The Official Community Plan (OCP) shapes the future of West Vancouver: how housing needs can be met, where shops, services, and community facilities are located, how we move around, how we can protect the environment, and how we respond to climate change.
In 2017, the District began a collaborative review of its 2004 OCP. Over two years, the community worked together with staff to develop a forward-looking plan through a four-phase public engagement process, which included over 100 meetings, 1,000 surveys and submissions, and approximately 4,500 instances of engagement. The resulting OCP was adopted by Council on June 25, 2018, and its implementation is ongoing.
In 2023, the Province amended the Local Government Act, requiring local governments to review their OCPs to ensure that they accommodate the 20-year total housing needs identified in the most recent Housing Needs Report (HNR).
In December 2024, the District published its Interim HNR using provincial methodologies and data, identifying a gap of approximately 900 units between the current OCP’s housing capacity and the community’s 20-year housing needs. Consequently, the housing policies of the OCP must be amended by December 31, 2025, to comply with Provincial legislation.
Staff acknowledges the importance of ensuring the OCP continues to align with West Vancouver’s specific needs and community interests. The District will engage the community to explore how the existing OCP’s housing policies can be amended to meet new legislative requirements while reflecting the community’s aspirations and preferences. Engagement through a survey will begin in Spring 2025 – Please stay tuned for updates.