Thirty of Ambleside’s rental buildings could be redeveloped, with homes sold as strata units.

West Vancouver Council has rejected a proposal to rezone 30 Ambleside apartment buildings so they remain permanently rentable.

West Van has insufficient rental housing to meet existing needs, resulting in some of the highest apartment rents in Canada, and very few affordable rental options for middle class residents.

Furthermore West Van’s purpose-built rental buildings, mostly constructed in the 1960s and 70s, are at risk of redevelopment and loss to strata ownership.

On Monday November 27th proposals to rezone 30 apartment buildings as rental-only, and create more rental supply - supported by residents in the recent Ambleside LAP consultation - were rejected by the council.

“Addressing affordability, such as protecting and retaining current rental or adding new rental stock, is important to the community, as is seniors housing given the local demographics” - Ambleside LAP Engagement Summary

This means thousands of residents - including seniors and families - are at risk of being ‘demovicted’. Many would most likely have to leave West Van to find affordable homes elsewhere.

BACKGROUND
- North Shore News report: WV rejects rental-only zoning for Ambleside apartments
- Public Hearing Notice: Ambleside Local Area Plan Proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments

The Public Hearing on November 20th heard from a number of residents in support of the rezoning proposals.

Councillors Christine Cassidy, Scott Snider, Linda Watt and Sharon Thompson voted against the rental protection proposal.

Councillors Peter Lambur and Nora Gambioli voted in favour. Mayor Mark Sager supported the policy, but said he does not vote unless he has the decidng vote.