On October 22nd, Council approved the scope of work for Villages in the Vancouver Plan, along with the associated Interim Rezoning Policy and amendments to the Development Contribution Expectations (DCE) Policy. 

Geographic Scope 

The Vancouver Plan land use strategy identifies 25 Villages. Some of these Villages are, or will be, implemented through other planning initiatives: 

• Three full and two partial Villages have been incorporated into the Rupert and Renfrew Station Area planning program; 
• Three Villages will be incorporated into a future area planning program for Main and Fraser Streets, including Punjabi Market (this project is currently being scoped by staff); 
• One Village (Yew Street / West 1st Avenue) will be incorporated into future planning for neighbourhood centres; and  
• One Village (Knight Street / East 57th Avenue) is identified in the Vancouver Plan as a Special Study Area and must be considered through a future planning program. 

The figure below includes the remaining 17 Villages (15 full and portions of two additional ones) in blue. Situations may arise where conditions on the ground or other specific considerations may require slowing down or pausing planning for some Villages. Therefore, a smaller number of Villages may be presented to Council for consideration in 2026, with the remaining Villages finalized in a second phase.  

Interim Rezoning Policy 

Staff recommended an Interim Rezoning Policy, limiting rezoning enquiries to those delivering social or supportive housing, seniors housing and those that are being considered under the existing Secured Rental Policy (SRP) and the Transit-Oriented Areas (TOA) Rezoning Policy. Existing institutional, cultural, recreational, utility, or public uses can also be considered for rezoning during the planning process. 

Development Contribution Expectations Policy 

The DCE identifies land use priorities and sets early expectations for development contributions, allowing landowners to factor in the potential costs of providing required amenities and infrastructure when development occurs in the future. It is not intended to convey any certainty about heights, densities, and uses that will be permitted when planning is completed. After the planning process is complete, if Council chooses to, the DCE Policy for Villages will be rescinded and replaced by other mechanisms to help fund new or improved infrastructure needed for growth. Many of the areas in Villages are intended to be rezoned through city-initiated zoning changes. For areas or special sites in Villages that will not be rezoned by the City, the CAC policy that is in place at the time of rezoning would apply. 

City staff intend for the Villages Planning Program to focus on enabling missing middle housing up to six storeys, with a focus on rental and below-market rental housing where economically feasible. In addition, the program will maintain or enable the expansion of zoning permitting mixed-use buildings that deliver additional commercial space in Villages. 

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