CoV Update on Laneway Housing —When might it be allowed in your neighbourhood?
March 26, 2009
By City of Vancouver, Planning Department
The City has been working on amending single family zoning to allow laneway housing. This new housing form will be located in the typical garage area where it maintains backyard open space. As per past City Council direction, it will be limited to 1 ½ storeys, have at least one off-street parking space, and be rental or family only (no stratification will be allowed).
Recently, a City Council Motion directed that action relating to new affordable and rental housing, be prioritized. In explaining the motion, Council referenced laneway housing specifically as such an opportunity for prioritized action and fast-tracking. The laneway housing timeline has therefore been adjusted to provide draft zoning amendments for public comment and Council consideration at the July 21st Public Hearing.
Many homeowners have been indicating their wish to apply to build a laneway house as soon as possible. Laneway housing was also identified as having broad public support through the EcoDensity public engagement in 2007-08. Public discussion on specific issues and options then occurred in fall 2008, leading to the list of features that laneway housing zoning will incorporate.
Prior to the July public hearing, staff will again meet with stakeholder groups and provide information to the broad public. If Council approves zoning changes, development applications can start right away.
Further information is available on the City’s website.
I am very interested in the laneway housing but I don’t understand why the city is limiting it to single-family zone neighbourhoods which seems to exclude most of the inner residential neighbourhood areas of the city. In their report, on the EcoDensity website, it appeared that areas such as most of Mount Pleasant, Kitsilano and Grandview Woodlands would not be included for future laneway housing.
I would like clarification on this. If this is the case, I find it illogical, since increasing density closer to the urban core is more benificial in promoting residents less dependent on longer and auto-centric commuting patterns. I live in the Grandview Woodlands near neighbourhood (Commercial Drive area) which I think would be a perfect candidate for increasing density through laneway housing while maintain the historic character of the neighbourhood.