A proposed 26-storey tower at 2611 Victoria Dr. that would block views from Trout Lake to the North Shore mountains is set to return before Vancouver city council on Tuesday. The developers, Vertex Developments of North Vancouver and Fastmark based in Vancouver, are seeking an exemption to the city's view policy to allow a height of 83 metres in an area zoned for 10.7 metres.
Proposal Details and Developer Arguments
The mixed-use building would contain 250 rental housing units, with 20 per cent of the residential floor area secured at below-market rates, along with commercial space at ground level. Developers argue the height is necessary to provide much-needed rental housing and promote mixed-use development, especially in response to B.C.'s transit-oriented area density legislation requiring a minimum 20-storey height within 200 metres of a SkyTrain station.
Critics and Community Concerns
Critics, including residents and view advocates, argue the exemption would set a precedent for other developers seeking similar allowances and would irrevocably block the 'precious' views of the Ch’ích’iyúy Elx̱wíḵn mountains, also known as the Two Sisters or the Lions. Resident Paisley Woodward, who fought for the views in February, stated, 'Those views are so precious, and once they are gone, they are gone. We don’t have the wide beaches of Jericho. We don’t have Coal Harbour. We don’t have False Creek. We just have Trout Lake.'
City Council and Staff Recommendations
In February, council voted to protect view cones around Trout Lake. However, the proposal is back without a public hearing, only a council vote on Tuesday morning. A June 23 staff report acknowledges the height intrudes on the Trout Lake public view and recommends the plan be referred for further analysis. The report notes strong community support for protecting views of the North Shore mountains and the culturally significant Two Sisters.
Context and Implications
Public view guidelines regulate building height, massing, and view shadow impacts to protect views of the North Shore mountains, downtown skyline, and landmark buildings. The site at Victoria Drive and 10th Avenue currently has 20 existing rental units. While the proposal aligns with transit-oriented density rules, Woodward emphasized, 'It’s not like you won’t see tall towers from Trout Lake. There’s a Safeway development at Broadway and Commercial. You’ll be able to see those towers. They just won’t be in the protected view cones.'
