Land use plan amendment 2023
Over the past year, the port authority has acquired one site in Surrey. We are required by the Canada Marine Act to include and designate this land in our land use plan by way of an amendment and apply an appropriate port authority land use designation that is consistent with anticipated future use of the site.
The port authority also proposes to re-designate two existing port authority sites in Coquitlam and Electoral Area A to better reflect anticipated future uses and activities in these two areas.
The amendment process is set out in the Canada Marine Act and requires public notification and consultation.
About the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority’s Land Use Plan
We manage federal lands and waters in support of national trade objectives for the benefit of all Canadians. Geographically, the Port of Vancouver includes more than 16,000 hectares of water, over 1,500 hectares of land, and approximately 350 kilometres of shoreline. Located on the southwest coast of British Columbia, the Port of Vancouver borders 16 municipalities and intersects the traditional territories and treaty lands of several Coast Salish First Nations.
Our mandate, as set out in the Canada Marine Act, is to enable Canada's trade through the Port of Vancouver, while protecting the environment, and considering local communities. In December 2020, the port authority's board of directors adopted an updated land use plan, which provides a framework for development and use of port lands and waters for the next 15 to 20 years.
From time to time, we acquire land to ensure future port-related activities can be accommodated, focusing on sites with ready access to shipping channels, truck routes or rail corridors, and close proximity to existing port holdings. Strategic land acquisitions are one of the ways we are responding to the increasing shortage of trade-enabling industrial land, ensuring the Port of Vancouver is ready to handle growing trade, and living up to our commitment to deliver economic prosperity through trade.
Get involved - consultation period details
The public consultation period will run from May 1 to July 1, 2023. There are numerous ways to participate and provide your feedback.
- Review the materials and complete our online feedback form
- Attend a digital information session or one of two in-person open houses
- Send us an email with your thoughts
| Digital information session | Open house 1 | Open house 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023 | Date: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 | Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023 |
| Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| Location: Zoom - Register here | Location: Discovery Centre, 999 Canada Place, Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3T4 | Location: Surrey City Centre Library, Room 402 – fourth floor, 10350 University Drive, Surrey, B.C. V3T 4B8 |
All consultation materials are available in the Supporting Documents section of this website.
For the latest information, please visit the port authority website.
Details of the sites and proposed amendments
| Municipality and site | Surrey - Newly acquired land | Electoral Area A - Port authority re-designated land | Coquitlam - Port authority re-designated land |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site location | 12509 Industrial Road | Portion of water lot fronting Clementine Outstation, Electoral Area A – Indian Arm | Water lot fronting 1950 Brigantine Drive |
| Site area | 2.99 ha / 7.41 ac | 0.92 ha / 2.27 ac | 14.75 ha/ 36.46 ac |
| Current use | Vacant | Navigation channel | Log storage and barge moorage |
| Anticipated future use | To be determined | Marina expansion | Loading/unloading of barges and storage of construction materials and equipment |
| Former municipal zoning | IH – High Impact Industrial | N/A | N/A |
| Former municipal land use designation | Industrial | N/A (port authority – Port water) | N/A (port authority – Log storage and barge moorage) |
| Proposed land use plan designation | Industrial | Commercial | Industrial |
| Date of acquisition/tenure agreement | May 4, 2022 | N/A | N/A |
This table is also available on page 2 of the backgrounder.
Click here to view a larger version of the overview map of sites.
Land use plan designation definitions
- “Commercial”: Primarily intended for commercial activities related to port or marine support services, tourism-related businesses, transportation of passengers, and the handling and storage of goods. Primary uses may include marinas, float plane terminals, warehouses, and tourism-related businesses. Ancillary uses may include offices, storage areas, caretaker facilities, and other uses required to support the primary use.
- "Industrial”: Primarily intended for light to heavy industrial activities in support of port operations and marine support services, including goods shipping, transportation, handling, and, in some cases, manufacturing. Primary uses may include intermodal yards, warehouses, container storage facilities, transloading facilities, ship repair, and barge moorage activities. Ancillary uses may include offices, storage areas, caretaker facilities, and other uses required to support the primary use.
- "Log storage and barge moorage”: Primarily designated for log storage, barge moorage, and associated activities.
- "Port water”: Primarily designated for shipping, navigation, moorage, and anchorage in open water and foreshore areas adjacent to port and non-port lands.
Ways to participate
Between May 1 and July 1, 2023, you are invited to share your input through the following methods:
- Online questionnaire
- Digital information session (the presentation will be linked here after the event)
- In-person open house
- Email: LandUse.Plan@portvancouver.com
Land use plan amendment digital information session
A recording of the digital information session is posted below.
Stay Informed
Get notified on upcoming engagements and the latest project related news.