The District of North Vancouver is set to review a staff request to delay the implementation of small-scale multi-unit housing in a portion of the municipality, citing potential conflicts with major transit upgrades.
According to the report, Council will consider authorizing staff to apply to the Province for a time extension, which would push the rezoning deadline for 319 single-family properties from June 30, 2026, to December 31, 2030. The affected area spans Hope Road to the north, Pemberton Avenue to the east, Sowden Street to the south, and McGuire Avenue to the west.
Staff says the extension is necessary because TransLink is planning major upgrades to the Metrotown–North Shore Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor running through the area. Rezoning the properties immediately, as required under provincial legislation, could interfere with the transit project’s design and future road improvements.
Extension Requested Under Bill 25
In November 2025, the Province amended the Local Government Act, requiring municipalities to rezone most single-family properties within the Urban Containment Boundary for small-scale multi-unit housing by June 30, 2026. The law allows municipalities to seek extensions under certain conditions.
Staff warn that rezoning now could limit transit-oriented development, disrupt road network planning for the BRT, and complicate traffic management during construction. With the BRT project at 10% conceptual design and funding approved to reach 30%, staff says locking in lower-density zoning could constrain development along the future rapid transit corridor.
Proposed Land Use Changes
The report also outlines a vision for the area’s future. Staff proposes amendments to the District’s Official Community Plan (OCP) to redesignate the 319 properties for higher-density and mixed-use development in line with the anticipated transit investment.
The planned designations envision mixed-use commercial-residential development north of Marine Drive, medium-density apartments in the areas surrounding Marine Drive, and townhouses or low-rise apartments between West 15th Street and Sowden Street.
The plan is a scaled-back version of OCP Update Option A, which received broad community support in 2025. Council signaled support for the approach at a February 9 workshop.
If approved, staff will submit the extension application to the Province and begin work on OCP bylaw amendments. Without Council approval, neither step will move forward.
