Housing Moves into False Creek Flats

Vancouver city planners vow that Onni’s plan to build 209 condominiums in the largely industrial False Creek Flats will not spark a housing frenzy on what many view as a warehouse and distribution area.

Instead, Onni’s two-building Canvas development, which will launch pre-sales later this month, is the exception, City of Vancouver general manager of planning Brian Jackson stressed to Business in Vancouver.

 “There’s no permission for any further residential other than what Onni has,” Jackson said. Thanks to Metro Vancouver’s two-year-old regional growth strategy, any change in zoning on the flats will require more than just Vancouver city council approval. Converting what is mostly industrial land to other uses would also require regional approval.

 “We’re looking at this as being primarily a jobs area,” said Jackson.

 He added that city staff are preparing land-use and transportation plans for the area, which is bounded by Clark Drive, Great Northern Way, Main Street and Prior Street. They will present that plan to council next year, when council considers approving tearing down the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts to the east.

Read more: http://www.vancourier.com/news/housing-moves-into-false-creek-flats-1.930889