-tural styles• require higher quality materialswith greater sense of permanence


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GreeningParks,Streets, andPublicPlaces

GreeningParks,Streets, andPublicPlaces

V ision participants noted that parks, trees, the greenarea bordering streets, and the gardens and landscapingaround homes all contribute to an overall natural character

for VFK. Vision Directions deal with parks, school grounds,streets, and public views. (Vision Direction 13.1 coverslandscaping on private sites).


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31 Greening Parks,Streets, andPublic Places

ParksThis Vision recognizes that parks are veryimportant for recreation, beauty, andrefreshment. VFK is fortunate in having awide variety of park spaces, including amajor park, naturalized areas, woodlands,river shore, and more conventional playgrounds and play fields. Taken as a whole,VFK has 95 hectares (235 acres) of park(not including Fraserview Golf Course)and exceeds the City standard forneighbourhood parks. However, theKillarney area is better endowed than theVictoria-Fraserview area. School groundstotalling 24.3 hectares are also importantpublic spaces.

StreetsStreets and lanes typically make up about30% of a community’s land area, andmake an important contribution to theimage of an area. The City provides andmaintains street trees, and has a programto plant them in all suitable locations.The City has also instituted a ‘GreenStreets’ program which encouragesresidents to landscape traffic circles andcorner bulges that are installed for trafficcalming.

Public ViewsIn 1989, the City began to protectselected public views which developmentthreatened to block. The protected viewsare mainly from within the downtownlooking outward, or from the CentralBroadway and False Creek area lookingover the downtown. Public views are notprotected elsewhere in the city.

31.1 More Usable Parks and SchoolGroundsApprovedPark design, appearance, and activitiesshould be more varied in order to servea more diverse population. Parks shouldbe better maintained. School groundsshould also be transformed into attractive,usable community spaces.Percent agree 88%/89%

People’s Ideas• include more natural landscapingand habitat areas in more parks;provide interpretive and directionalsignage; education about EverettCrowley Park

• provide night lighting for a soccerfield in Champlain area

• include heritage artifacts in parks;allow more community gardens

• incorporate water play at Fraserview,Killarney, Bobolink Parks; providemore benches; garbage bins; drinkingfountains; more public art, restrooms,and special bins for dog waste• daylight or create other referencesto local streams; consider railwaytracks in Fraserlands as an opportunityfor a future greenway

• allow the community to nameschool grounds

31.2 Parks on the Fraser RiverApprovedThere should be mini-parks on the streetends at the Fraser River with access tothe water, even in areas where industrialuses will remain. If any land along theriver is taken out of river-related indus-trial use, redevelopment should includea continuous waterfront walkway, withparks located along it.Percent agree 88%/87%

Green Streets Program: landscaped corner bulge

Enhanced picnic and playareas


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Index Page31.3 Safety in and Around ParksApprovedPark design and maintenance shouldtake account of safety. Accessing parksacross arterials should be easier andsafer.Percent agree 93%/94%

People’s Ideas…• add night lighting; limit bush areas;separate incompatible activities suchas off-leash dogs and fishing; addresilient surfaces in play areas;provide pedestrian signals to crossarterials; provide fire hydrants

31.4 Community Involvement in ParksApprovedPublic involvement in the design andstewardship of parks should be encour-aged.Percent agree 83%/82%

People’s Ideas…• encourage clean-up days; involvestudents in naming trails and creatingpublic art in parks; provide park andwildlife education

31.5 Greening Public StreetsApprovedStreets should continue to be pleasantgreen links that connect the neighbour-hood, including:• protect existing boulevards and street

trees, and plant new trees whereverpossible

• encourage residents to extend privategardening into the space between thesidewalk and the curb

• encourage residents to landscapetraffic circles and curb bulges throughthe ‘Green Streets’ program.


People’s Ideas…• ensure sidewalks have adequatelighting as trees mature

31.6 Public ViewsApprovedViews to the North Shore mountains; theCascades and Mount Baker; and theFraser River from public places, likeparks and streets, should be protected.Percent agree 88%/90%

People’s Ideas…• identify, map, and protect the keypublic views

• make viewpoints in EverettCrowley Park and along the Frasermore accessible

• make viewpoints on public landenjoyable places to be

Parks: community gardens

Play area: Bobolink Park

Scenic view: Killarney Park

Street trees: protect and plant new trees whereverpossible

Fraser River: create morestreet-end parks


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Environment V ision participants identified many environmental issues,including a concern that many residents and businessesare unaware of City programs which promote a healthier

environment. This Vision contains a number of Directions toimprove the environment. Some are in this section; othersare in GREENING PARKS, STREETS, AND PUBLIC PLACES(garbage and trees), and in TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION(encouraging non-auto modes of travel). Many Directionsinclude changes to individual behaviour which combine toimprove the environment. Others are additions to currentCity programs, which have expanded as environmental issueshave assumed more importance to the public.

Recycling, Composting, and GarbageThe City collects garbage from residential properties with lessthan four units. The weekly garbage can limit for single familyproperties was lowered from three to two cans to encourageresidents to reduce waste and use recycling and compostingprograms. The City collects paper, plastic, and metal forrecycling from houses and apartments if the residents sepa-rate and set out the materials. Large items can be recycled atthe Vancouver South Transfer Station on West Kent AvenueNorth. The City also provides regular yard waste collectionfrom single family properties and subsidizes backyardcomposters and indoor worm compost bins. These programshave reduced the amount of residential garbage sent to thelandfill by about 35%.

Water ConservationVancouver has higher per capita water consumption thanmost North American cities with similar climates. The Citysupports public and school education programs on waterconservation, restricts summer lawn watering, sells barrels tostore rain water for yard irrigation, and requires water savingfixtures and devices in new buildings. These initiatives havereduced water consumption by 20% since the summer watershortages in 1990 and 1992.

Air QualityThe (1990) City of Vancouver Task Force on AtmosphericChange was created by City Council to study climate changeas it relates to global warming and ozone depletion. It recom-mended some specific actions that the City could undertaketo reduce its contribution to factors causing climate change.Among the actions taken was the development of the City’sTransportation Plan, which sets out a long-term strategy tofind transportation alternatives to the single-passenger auto-mobile. City initiatives like Greenways and Bikeways whichencourage walking and cycling combine with better publictransit (through TransLink) to support the plan.


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32 Environment

32.1 Recycling and CompostingApprovedMeasures should be taken to increaserecycling and composting. They shouldinclude:• the City and community further

encouraging residents and businessesto recycle

• the City encouraging other levels ofgovernment to promote recycling andcomposting.


People’s Ideas…• make people or businesses whodo not recycle pay more for garbagecollection

• provide a list of depots whichaccept recycling materials which Citycollection will not take (e.g. house-hold batteries)• increase disposal fees for buildingmaterials to encourage recycling ofdemolition materials

• encourage residents to purchasestickers from the City for extra cansof garbage if regular garbage serviceis inadequate

• provide community workshopsand information pamphlets pub-lished in multiple languages (e.g.English and Chinese)

• discourage use of non-recyclablematerials (like some plastics) inmanufacturing or retailing

32.2 Water Conservation andWaste WaterApprovedReduced consumption of water andproper disposal of waste water shouldbe encouraged through:• more public education and promotion

of individual actions which improvewater conservation

• developing City regulations, programs,and practices which encourage waterconservation

• the City encouraging other levels ofgovernment to promote water conser-vation.


People’s Ideas…• install water meters and chargepeople for actual water use ratherthan a flat rate

• set out proper water-savingpractices in public signage, publicservice announcements, school andcommunity centre programs, and anInternet website (all in multiplelanguages)• encourage use of low-flow toiletsand shower-heads, and rain barrelsto reduce water consumption

• control the area of impermeablesurfaces to reduce water run-off;encourage creative reuse of water(retention ponds in golf courses,etc.); and daylight streams (alsorestoring fish habitat)

• monitor water quality and imposesevere penalties for polluting withhazardous materials (e.g. pesticides)

• educate people to use less waterwhen watering their gardens andlawns or cleaning their cars

Recycling and yard waste collection

Problem dumping in lane


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Index Page32.3 Air QualityApprovedMeasures should be taken at the com-munity and city level to improve airquality in VFK, addressing issues of airpollution, including:• encouraging non-auto transportation

alternatives like walking, cycling, andpublic transit

• developing City regulations, programs,and practices which promote better airquality

• the City encouraging other levels ofgovernment to promote better airquality.


People’s Ideas…• encourage people to reduce thenumber of trips they take by car, anduse alternative ways to get to wherethey’re going, like walking, biking,carpooling, or taking the bus (in-cluding ‘clean-air’ buses)

• continue to test older vehicles forexcessive pollution and requireadequate vehicle maintenance

• encourage businesses to employtransportation demand measureslike flexible work hours andtelecommuting

• plant more trees, bushes, flowersin traffic circles, medians, and alongstreets to improve the local climate;preserve existing park and othergreen spaces• pay closer attention to noisegenerators like noisy car mufflers,airplanes, leaf blowers, and gas-powered lawn mowers


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The City currently provides information to, and consults with,residents and groups on many different types of decisions, inmany different ways.

Examples of current processes include:• local improvement petitions for new curbs and sidewalks

• a referendum on the three year Capital Plans

• public processes for planning programs and rezonings

• special surveys such as the Framework for Action survey in early2001

• public task forces like the Bus Impact Task Force

• advisory committees to City Council like the Bicycle AdvisoryCommittee and the Seniors Committee

• notification letters on development proposals

• the City’s home page on the Internet

Public input is important to the City. Its Public Involvement Reviewis now developing:• new initiatives (such as a Newcomers Guide to City Services and

an expansion of the City’s website to give the public more infor-mation)

• improvements to various City processes (such as notificationsconcerning development/rezoning proposals, liquor licenseapplications, or traffic management initiatives)

• increased translation of City communications• improved structures for City Council’s advisory committees

While recognizing these practices, this Vision Direction suggestsimprovements: people could be made more aware of the opportunitiesto participate; the timing of input could be improved; and the inputcould have more influence on the decisions which are made.

33 Community Involvement in Decision Making

33.1 Community Involvement in Decision MakingApprovedCommunity residents should have greater, and more timely, inputinto decision making about changes in their community, involvingmatters like provision of facilities and services, development projects,street and traffic changes, transit changes, and park designPercent agree 92%/86%

People’s Ideas...• require more public input and co-ordination in City,Parks, and community centre policy decisions

• have the City and Parks inform people about ways toadvocate for change

• integrate more school, park, and community centrefunctions – learn from each other

• hold resident meetings to work on specific community projects

CommunityInvolvementin DecisionMaking

CommunityInvolvementin DecisionMaking


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Rezoning PolicyFollowing the Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney (VFK)Community Vision

1. About Zoning in General1.1 How Zoning WorksThe Zoning and Development Bylaw is the main way the City controls development— new buildings, additions to existing buildings, or changes in the use of buildingsand land.

There are different zoning districts, labelled by letters and numbers. For example,RS-1 covers most of VFK’s single family areas, and C-2 covers the shopping areas.Every lot in a district is governed by the same regulations and guidelines. The regula-tions are contained in a District Schedule. They control the kinds of activities (uses)that may take place, such as office, retail, dwelling, or manufacturing. District Sched-ules also control various quantitative aspects of the development, including: themaximum height of buildings, the position of buildings on the lot (yards and setbacks),the amount of total development (floor space or density), and the amount of parkingrequired.

In addition to the District Schedule with its regulations, some zones also have designreview, using Design Guidelines. Design review looks at the more qualitative factors suchas style or character, the materials used, or the landscaping. Legally, districts withdesign review are structured to have two types of projects: those that may go aheadwithout design review (often called “outright”); and those that are subject to design review(often called “conditional” or “discretionary”), because they receive additional density, orapproval of a conditional use, in return for meeting the design guidelines.

Another type of district is the CD-1 or Comprehensive Development district. Many ofthese are tailored to a specific site, such as Britannia Community Services Centre andthe Broadway campus of Vancouver Community College. Others cover a broad area,such as First Shaughnessy or the Downtown. This tool is used where a typical DistrictSchedule and Guidelines approach is not suitable.

1.2 How Zoning is ChangedAnyone may apply to alter the zoning — property owner, resident, or the Director ofPlanning. However, only City Council may actually adopt or change zoning or guide-lines. Staff do the analysis and processing of applications, and make a recommendationto Council. During processing there is always public notification and some consultation,and a formal Public Hearing is always required at the end of the process beforeCouncil decides.

Because rezoning is time-consuming and expensive, City staff usually advise poten-tial applicants before they make an application whether or not staff would “consider”the rezoning (that is, fully process it), rather than quickly reporting it to Council witha recommendation to refuse the application. Staff give this advice based on existingCity plans and policies, including Community Visions.

VFK Community Vision 55

2. Rezoning Under the Victoria-Fraserview/KillarneyCommunity Vision

Making some of VFK’s Vision directions happen will require rezoning, or amendmentsto zoning. For most, additional area planning would be required before any zoningchanges would be considered, and individual rezonings would not be consideredprior to this planning (section 2.2). However, there are some cases where individualrezonings could be considered without additional planning (section 2.1). Note that“considered” refers to being taken into the system for processing; it does not necessarilymean that the application will receive support from staff or approval from City Council.

2.1 Additional Planning Not Required Before RezoningRezoning applications for the types of projects listed below could be consideredwithout additional planning, because they further adopted city-wide policies, or arenormal practice in the public interest. Most are “site specific” rezonings on individualsites. There would be community consultation in each case. In considering theserezonings, staff would look at not only the needs of the project, but also how itrelates to its existing surroundings, and to the future of the area as described in theCommunity Vision.

Table 2.1: Additional Planning Not Required Before Rezoning

Type of Project That Could be Considered for Site Specific Rezoning Comments

Heritage retention projects- involving retention of buildings on the Vancouver Heritage Register

City-wide policy to encourage retention of heritage resources

Social or affordable housing projects- non-profit projects; housing agreement projects, special needs residential facilities (SNRF)

Note on definitions:Housing agreement: a contract between the City and developer to guarantee some of the housing units as rental or low income, etc. SNRFs: housing and support services for people with special needs including the elderly, children in care, mentally or physically handicapped, people with substance abuse problems, etc.

City-wide policy to encourage housing for lower income and special needs residents

Housing demonstration projects (HDP)- in order to be considered as an HDP, a project: "must demonstrate new housing form in the neighbourhood, improved affordability, and a degree of neighbourhood support; any increase in land value, beyond the normal profit allowed by the City's standard bonussing process, be converted into improved affordability." (January 3, 1996 Council report)- in addition, in VFK, any HDP proposals would need to conform to Vision directions about type, location, scale, etc.

City-wide policy to permit demonstration of new housing types

Institutional usesProjects focussing on expansion, downsizing, or reuse of publicly owned or non-profit institutional, cultural, recreational, utility, or public authority uses

Normal City practice

Housekeeping amendments; zoning text amendments- initiated by the Director of Planning to update, correct, or make minor revisions to District Schedules or Guidelines

Normal City practice

In VFK: Change to Existing CD-1 Zones-as per Vision Direction 15.2Seniors Housing-as per Vision Direction 21.1 nd 21.2Adding A Supermarket-to Victoria Drive Shopping Area as per Vision Direction 24.6

VFK Community Vision

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Index Page2.2 Additional Planning Required Before RezoningThe VFK Community Vision directions listed below require additional planning studybefore rezoning occurs. For some directions, the study would cover a portion ofVFK; others might be city-wide in scope. The types of things that would be studiedcould include the size, height, location and design of development; traffic andparking; parks and green space; service needs; development contributions to costs;phasing and so forth. Planning studies would be initiated by the City, but might beundertaken by City staff, consultants, community members, or a combination. In allcases, there would be community consultation throughout the study.

Timing priorities for these studies, as well as other aspects of implementing theVision, will be determined with community input, as well as through Council considera-tion of available resources and competing work priorities. Individual site rezoningswill not be considered in advance of the planning, other than as noted in Section2.1.

Table 2.2: Additional Planning Required Before Rezoning

Note: Zoning policy described inthis section comes from:Rezoning Policy - Before andDuring CityPlan NeighbourhoodVisioning, adopted by City CouncilJanuary 18, 1996 and Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney CommunityVision, adopted by City Council onDecember 11, 2001.

*As noted in Table 2.1, an individual Housing Demonstration Project may beconsidered under certain conditions.

2.3 OtherThe sections above provide guidance for most rezoning inquiries. However,there may be rare sites for which development under the existing zoningwould involve the loss of features which the community, in its Vision, viewsas assets. The prime example is trees and landscaping, but in some casesbuildings or structures may also be valued (but not qualify as heritage). Inthese cases, rezoning that would maintain the assets may be considered.Further, this will apply only to large sites that were in single ownership atthe time of the Vision adoption. Finally, achieving Vision directions wouldremain the focus of consideration of the rezoning.

Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney Vision Direction Possible types of additional planning study

13 Design of New Single Family Houses13.1 Design Review for New Single Family Houses

Mini-program to make design-review zoning available once more to interested areas.

14 Older Character Buildings and Heritage14.2 Retaining Avalon Dairy and 5872 Wales

Look at future possibilities in conjunction with School Board works yard.

14.3 Retaining Character Buildings Specific planning study on feasibility of this in VFK and other Vision areas.

17 Duplexes*17.1 Allow Additional Duplexes

More detailed planning for specific areas of VFK.

23 Industrial Area East of Kerr23.1 Future Use of Industrial Lands East of Kerr

If mill closes, major study of future uses with significant public consultation.

24 Victoria Drive Shopping Area24.2 Expansion of Shopping Area

Extend commercial/mixed-use zoning between 44th and 47th.

30 Mixed Use Development30.1 Design Improvements

City-wide C-2 zoning review (already underway).


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VFK Community Vision Highlights


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AcknowledgementsThe Victoria-Fraserview/Killarney Vision Team thanks the residents, workers, volun-teers, students, and business people in VFK who attended the many meetings,workshops, and other events in the Vision process. We appreciate the time andenergy you contributed to considering the future of your community.

The team would particularly like to thank the Community Liaison Group and CityPerspectives Panel for their dedication, creativity, and positive help throughout theprogram including advising staff, participating in workshops, and reviewing drafts.

The Community Liaison GroupBarbara BorchardtDaniel ChungPat DeibertRick EvansChris FriesenManuela FriesenFrank FungHammit GillHarmit GillJoyce HaleNati HerronSarah HoKarin HungBob JacksonKeith JacobsonAnne JudgeKostas KaounasLavern Kelly

City Perspectives PanelDavid CadmanDarren ChungMarguerite FordJudith GlickJames LeeShane SimpsonSuzanne Strutt

Phillip LawAngie LeeBrian LeungN. LumMay MohanAndrea RollsGwyn RowlandsSharon SaundersBarry SavageBarbara SchaubBarb ShambrookMarsha SimmonsSally TeichDonna TilleyVernon WhiteDave WitsoElsie Yazura


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Index PageFull and Part-time Support from Planning Department StaffVictoria-Fraserview/Killarney Vision TeamCatherine BuckhamJoanne FrankoAngela KoTed Sebastian

Community Visions SupportSusan AndersonPeter BurchTrish FrenchRonda HowardWesley JoeMichelle LarigakisAnn McAfeePaul NowlanMarlie Oden (Bridge Communications)Ray SchulteJag SengheraNancy Wormald

Support from Other Departments, Agencies, and ConsultantsMing Berka (S.U.C.C.E.S.S.)Ivana Cappelletto (Cappelletto Design Group)Cliff Caprani (Printing)Doug Doyle (Engineering)Tilo Driessen (Parks)Killarney Community Centre Board and Staff (Parks)Ken Low (Engineering)Andrew Mak (Engineering)Mike Nishi (Chinese Baptist Church Youth Group)Paul Raynor (Housing)

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