North Vancouver city council will consider a rezoning application this week that would allow a marine research company to permanently keep a diving tank on its East Esplanade property.
Nuytco Research Ltd. is asking the city to rezone 214 East Esplanade from its current Comprehensive Development zone — which permits only surface parking and no permanent structures — to an Industrial-Commercial (M-4) designation. The change would allow the above-ground diving tank that the company has operated under a series of temporary permits to remain on site indefinitely.
Nuytco first installed the modular tank in 2018 under a three-year Temporary Use Permit. That permit was extended once, expiring in September 2024. Because provincial legislation does not allow further extensions, the company applied to rezone the property rather than lose the tank altogether.
The site sits on the north side of East Esplanade, across from Seaspan’s operations and adjacent to Nuytco’s main facility at 216–222 East Esplanade, which is already zoned M-4. City planners note that the rezoning would bring the property into line with surrounding industrial and commercial uses.
During the six years the tank operated under temporary approval, the city received no public complaints. Under the Local Government Act, council can proceed without holding a public hearing when a rezoning is consistent with the Official Community Plan, a provision staff say applies in this case.
A staff report to council describes the tank as a critical piece of infrastructure for Nuytco’s research and development work. Staff recommend approval, citing business retention, consistency with neighbouring zoning, and alignment with the city’s broader economic development goals.
