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How tall should buildings be in White Rock? (Outside the Town Centre)

We want to hear from you! An Official Community Plan (OCP) is the city's blueprint for managing change to achieve our shared goals. It contains policies that guide Council's 'land-use' decisions for where and how we grow in the future, helping to conserve what we love about the city as well as improve the quality of life for current and future residents. The OCP Review seeks to ensure that this important policy document is in alignment with the values, priorities, and aspirations of the community. While not all communities have OCPs with policies that guide building heights, it is recognized as an important topic in White Rock and is currently in our OCP; re-examining the policies for this important issue is part of the OCP Review.

This survey builds on feedback that was provided in Phase 1 of the OCP Review, and presents options for revising the maximum building heights in the OCP for three areas in the community: the primarily apartment neighbourhoods east and west of the Town Centre (the "Town Centre Transition" areas), the "Waterfront Village" area (both West Beach and East Beach), and a section of the area east of Peace Arch Hospital. The map of these "Outside the Town Centre" areas, also included below, can be downloaded by clicking HERE. 

Options for the Town Centre area itself (red area below) have been considered in a separate process, and more information about the Town Centre changes can be read in the staff report by clicking HERE. Future changes to the Town Centre development bylaws will be brought forward in Winter/Spring 2021.

A digital open house on January 14, 2021, including a presentation on the topic and options, was recorded and is available for viewing on the City's YouTube channel at the following link: www.youtube.com/cityofwhiterockbc.

The following pages provide an overview of the options and you will be asked to choose which option for the above areas, if any, you prefer, or if you have another alternative. There is also space on the survey to share additional thoughts or ideas you have on the topic. The survey has three main pages and takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete, depending on whether you choose to type any additional thoughts. 

This survey will be open until February 12, 2021 and the results will be shared with Council in a future report. Any changes to the OCP Bylaw would involve a Public Hearing as an additional opportunity for the public to share their opinions with Council before a final decision is made.

Additional background information:

  • A summary of the overall public engagement that happened during Phase 1 of the OCP Review can be downloaded by clicking HERE (note this is a large, 60MB PDF file).
  • For context on the locations of taller (ie., 4+ storey) existing or approved apartment or commercial buildings in White Rock, a map identifying these heights (in storeys) can be downloaded by clicking HERE (note: this map does not include all existing 4-storey apartment buildings).

The information on this electronic form is collected under the authority of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, RSBC 1996, c. 165, s. 26(e). The information will be used for evaluating public opinion for future updates to the City’s Official Community Plan Bylaw and Zoning Bylaw. By submitting this electronic form, you are consenting to its collection and use. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information, contact the Director of Corporate Administration, White Rock City Hall, 15322 Buena Vista Avenue, White Rock, BC, V4B 1Y6, Tel. 604-541-2100