West Vancouver Council Approves Public Hearing for Tower Heights

URGENT UPDATE: West Vancouver council has just announced a public hearing to discuss significant changes to the Beedie Uplands development plan, which could reshape the skyline above the Upper Levels Highway. The hearing is set for Monday, September 8, 2023, at 5 p.m., and the implications are enormous.

At a recent meeting on July 21, council members voted to advance an updated proposal allowing increased building heights for three of the four proposed towers. The original plan, approved in 2019, was designed to transform properties at 3861 and 3875 Upland Way and 3389 and 3181 Chippendale Rd into a vibrant community featuring up to 620 residential units, including single-family homes and apartment buildings. However, the current proposal seeks to remove the mandatory rental requirement, which originally called for up to 275 rental homes.

This shift comes as the local rental market struggles, prompting the developer, Beedie Living, to request an increase in height from 16 storeys to as much as 25 storeys for three towers. Council staff indicated that they prefer to see some development progress rather than none at all.

Councillor Nora Gambioli, who previously supported the rental requirement, expressed concerns about the change. She advocated for allocating a significant portion of the projected $13 million in amenity contributions from this alteration to the district’s affordable housing fund. “We need to create rental in another place that is closer to transit and services,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of affordable housing in West Vancouver.

The upcoming public hearing is expected to attract significant community interest, as residents weigh in on the proposed changes and their potential impact on local housing and infrastructure. With the council’s decision set to influence the future of the area, attendees will have the opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns.

As developments unfold regarding the Beedie Uplands project, residents and stakeholders are urged to stay informed. This situation is rapidly evolving, and the September 8 public hearing will be a critical moment for West Vancouver’s housing landscape.

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