Vancouver City Council approved the Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan, which will guide growth around the two SkyTrain stations for the next 30 years.

The plan focuses on new and diverse housing, job space, public spaces and cultural amenities, and includes a series of nature-based solutions to manage flood risk and restore Still Creek.

Land use changes align with four distinct neighbourhood types. Rapid transit areas near Rupert and Renfrew SkyTrain stations will see high-density towers up to 45 storeys. Incentives will support projects that include below-market rental housing or other public amenities. These changes will be implemented through privately led, site-by-site re-zonings. The areas will also include shops, services, hotels, and improved connections to the transit stations.

Villages will expand with new shops and services and a range of housing types including buildings up to six-storeys and multiplexes. Multiplex areas furthest from the stations will maintain current residential inclusive zoning with multiplexes up to six strata units, or eight rental units. The plan allows for development of corner stores in these areas through privately initiated re-zonings.

The city is aiming to preserve employment lands and encourage community-serving spaces such as artist studios and non-profit facilities. Portions of the Still Creek corridor will expand to reduce flood risk, improve local green space and habitat, and support growth. The plan will also limit underground parking to keep groundwater flowing and recharging this important waterway.

The plan will be carried out through a mix of site-by-site re-zonings, city-initiated re-zonings, and development permits under existing zoning. In the coming months, city staff will be seeking council approval to move forward with city-initiated re-zonings in targeted low-rise and village areas with the goal of streamlining approvals and facilitating the timely delivery of housing and amenities.