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2w ago

B.C. Government Issues Binding Housing Directives to West Vancouver and Oak Bay

The province mandates zoning and planning reforms after both municipalities fall short of first-year housing targets under the Housing Supply Act.

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The District of Oak Bay is shown. (CHEK News)
Both West Vancouver and Oak Bay's history of turning down developers has scared off potential developers, making it difficult for the two municipalities to build more housing.

Overview

  • West Vancouver and Oak Bay failed to meet their first-year housing targets, completing only 56 of 220 units and 16 of 58 units, respectively.
  • Both municipalities received formal directives with 30 days to respond, outlining specific reforms to accelerate housing development.
  • Oak Bay must delegate minor variance approvals to staff and reduce parking requirements for multi-unit housing to one stall per unit by January 31, 2026.
  • West Vancouver is required to update zoning for Ambleside and Dundarave by September 30, 2026, and develop a local area plan for the Park Royal–Taylor Way corridor by December 31, 2026.
  • The directives aim to address long-standing reputations for being development-resistant and modernize local planning to meet provincial housing goals.