Vancouver city council will make decisions Tuesday on several rezoning proposals that would normally be referred to public hearing but are now no longer required because of provincial government legislation aimed at speeding up approvals for housing.

Council’s agenda for its May 5 meeting includes nine rezoning proposals and two others that are expected to be referred to a future meeting for decision. Tuesday’s meeting marks the first time council has dealt with such a large number of applications under the new rules.

Under the province’s Vancouver Charter amendments, brought forward through Bill 18, projects that are consistent with the recently passed Official Development Plan (ODP) and include at least 50 per cent residential floor area are prohibited from holding a public hearing.

However, if a project matches the ODP but includes significant non‑residential uses, council has a choice: they can either send the project to a public hearing, or decide on it at a regular council meeting.

Council approved Vancouver’s ODP March 12.

It’s a document that aims to provide residents, businesses and developers with more clarity and certainty on how different neighbourhoods will grow over time. In a news release at the time, Mayor Ken Sim called the ODP’s approval “a defining moment” for Vancouver.

“The Vancouver ODP ensures growth happens thoughtfully and in a coordinated way so we can deliver more housing, support a strong local economy, and build complete, connected neighbourhoods,” Sim said. “It’s about making sure our city continues to meet the needs of the people who live and work here.”

The ODP includes maps and policies that show where housing, job space, parks, schools and public facilities could go, helping ensure growth is coordinated with the development of infrastructure and amenities.

Workshops, open houses

The same news release said “other opportunities” will be maintained for the public to provide input during the rezoning process. That includes the “shape your city” platform, where each rezoning application has a dedicated page and comment box.

The city has also promised to continue holding in-person and virtual workshops and open houses “as needed, to gather feedback and provide information about development proposals,” according to information on the city’s website.

“While public hearings are crucial for community input, they often occur too late in the rezoning process to significantly influence outcomes,” the website said. “This timing can limit public participation and accessibility.”

At the same time, the former public hearing process did allow for a substantial amount of housing to be approved, according to a city news release April 8.

In 2025, the city approved more than 12,500 new homes, exceeding the annual target of 8,300 by 54 per cent. Of the 12,500 approved, 2,300 purpose-built market rental units were completed, marking the highest annual level of rental completions in more than 40 years.

‘Deeper affordability’

Josh White, the city’s general manager of planning, urban design and sustainability, said a key contributor to the increase was the below-market rental program, which secures long-term affordable homes by allowing added density in exchange for below-market rents.

“This demonstrates the effectiveness of city policies in supporting deeper affordability through private-sector development,” White said.

One of the rezoning applications before council Tuesday concerns a property in the West End, where the developer wants to build two buildings: a 41-storey mixed-use building containing 377 rental units, with commercial space on the ground floor; and a 38-storey residential building containing 236 strata units.

The site comprises two parcels located on the southwest corner of Alberni and Bidwell Streets.

Tuesday’s council meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. at city hall.

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