As mentioned in previous updates, on February 10th Council gave third reading and final adoption to the proposed amendments to the Official Community Plan and City Centre Plan that update the Central Business District boundaries and related office/non-residential expectations in order to respond to current office market conditions. These changes were brought forward as part of the approved City Centre and Density Bonus Policy amendments approved by Council on December 2nd, which outlined a proposed approach for clarifying the City’s expectations with respect to office/non-residential development in the City Centre and related density bonus considerations. 

Additional information can be found in the full report by City staff. 

February 4, 2025

At their regular meeting on January 27th, Council gave first and second reading to the proposed amendments to the Official Community Plan and City Centre Plan that update the Central Business District boundaries and related office/non-residential expectations in order to respond to current office market conditions. These changes are being brought forward as part of the approved City Centre and Density Bonus Policy amendments approved by Council on December 2nd, which outlined a proposed approach for clarifying the City’s expectations with respect to office/non-residential development in the City Centre and related density bonus considerations. 

Staff have brought forward amendments to the City Centre Plan and OCP in order to:  

1. Establish the office and employment density expectations in the Central Business District (the “CBD”), in particular for its two sub-areas, CBD Area 1 and CBD Area 2;  

2. Establish the corresponding residential base densities for CBD Area 1 and CBD Area 2; and  

3. Amend the boundaries of CBD Area 1 and CBD Area 2. 

Additional information can be found in the full report by City staff. 

December 17, 2024

At their meeting on December 2nd, Council received a report for information and endorsed the proposed set of actions on changes to the City’s office development and density bonus policies in the City Centre. Additionally, Council directed staff to bring back amendments to the Surrey Official Community Plan Bylaw for Council consideration, and any other City bylaws, policies, and regulations as required to implement these changes. The report includes proposed changes to the City’s policies related to office development in the Central Business District, along with related density bonus policies that apply more generally to high-density development, in order to respond to changing market conditions and new Provincial legislation. 

City staff have proposed a set of actions that includes:  

1. Establishing minimum office and employment density expectations in the CBD 1 and CBD 2 designations in the City Centre Plan. 

2. Establishing maximum market residential base densities for developments in the CBD designations. 

3. Amending the boundaries of the CBD 1 and CBD 2 designations in the City Centre Plan. 

4. Establishing a policy with options for the allocation and collection timing of density bonus CAC payments for multi-phase development projects; and  

5. Retaining a market consultant to develop recommendations on whether to establish an equitable and viable CAC rate on density bonus market rental development. 

Additional information can be found in the  full report by City staff.