HISTORY
As early as 1931, commercial services above Highway 1 in West Vancouver have been contemplated. Originally, this was envisioned in the form of a “High Street” at Taylor Way to support the new British Properties neighbourhood. Course was changed to instead build a regional shopping centre at Park Royal in 1950, which was deemed adequate to serve the Upper Lands for several decades.
2004 OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN
In 2004, the District of West Vancouver (DWV) approved a new Official Community Plan (OCP), which set new policy direction for the Upper Lands in West Vancouver. Among other objectives, the OCP contemplated the creation of a new village centre above Highway 1 located at the first switchback of Cypress Bowl Road.
2008 RODGERS CREEK AREA DEVELOPMENT PLAN
In 2008, the Rodgers Creek Area Development Plan (ADP)with unprecedented housing diversity and green space protection, was approved by local Council. A key principal in the Rodgers Creek ADP policy, which guided planning decisions, was the existence of a future commercial village at the first switchback of Cypress Bowl Road. The ADP states:
“The current District Works Yard, one of the areas of moderate topography in the Upper Lands, has the potential to become redeveloped as part of the Village, should the District choose to relocate the current uses at some time in the future. Other sites suited to mixed use development are located on the west side of Godman Creek on a series of terraces with superb view opportunities in the area east of Cypress Falls Park.”
2015 UPPER LANDS WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS
In June 2015, DWV Council passed a motion that recommendations from this citizen-led Working Group report should be used be used as a framework to inform the Cypress Village Area Development Plan. A key recommendation was to study the potential of transferring BPP’s development potential from lands west of Eagle Creek to lands east of Eagle Creek, in turn protecting more green space and yielding a denser more compact village to enhance the viability of the commercial shops and services envisioned.
2016 DWV COUNCIL APPROVES VILLAGE PLANNING PROCESS
In April 2016 the DWV Council approved a report outlining an applicant-led process for the planning of Cypress Village.
2016 BPP-LED CONSULTATION & PLANNING
In May 2016, BPP undertook an initial planning program for Cypress Village, including a comprehensive series of events and open houses, which led to three conceptual plans and a clear community vision for the village. The BPP-led efforts are summarized in the Vision section of this website.
2017 DWV COUNCIL APPROVES COST RECOVERY REPORT
In July 2017, DWV Council received a Cost Recovery Report from staff, informing the community that a Cost Recovery Report with BPP is proceeding for the planning of Cypress Village, enabling the DWV to hire consultants to assist in the planning of Cypress Village with costs being fully recovered from BPP. The scope of the cost recovery agreement has been focused on a series of ‘Preconditions’ (9 technical subjects) intended to ensure a mutual understanding between BPP and the DWV around performance goals for the Village, prior to further public consultation and policy development expected in the fall of 2019.
2018 NEW OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PLAN
In June 2018, the DWV approved a new Official Community Plan (OCP) which included Cypress Village as an important part of West Vancouver’s future, stating it should be a “sustainable village with a strong sense of community”. Much of the OCP chapter related to Cypress Village stems from the 2015 Upper Lands Working Group recommendations, formalizing these recommendations as policy.
2019 DWV-LED CONSULTATION & PLANNING
Under a cost recovery agreement with BPP, DWV staff engaged an independent consulting team led by Coriolis to review the technical requirements and preconditions for the Village including the work previously undertaken by BPP’s consulting team that would facilitate a public consultation to receive community input that will inform the Area Development Plan for Cypress Village and surrounding lands.
2020 DWV-LED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PLANNING OF THE UPPER LANDS
In July 2020, the DWV officially launched a planning and community engagement process to create detailed policy for portions of Cypress Village and Eagleridge in the Upper Lands. This process will be a comprehensive multi-phased public process with a high level of involvement from the West Vancouver community, and will result in an Area Development Plan (ADP) for Cypress Village. This process will build on the vision outlined in the 2018 Official Community Plan which sets out community aspirations and principles for protecting environmental and recreational areas of the Upper Lands and creating sustainable, compact community in Cypress Village.
To learn more, visit www.westvancouverite.ca/upperlands.
Stay Informed
We’ll email you information on upcoming events and ways to join the conversation
By completing and submitting this form, I consent to receive information from British Pacific Properties relating to Cypress Village including project updates and event notifications. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time. E.&O.E.