Historic Area Height Review 
On April 19, 2011 
(159kb), Vancouver City Council approved the implementation of the Historic Area Height Review (HAHR) items relating to the Chinatown Historic Area (HA-1 and HA-1A zones). As shown in the map below, Council approved the following Zoning By-law amendments:
- HA-1 (Historic Pender Street): from 50 ft. – 65 ft. to 50 ft. - 75 ft.
- HA-1A (Chinatown South) from 70 ft. - 90 ft. to 90 ft.
Council also approved a “Rezoning Policy for Chinatown South (HA-1A)” (140kb) that clarifies where and how rezonings will be considered. The policy will allow consideration of rezonings up to a maximum of 120 ft. throughout Chinatown South and to approximately 150ft in the Main Street Sub-area, as shown on map below.
The Chinatown (HA-1 and HA-1A) Design Guidelines were also amended in order to reflect the moderate height increases and to support an appropriate, contemporary architectural responses to the historic Chinatown context. Finally, Council approved a Transfer of Density Policy to allow heritage density transfer into Chinatown South (HA-1A) to support revitalization efforts, as well as requiring new developments in Chinatown to be connectable to a district energy system for when one becomes available.
Purpose
Click to view larger Study Area map
The Historic Area of Vancouver, including Chinatown, Gastown, Victory Square and Hastings Street, is rich with history and has played a key role in the shaping of Vancouver's current identity. It is also a living community, a place of economy and a reminder of the City's rich heritage. In 2008, as part of the planning program for the Downtown Eastside, the City of Vancouver began exploring opportunities for additional height and density in the Historic Area. The purpose of the study was to inform the Chinatown Community Plan being developed, as well as to inform how the City responds to rezoning enquiries for taller buildings in the Historic Area.
Study Objectives
The Historic Area Height Review had several objectives guiding the study and its outcomes:
- To provide direction for growth and development in the Historic Area;
- To maintain the Historic Area’s character and general building scale; and,
- To ensure significant new development potential that may result from this study generates public benefits and amenities for the area, such as affordable housing, heritage conservation, social and cultural facilities.
Study Products
January 20, 2011
To implement Council’s decisions, staff will bring forward a report entitled Historic Area Height Review: Policy Implementation (1.46mb) to the Standing Committee of Planning & Environment. The report contains the:
- Draft rezoning policy for Higher Buildings in the Historic Area;
- Proposed amendments to the HA-1 and HA-1A Districts Schedule;
- Proposed Revisions to the HA-1 Design Guidelines;
- Proposed Revisions to the HA-1A Design Guidelines;
- Proposed Amendments to the Transfer of Density Policy and Procedure; and
- Update on the Density Bank.
January 26, 2010
Council approved the Historic Area Height Review: Conclusion and Recommendations report (2.62mb) and directed staff to bring forward implementing policy and by-law amendments to formalize their decisions.
In addition, the Historic Area Height Review may inform the review of other policy programs, including:
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