FAQs

Land Use Plan Update

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• Why are you updating the plan right now?

  Currently, Port Metro Vancouver’s Land Use Plan is a combination of three different and sometimes inconsistent plans from the former Fraser River, North Fraser and Vancouver Port Authorities, which amalgamated in 2008. We need an updated land use plan that addresses our current situation and the priorities identified in the Port 2050 visioning process.

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  • Port 2050

• Is the Land Use Plan the same as a zoning bylaw? Is it a master plan?

  The Land Use Plan will be less specific than a zoning bylaw. It will identify appropriate types of uses for Port lands and water but it will not include specific development criteria such as the location of buildings or how big lots should be. 

  The Land Use Plan is not the same as a Master Plan either. Where a master plan may look at the entire operations of a Port, the Land Use Plan will focus primarily on land use and related interests. Rather than designate lands for specific commodities, the Land Use Plan will identify a range of uses that would be appropriate to develop on any given parcel.

• Are you going to consider the future use of agricultural land owned by the Port as part of your land use plan?

  Yes. The process to update the Land Use Plan will explore appropriate uses for agricultural lands owned by the Port. The Port respects that agricultural land is an important issue for communities and other regulatory authorities. We invite all those interested in this topic to participate in the process to update our Land Use Plan so we can ensure your views are considered as we develop policies for the use of agricultural land.

• What is the Port’s position on the region’s industrial land supply?

  The retention of a viable industrial land base in the region is critical to a strong local economy. Although the demand for industrial land in our region continues to rise, the supply of such lands is declining as it comes under increasing pressure for redevelopment to other uses that provide a more immediate return on investment. We wish to work with all other jurisdictions having authority over land use in the region to reverse this trend.

• How does the Container Capacity Improvement Project (CCIP) fit with the Land Use Plan?

  Container traffic through Canada’s Pacific Gateway is expected to double over the next 10 to 15 years and nearly triple by 2030. The Container Capacity Improvement Program (CCIP) is our long-term strategy to reliably support growing international trade in an efficient and sustainable manner. The Land Use Plan will draw from the information and findings of the CCIP program in order to ensure the Plan supports this initiative.

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  • Container Capacity Improvement Program

• I want to share all of this information with other people. Do you have an information package?

  Please go to our resources section for complete background papers and information materials. Also, remember to refer people to our website as we will be updating the information regularly.

• How will my input affect the final outcome?

  Your input will help us make informed decisions as we prepare new land use policies and designations for the Plan. We will carefully consider all feedback we receive. Our key challenge will be to develop a Plan that strikes an appropriate balance of diverse perspectives while enabling the Port to fulfill its mandate of facilitating the growth of trade to the benefit of all Canadians.

• How long is the Land Use Plan intended to last?

  The Plan will look forward over the next 15 to 20 years. However, as we cannot predict the future, we expect the Plan will be updated again before that timeframe is over in order to remain a relevant document that satisfies its objectives. As with most land use plans, it may also be amended on occasion to accommodate a development proposal that does not meet the intent of the Plan but may otherwise be acceptable. Any process to update or significantly amend the Land Use Plan would involve a consultation process.

• How is the Plan related to Port growth?

  Port Metro Vancouver’s core mandate is to facilitate Canadian trade. As Canada’s economy grows in the years ahead, the Port will need to accommodate increased trade, both in terms of exporting of Canadian commodities and importing goods to meet increasing consumer demands.  We anticipate growth, and this might mean intensifying the use of our existing lands as well as potentially acquiring new lands for Port operations. The Land Use Plan will help us plan ahead to ensure we have the capacity to grow sustainably. 

• Where can I get information on active Port development projects?

  Our website provides up-to-date information on Port projects.

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  • Ongoing projects

• Will the land use plan address operational issues like noise and traffic?

  The Plan will strive to address operational issues that are directly related to new development of Port land and water. For example, the Plan could contain a policy regarding the incorporation of appropriate noise mitigation measure with new development. The Port is addressing operational issues through other initiatives as well, see below for more information. 

  Learn more

  • North Shore Rail Steering Committee 
  • Truck Traffic Pilot Program
  • Community Complaints Line

  
  

• How does the land use plan affect me if I’m:

  • Part of the business community?

    The Land Use Plan will help you to identify potential areas for growth and give you the opportunity to shape how the Port develops.

  • A local resident?

    Port lands are located within 16 local municipalities. The Land Use Plan will make suggestions on how these lands are used. This will affect adjacent neighbourhoods and have indirect effects, such as local job creation and traffic impacts.

  • Member of a First Nations community?

    We will engage with local First Nations to improve the interface between Port activities and First Nations’ current and future uses. In addition to living in close proximity to Port operations, First Nations use lands and waters managed by the Port for purposes such as fishing, hunting and gathering. The Land Use Plan will reflect a better understanding of the interaction between these uses and Port operations.

  • A part of the local, provincial, or federal government?

    The Land Use Plan will shape port development for the next 10-15 years. It will impact bordering municipalities economically and through infrastructure development. We anticipate that the Land Use Plan will involve local municipal governments as well as Provincial and Federal ministries focusing on trade, environment, transportation and infrastructure.