Ambleside Local Area Plan
We acknowledge that we are on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Musqueam Nation. We recognize and respect them as nations in this territory, as well as their historic connection to the lands and waters around us since time immemorial.
Creating a Local Area Plan (LAP) for Ambleside
Ambleside is a waterfront neighbourhood and commercial centre located on the north shore of the Burrard Inlet, situated between Dundarave and Park Royal. Ambleside’s continued success and long-term vitality are of importance to residents, businesses, visitors, and the entire West Vancouver community.
The Official Community Plan (OCP) includes policy to develop a LAP for Ambleside, which outlines the long-range vision for Ambleside as a whole, provides more detailed regulations and guidelines to shape the form and character of new development, and confirms the local policy response to planning topics like housing, commerce, mobility, sustainability, and public realm. The LAP, once adopted, would become a component of the OCP.
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Findings from phase one presented to Council on July 24, 2023
Thank you again for sharing your feedback and input on the Ambleside Local Area Plan (LAP). Staff reviewed all public input and presented the findings to Council on Monday, July 24, 2023 for direction on next steps.
View the Council Report and accompanying documents below (these items are also in the document library section of this project page).
Appendix A: Ambleside LAP Framework: July 24, 2023
Appendix B: Ambleside LAP Subject Lands Where New Rental Tenure Zoning Would Apply - July 24, 2023
Appendix C: Ambleside LAP Public Engagement Summary - July 24, 2023
Appendix D: Ambleside LAP - Memo -Summary for Ambleside Transportation Plan Phase 1
Ambleside LAP Public Engagement Transcript: July 24, 2023
Next steps: three-streamed approach
At the July 24, 2023, Council meeting, staff were directed to proceed with a “three-streamed” approach addressing the apartment, commercial areas, and neighbourhood.
1. Apartment areas:
Staff have prepared Zoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) bylaw amendments to guide incremental change for Ambleside’s apartment areas.
The proposed zoning and OCP amendments (outlined in Maps 3 to 8 of the LAP Framework from the July 24 report) include:
- a modest expansion of the apartment area boundaries;
- policies to guide future rezonings for diverse housing options within these revised boundaries; and
- changes to RM1 and RM2 zoning for existing purpose-built rental (shown in Appendix B), to limit maintain the tenure on these sites to rental-only.
On Monday, September 11, 2023, Council will consider the proposed apartment area Zoning and OCP bylaw amendments for first reading. If Council gives first reading, a public hearing will be scheduled at a later date, so that Council can continue to hear community input and perspectives.
The full proposed amending bylaws and accompanying report to Council can be accessed at the link below.
Council Report: August 30, 2023
2. Commercial areas:
Staff will prepare illustrations and renderings to visualize the regeneration of the “Hollyburn Corner” and “Ambleside-by-the-Sea” commercial areas (see Maps 9 to 14) and engage with the community and stakeholders.
More information on this process and opportunities will be available soon. We look forward to engaging this fall.
3. Neighbourhood areas:
Staff will wait for provincial direction regarding changes to the regulation of single-detached housing, assess any implications, and hold local conversations with residents in five single-detached neighbourhood areas (see Map 2).
Property owners within the five sub areas will be notified directly in 2024. We look forward to having these conversations with you then.
We look forward to continuing to work with community members and stakeholders on planning for the future of Ambleside.