VPSN comments on the Marpole Community Plan

[Oblique view of Vancouver and Fraser River looking north] Credit: City of Vancouver Archives; Reference code: AM54-S4-: LP 153.2; Date: June 5, 1948

On Wednesday April 2, City Council unanimously voted to approve the new Marpole Community Plan (MCP). This follows on the heels of the recent approval of the Downtown Eastside Local Area Plan and the West End Community Plan.

As with these other neighbourhood-scale policy documents, the VPSN wrote a letter expressing our general support for the draft plan but with suggestions for policy refinement, additions and clarifications. Relating to the mission and purpose of the VPSN, the sections we submitted comments on were Places, Built Form Guidelines, Transportation, Parks, Open Spaces and Greening, and Arts and Culture.

There’s a lot of interesting ideas in the new plan – the implementation of which will take place over the next several decades. Among the long list, and with a focus on the public realm:

• A new 10-acre park at the foot of Cambie Street and improvements to several of the current parks;
• Stronger connections along the Fraser River (something the VPSN has been advocating for a number of years);
• Placemaking and public space improvements along the major streets (including Oak, Cambie and Granville), including the creation of new plazas and gathering areas;
• Improved pedestrian and cycling connections to better link the the different neighbourhoods within Marpole;
• Renewal of the Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre, Marpole Place (Neighbourhood House) and Marpole library.

Excerpt from the Marpole Community Plan (2014)

As noted by the City, the next major step is for Council to consider proposed amendments to the Zoning and Development Bylaw at an upcoming public hearing. The proposed amendments would rezone several areas to allow the future possibility of townhouse/rowhouses and 4 storey apartments.

City Councillor Heather Deal was quoted on additional next steps including, the intent for City staff to “update council in five years on implementation of the plan. Consultation processes will be launched on the community amenities.”

[Cityscape view of Marpole] Credit: City of Vancouver Archives; Reference code: COV-S511-: CVA 780-214; Date: December 1976