Surrey Council Approves Zoning Changes for Hospital Expansion

Surrey City Council approved zoning amendments on December 1 to facilitate the expansion of Surrey Memorial Hospital (SMH) and transportation enhancements for the new BC Cancer Centre in Cloverdale. This decision aims to prepare the city for future healthcare developments, although a timeline for the construction of a second tower at SMH has yet to be provided by the provincial government.

During the meeting, Ron Gill, Surrey’s general manager of planning and development, presented a corporate report highlighting the need for these amendments at the hospital located at 13750 – 96 Ave. The changes are designed to expedite the potential expansion process. Council members approved the related bylaws at second reading and scheduled a public hearing for January 12, 2024.

Gill emphasized that while specific plans for expanding SMH are not finalized, the proposed amendments would streamline the development application process when the time comes. Councillor Harry Bains voiced concerns regarding the delay in progress, recalling the provincial government’s announcement on June 8, 2023, regarding the second tower, which was intended to address the historical under-investment in Surrey’s healthcare facilities.

Bains questioned city staff about communications with the provincial government, seeking clarity on the timeline for the second tower’s construction. Gill responded that the discussions with Fraser Health have been at a high level, lacking specific details or timelines.

“The zoning amendments provide flexibility for future expansion without requiring a further rezoning application,” Gill noted. He added that these changes are aimed at expediting the delivery of hospital services once they are confirmed.

Amendments approved by the council include the allowance of multiple unit residential buildings without mandatory commercial uses, the removal of the current floor area ratio limit, an increase in lot coverage from 75 percent to 90 percent, and an increase in principal building height from 5 metres to 120 metres. Gill described these modifications as essential for accommodating various projects in the future.

Following Bains’ comments, Councillor Pardeep Kooner urged the need to communicate readiness to the province, emphasizing that the city is prepared to move forward and is simply awaiting provincial action. Mayor Brenda Locke characterized the amended zoning as “forward-thinking” and a demonstration of the urgency surrounding healthcare improvements in the community.

In a related corporate report, Scott Neuman, Surrey’s general manager of engineering, provided updates on the Cloverdale hospital, which began construction in September 2023 and is expected to be completed by 2030. Located at 5500 – 180 St, just south of Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Cloverdale campus, the hospital will feature 168 inpatient beds, five operating rooms, a 55-space emergency department, 54 chemotherapy treatment spaces, six radiation therapy units, and 50 examination rooms.

“Once operational, the hospital will serve both community and regional healthcare needs,” Neuman stated. He detailed that as part of the development approval process, Fraser Health has created a Transportation Impact Assessment, committing to transportation upgrades to facilitate safe access for all users.

Neuman elaborated on the city’s development of transportation improvements designed to support the hospital’s opening and ensure effective integration with Cloverdale’s transportation system. These initiatives include road enhancements, intersection upgrades, and active transportation improvements aimed at ensuring patient and visitor access.

Fraser Health will also implement upgrades to accommodate the projected travel demand generated by the new hospital, which includes a multi-use pathway that promotes a safe and continuous route for pedestrians, cyclists, and individuals with mobility devices. The development plan proposes 730 on-site parking stalls and an additional 190 on-street parking spaces, all within a five-minute walk of the hospital.

City officials will also collaborate with TransLink to enhance public transit access to the hospital precinct, with existing bus routes providing service from Cloverdale to Willowbrook and from Langley to Newton. Neuman mentioned that a direct connection between the hospital and the 184 Street Surrey–Langley SkyTrain Station is currently under investigation.

Locke expressed her enthusiasm about the integration of pathways and walkways around the hospital, emphasizing the importance of creating a pedestrian-friendly environment that will benefit the community. “I think it’s going to be appreciated,” she remarked.

As Surrey continues to navigate its healthcare development plans, the council’s recent decisions signal a proactive approach to improving medical services in the region, while the community awaits concrete timelines for future expansions.