B.C. releases recommendations to accelerate new housing in Oak Bay and West Vancouver

B.C.'s Housing Ministry has released two reports with recommendations to build more homes in two affluent suburbs of Greater Vancouver and Victoria. 

In 2023, the province ordered 60,000 new homes to be built in 10 municipalities over the next five years. Of that group, the Housing Ministry says only two — Oak Bay and West Vancouver — lag far behind their targets. 

"Every community and every local government has a role to play as we work together to solve the housing crisis, and make sure that our children and grandchildren can build a good life in B.C. in homes they can afford," Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Ravi Kahlon said in a written statement. 

The ministry says West Vancouver delivered 58 of its 220 new units in the first year of its housing targets, and Oak Bay delivered 16 of 56.

Earlier this year, Kahlon appointed advisers to review the two districts' lack of progress. The ministry says they conducted a two-month review that assessed processes like development approval, land-use planning, and housing policies and practices.

Among several points, the reports note the political climate in both municipalities and the likely reasons why housing targets have not been met. 

"West Vancouver has had a well-deserved reputation as an affluent enclave resistant to change," reads one report. 

"We heard repeatedly from people that they had paid a premium to live in Oak Bay so they would not have to experience growth or change," reads the other. 

In both reports, the advisers also note high land prices and reduced interest from the development community as other factors inhibiting growth. 

But the reports also note that many in the communities, including residents, staff and elected officials, are onboard with creating more housing and have been working to do so.

'This is not about punishing communities'

For Oak Bay, the recommendations include delegating minor variances in development permits to staff in order to prevent the politicization of projects when they make their way to council. 

The recommendations also include amending parking requirements to a minimum of one stall per unit, which the report says is in line with other municipalities. 

For West Vancouver, recommendations include amending the Official Community Plan and zoning bylaws to increase density in the Park Royal-Taylor Way area, as well as Ambleside and Dunderave Village. 

The ministry says it will give councils 30 days to comment on the directives, after which they will be issued under the province's Housing Supply Act. 

"Let me be clear: This is not about punishing communities or removing authority from locally elected municipal councils," Kahlon said in a written statement.

"The goal of local housing targets is centred around working with municipalities to remove unnecessary barriers to affordability and get more homes built for people faster, and ensuring we are building healthy and economically vibrant neighbourhoods for people."

Recognizing challenges

West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager told CBC News the report for his community is well-written and the advisers "did a very good job."

"I think they did a very good job," he said. 

"They recognize the challenges to the market that exist, and they also recognize the successes we've had." 

Sager said modifying the Official Community Plan to increase density is already in progress. He said in some cases, there has been strong community support for densification along Ambleside.

As for the report's recommendation that the Park Royal area become a transit hub, Sager noted that it requires a commitment from the province and long-term transit planning to address growth along all of the North Shore. 

Oak Bay Mayor echoed Sager's comments, saying the recommendations didn't come as a surprise.

"It kind of validates what we've been saying for the last year or so," Murdoch said. 

"I think they did a very thorough look at all of the aspects and really at the end of the day reiterated what we said to the province on several occasions, most recently in January."