Our City, Our Homes

Project update, March 10, 2025: Thank you to all who participated for providing your valuable feedback on the Our City, Our Homes housing initiatives! This engagement has now concluded, and our team is working on summarizing what we heard from the community. Work on these housing initiatives will also include feedback from local housing providers and developers, various City departments, neighbouring municipalities, research and technical analysis.

Check this page for upcoming updates, including a summary of what we heard from the survey and our drop-in events that will be shared here later this spring.

What's Happening?

When it comes to housing, there’s a lot on the go!

Governments of all levels across Canada are working to tackle the housing crisis. Here in New Westminster, the City is continuing to advance Council’s Strategic Priorities Plan to clear the way for all types of new homes needed today and in the future. Together, we are working hard towards more and better housing for all.

There are several bylaws and policy tools the City uses to enable housing development. Currently, the City is making updates to our Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. These are the primary regulations for what type of housing (e.g. apartment, townhouse, or duplex) is allowed where, and how big or tall it is allowed to be. The coming changes will impact many properties in the city through one of the following initiatives:

	Transit Oriented Development Areas: The Province has identified five transit-oriented development areas in New Westminster at 22^nd Street, New Westminster, Columbia, Sapperton, and Braid SkyTrain stations. These areas are now required to be designated for greater density.
	Townhouses: Today, townhouses are allowed in the city in limited locations and when approved by City Council through a rezoning application. In an effort to see more townhouses built, we’re exploring more locations and reduced development approvals processes.
	Infill housing: This initiative explores allowing multiplexes of up to six units to be built on properties in the city that currently allow houses, suites, and laneway houses.
	Non-profit affordable housing: The goal of this program is to reduce barriers to non-profit housing providers to build affordable rental housing by streamlining development approvals processes.

Several of the initiatives above are part of the City’s participation in the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Accelerator Fund. The Province of British Columbia has also made significant changes to housing legislation, impacting how local governments operate when it comes to reviewing development applications. The City is required to meet timelines related to both. Learn more about how senior government is shaping housing in our city by clicking through the links.

Right now, the City is not making changes to housing regulations in Queensborough because more research is needed on infrastructure like water and sewer systems to see if the area can support more housing. The Province has given the City an extension until May 2029 to complete this research before making any decisions. The City will consult with residents before any changes in Queensborough are finalized.

What's Next?

Our team is working on summarizing what we heard from our community this spring (see “Past engagement opportunities” below for engagement details). When the engagement summary is prepared, it will be posted on this page. Check back here soon!

The feedback received will help shape changes to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw related to location, type, and process for housing options in New Westminster, ranging from duplexes through apartment towers. The community’s feedback will be combined with feedback from local housing providers and developers, various City departments, neighbouring municipalities, and technical analysis. All of this feedback will be presented to City Council early summer. See the Project Timeline on this page for more detail.

Past Engagement Opportunities

The Our City, Our Homes engagement period was February 22- March 9, 2025. The information and questions presented to the community as part of this engagement are available in a section of this page titled “Open House Information Boards”.

The purpose of the Our City, Our Homes community engagement was to:

Help community members understand the changes and new programs related to housing: where they come from, how they work, and why they are being made.
Hear your questions, concerns, and hopes for the future of housing in New Westminster.
Seek your feedback on proposed locations, types, and regulations for the different housing types we’re working on.

Engagement activities included:

🎪 In-Person Events;(Completed)

The City hosted three drop in events that allowed the public to stop by to talk with staff. All events presented similar information and resources, and asked participants questions to gather their input on specific topics. Drop-ins were held March 1, March 5, and March 8, 2025..

💻 Virtual Session (Completed)

On March 6, City staff presented information and asked questions for input in an online format. The event started with a quick introductory presentation and allowed participants to jump on at any time to learn about the four housing initiatives as well as provide their feedback..

📋 Survey (Closed)

From February 22 through March 9, participants provided input through a series of online questions about housing types, locations, and regulations. The survey provided the core information needed to answer the questions, which were the same as those asked at the events listed above.

Check this page for upcoming updates, including a summary of what we heard from the survey and our drop-in events that will be shared here later this spring.

What's Happening?

When it comes to housing, there’s a lot on the go!

	Transit Oriented Development Areas: The Province has identified five transit-oriented development areas in New Westminster at 22^nd Street, New Westminster, Columbia, Sapperton, and Braid SkyTrain stations. These areas are now required to be designated for greater density.
	Townhouses: Today, townhouses are allowed in the city in limited locations and when approved by City Council through a rezoning application. In an effort to see more townhouses built, we’re exploring more locations and reduced development approvals processes.
	Infill housing: This initiative explores allowing multiplexes of up to six units to be built on properties in the city that currently allow houses, suites, and laneway houses.
	Non-profit affordable housing: The goal of this program is to reduce barriers to non-profit housing providers to build affordable rental housing by streamlining development approvals processes.

What's Next?

Past Engagement Opportunities

The purpose of the Our City, Our Homes community engagement was to:

Help community members understand the changes and new programs related to housing: where they come from, how they work, and why they are being made.
Hear your questions, concerns, and hopes for the future of housing in New Westminster.
Seek your feedback on proposed locations, types, and regulations for the different housing types we’re working on.

Engagement activities included:

🎪 In-Person Events;(Completed)

💻 Virtual Session (Completed)

📋 Survey (Closed)

Ask a Question

Have a question about the Our City, Our Homes engagement?

Check our Important Links section for a wide variety of online resources.

Please add your questions here and press submit. We will aim to reply within 5 business days. Sometimes answers require information from multiple sources and it could take us longer to reply. If we think your question may be of interest to others, we'll post your question and our response here. Thank you for taking the time to write to us!

Share Reading the TOD area, it shows that the 88 10th street is in the TOD and should be 8 stories and yet the plan shows 30 to 40 stories. The plan is poor - no community will survive that kind of density with the supposed gardens - highrise residents do not get to know each other - believe me I know - I am one. The density is too much and added to that apparently we do not need to provide parking because it is in the TOD - residents still have cars - it is fantasy to think they don't just because they are near public transit. This plan really needs to be rethought. on Facebook Share Reading the TOD area, it shows that the 88 10th street is in the TOD and should be 8 stories and yet the plan shows 30 to 40 stories. The plan is poor - no community will survive that kind of density with the supposed gardens - highrise residents do not get to know each other - believe me I know - I am one. The density is too much and added to that apparently we do not need to provide parking because it is in the TOD - residents still have cars - it is fantasy to think they don't just because they are near public transit. This plan really needs to be rethought. on Twitter Share Reading the TOD area, it shows that the 88 10th street is in the TOD and should be 8 stories and yet the plan shows 30 to 40 stories. The plan is poor - no community will survive that kind of density with the supposed gardens - highrise residents do not get to know each other - believe me I know - I am one. The density is too much and added to that apparently we do not need to provide parking because it is in the TOD - residents still have cars - it is fantasy to think they don't just because they are near public transit. This plan really needs to be rethought. on Linkedin Email Reading the TOD area, it shows that the 88 10th street is in the TOD and should be 8 stories and yet the plan shows 30 to 40 stories. The plan is poor - no community will survive that kind of density with the supposed gardens - highrise residents do not get to know each other - believe me I know - I am one. The density is too much and added to that apparently we do not need to provide parking because it is in the TOD - residents still have cars - it is fantasy to think they don't just because they are near public transit. This plan really needs to be rethought. link

Reading the TOD area, it shows that the 88 10th street is in the TOD and should be 8 stories and yet the plan shows 30 to 40 stories. The plan is poor - no community will survive that kind of density with the supposed gardens - highrise residents do not get to know each other - believe me I know - I am one. The density is too much and added to that apparently we do not need to provide parking because it is in the TOD - residents still have cars - it is fantasy to think they don't just because they are near public transit. This plan really needs to be rethought.

Pamd asked 24 days ago

Thank you for your patience, and for taking the time to share your comment. Your feedback has been shared it with the project team.
The development application at 88 Tenth Street (Columbia Square) does exceed the minimum allowable density and location of the Province’s Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Area legislation. However, it is generally consistent with the previously established Downtown Community Plan’s Land Use Designation for the property. The Downtown Plan calls for mixed-use high density of approximately 30 storeys at that location. In cases like these, the City is not proposing to reduce a property’s density entitlements in locations where the existing development or permitted density is already higher than the Province’s legislation.
The current application for this development is in its early stages, and a Master Plan is expected as part of the development process. This plan would expand on the details of the current application, including elements such as parking, green space, tower design, access to light, circulation, and community amenities, among other key items. You can visit the 88 Tenth Street (Columbia Square) Be Heard page for more information.
A separate initiative the City has been engaged in recently is called “Building Social Connections”. You can click the link to learn more! In summary, it’s a study of programming strategies and aspects of building design focused on informing inclusive ‘sociable’ housing policy, especially at higher densities. This includes approaches on promoting a sense of belonging, inclusion, social relationships, and community (neighbourly) connections. We’re now working on how to integrate the findings and design solutions proposed in the Building Social Connections’ Policy and Design Toolkit (2024) into the City’s frameworks.

downtown plan,transit oriented development,parking
downtown plan transit oriented development parking
Share I like the idea of the Transit Orientated Areas. However the Province's methodology of simply drawing circles ignores local conditions such as street grids, geographic features, established city centres and much more. Has the city lobbied the Province for more flexibility in defining the TOAs so that the boundaries are more malleable? I understand that the city may "finish the block" but what about removing specific properties from a TOA or designating a Tier 3 area as Tier 2 instead? Further, can the city create more than one land use designation that maps to a Tier? For example, perhaps a Tier 3 zone that emphasizes affordable housing vs. family infill housing or another that specifically recognizes areas of heritage merit? If yes, perhaps this could be a tool for the city to shape the TOAs to better align with community aspirations and the conditions of specific blocks. on Facebook Share I like the idea of the Transit Orientated Areas. However the Province's methodology of simply drawing circles ignores local conditions such as street grids, geographic features, established city centres and much more. Has the city lobbied the Province for more flexibility in defining the TOAs so that the boundaries are more malleable? I understand that the city may "finish the block" but what about removing specific properties from a TOA or designating a Tier 3 area as Tier 2 instead? Further, can the city create more than one land use designation that maps to a Tier? For example, perhaps a Tier 3 zone that emphasizes affordable housing vs. family infill housing or another that specifically recognizes areas of heritage merit? If yes, perhaps this could be a tool for the city to shape the TOAs to better align with community aspirations and the conditions of specific blocks. on Twitter Share I like the idea of the Transit Orientated Areas. However the Province's methodology of simply drawing circles ignores local conditions such as street grids, geographic features, established city centres and much more. Has the city lobbied the Province for more flexibility in defining the TOAs so that the boundaries are more malleable? I understand that the city may "finish the block" but what about removing specific properties from a TOA or designating a Tier 3 area as Tier 2 instead? Further, can the city create more than one land use designation that maps to a Tier? For example, perhaps a Tier 3 zone that emphasizes affordable housing vs. family infill housing or another that specifically recognizes areas of heritage merit? If yes, perhaps this could be a tool for the city to shape the TOAs to better align with community aspirations and the conditions of specific blocks. on Linkedin Email I like the idea of the Transit Orientated Areas. However the Province's methodology of simply drawing circles ignores local conditions such as street grids, geographic features, established city centres and much more. Has the city lobbied the Province for more flexibility in defining the TOAs so that the boundaries are more malleable? I understand that the city may "finish the block" but what about removing specific properties from a TOA or designating a Tier 3 area as Tier 2 instead? Further, can the city create more than one land use designation that maps to a Tier? For example, perhaps a Tier 3 zone that emphasizes affordable housing vs. family infill housing or another that specifically recognizes areas of heritage merit? If yes, perhaps this could be a tool for the city to shape the TOAs to better align with community aspirations and the conditions of specific blocks. link

I like the idea of the Transit Orientated Areas. However the Province's methodology of simply drawing circles ignores local conditions such as street grids, geographic features, established city centres and much more. Has the city lobbied the Province for more flexibility in defining the TOAs so that the boundaries are more malleable? I understand that the city may "finish the block" but what about removing specific properties from a TOA or designating a Tier 3 area as Tier 2 instead? Further, can the city create more than one land use designation that maps to a Tier? For example, perhaps a Tier 3 zone that emphasizes affordable housing vs. family infill housing or another that specifically recognizes areas of heritage merit? If yes, perhaps this could be a tool for the city to shape the TOAs to better align with community aspirations and the conditions of specific blocks.

Westie asked 27 days ago

Thank you for your patience, and for taking the time to share your questions. We have shared your feedback with the project team.
The City does not have the ability to remove the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Area designation from properties identified through Provincial legislation. However, one of the key areas we explored through recent community engagement was how to best adjust the edges of TOD areas to reflect our local conditions (such as slopes) and existing building context. The City also consulted the community on whether lower density residential uses, like infill housing and townhouses, should also be permitted within TOD areas. Height and density regulations aside, all relevant City policies continue to apply within TOD Areas. For example, properties in Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area that are listed as ‘Protected (Advanced) Properties’ are not affected by the legislation.
Affordable housing, family friendly housing, and heritage assets and values continue to be City priorities that are protected and expanded on through different policy tools, such as our Affordable Housing Acceleration Initiative, the Family Friendly Housing Policy, and the various Heritage Protection tools which remain at the City’s disposal, and would work jointly with the new regulations from the Province.

transit oriented development
transit oriented development
Share We need to be realistic that cars aren't going anywhere, because people still need to move around the region, even if they aren't driving to the local grocery store. 1 off-street parking space per unit seems insufficient when there are many families with more than one vehicle, plus any guests they may host. As we add more density, and inevitably more cars, our historic narrow roads are going to become increasingly challenging to navigate if parking for these cars is going to be forced onto the street. With that in mind, has any consideration been giving to *increasing* the required number of on-site parking spaces for the TOD Tier 2-3 and beyond areas? Alternatively, could the City consider some sort of creative solution for parking in higher density neighbourhoods, such as acquiring a lot that could be used for shared parking (could be paid with a subsidized monthly permit for residents)... a multi-level parking lot could be made to look more visually appealing and blend in with the neighbourhood through the use of public art and greenery, and the roof level could be used for a parklet, community gardens, or other similar shared amenity. This could shift extraneous household and visitor parking off-street to improve traffic flow, and may even solve issues of lost parking in areas with bike lanes and wider sidewalks where street parking has been reduced. on Facebook Share We need to be realistic that cars aren't going anywhere, because people still need to move around the region, even if they aren't driving to the local grocery store. 1 off-street parking space per unit seems insufficient when there are many families with more than one vehicle, plus any guests they may host. As we add more density, and inevitably more cars, our historic narrow roads are going to become increasingly challenging to navigate if parking for these cars is going to be forced onto the street. With that in mind, has any consideration been giving to *increasing* the required number of on-site parking spaces for the TOD Tier 2-3 and beyond areas? Alternatively, could the City consider some sort of creative solution for parking in higher density neighbourhoods, such as acquiring a lot that could be used for shared parking (could be paid with a subsidized monthly permit for residents)... a multi-level parking lot could be made to look more visually appealing and blend in with the neighbourhood through the use of public art and greenery, and the roof level could be used for a parklet, community gardens, or other similar shared amenity. This could shift extraneous household and visitor parking off-street to improve traffic flow, and may even solve issues of lost parking in areas with bike lanes and wider sidewalks where street parking has been reduced. on Twitter Share We need to be realistic that cars aren't going anywhere, because people still need to move around the region, even if they aren't driving to the local grocery store. 1 off-street parking space per unit seems insufficient when there are many families with more than one vehicle, plus any guests they may host. As we add more density, and inevitably more cars, our historic narrow roads are going to become increasingly challenging to navigate if parking for these cars is going to be forced onto the street. With that in mind, has any consideration been giving to *increasing* the required number of on-site parking spaces for the TOD Tier 2-3 and beyond areas? Alternatively, could the City consider some sort of creative solution for parking in higher density neighbourhoods, such as acquiring a lot that could be used for shared parking (could be paid with a subsidized monthly permit for residents)... a multi-level parking lot could be made to look more visually appealing and blend in with the neighbourhood through the use of public art and greenery, and the roof level could be used for a parklet, community gardens, or other similar shared amenity. This could shift extraneous household and visitor parking off-street to improve traffic flow, and may even solve issues of lost parking in areas with bike lanes and wider sidewalks where street parking has been reduced. on Linkedin Email We need to be realistic that cars aren't going anywhere, because people still need to move around the region, even if they aren't driving to the local grocery store. 1 off-street parking space per unit seems insufficient when there are many families with more than one vehicle, plus any guests they may host. As we add more density, and inevitably more cars, our historic narrow roads are going to become increasingly challenging to navigate if parking for these cars is going to be forced onto the street. With that in mind, has any consideration been giving to *increasing* the required number of on-site parking spaces for the TOD Tier 2-3 and beyond areas? Alternatively, could the City consider some sort of creative solution for parking in higher density neighbourhoods, such as acquiring a lot that could be used for shared parking (could be paid with a subsidized monthly permit for residents)... a multi-level parking lot could be made to look more visually appealing and blend in with the neighbourhood through the use of public art and greenery, and the roof level could be used for a parklet, community gardens, or other similar shared amenity. This could shift extraneous household and visitor parking off-street to improve traffic flow, and may even solve issues of lost parking in areas with bike lanes and wider sidewalks where street parking has been reduced. link

We need to be realistic that cars aren't going anywhere, because people still need to move around the region, even if they aren't driving to the local grocery store. 1 off-street parking space per unit seems insufficient when there are many families with more than one vehicle, plus any guests they may host. As we add more density, and inevitably more cars, our historic narrow roads are going to become increasingly challenging to navigate if parking for these cars is going to be forced onto the street. With that in mind, has any consideration been giving to *increasing* the required number of on-site parking spaces for the TOD Tier 2-3 and beyond areas? Alternatively, could the City consider some sort of creative solution for parking in higher density neighbourhoods, such as acquiring a lot that could be used for shared parking (could be paid with a subsidized monthly permit for residents)... a multi-level parking lot could be made to look more visually appealing and blend in with the neighbourhood through the use of public art and greenery, and the roof level could be used for a parklet, community gardens, or other similar shared amenity. This could shift extraneous household and visitor parking off-street to improve traffic flow, and may even solve issues of lost parking in areas with bike lanes and wider sidewalks where street parking has been reduced.

Ann asked about 1 month ago

Thank you for your patience and interest in creative solutions! We have shared your comment with the project team.
The changes introduced by the Province as part of the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Areas legislation prevents the City from requiring a minimum number off-street vehicle parking spaces in new residential developments within TOD Areas. Moving forward, the number of vehicle parking spaces included in new residential developments in TOD Areas will be decided by the developer, and will likely vary from project-to-project based on their individual priorities and understanding of market demand for parking spaces. However, a minimum of accessible vehicle parking and bicycle parking spaces will still be required for new residential developments, and minimum vehicle off-street parking requirements will still apply to new commercial (e.g. a retail store) and institutional (e.g. a school) developments.
The City of New Westminster’s Master Transportation Plan, which was endorsed by Council in 2015, includes actions the City is taking to encourage reduced reliance on cars. This includes putting in place improved infrastructure for walking, cycling and rolling, and transit, with a focus on vulnerable road users like those who use mobility aids and wheelchairs. The City also has a focus on curbside management, which is impacted as more people seek to park on the street. This space is also needed for a variety of activities, including putting out garbage and recycling bins for pickup, bus stops, loading of passengers, and/or delivery services (e-commerce).

parking,transportation,transit oriented development
parking transportation transit oriented development
Share What is the City doing to push back on the disastrous policy to build 8-story towers in heritage neighbourhoods? on Facebook Share What is the City doing to push back on the disastrous policy to build 8-story towers in heritage neighbourhoods? on Twitter Share What is the City doing to push back on the disastrous policy to build 8-story towers in heritage neighbourhoods? on Linkedin Email What is the City doing to push back on the disastrous policy to build 8-story towers in heritage neighbourhoods? link

What is the City doing to push back on the disastrous policy to build 8-story towers in heritage neighbourhoods?

IPA asked about 1 month ago

Thank you for your patience, and for taking the time to share your question about the City's approach to development in heritage neighborhoods that overlap with Transit Oriented Development Areas.
A portion of the Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area overlaps with the Columbia Street Station Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Area, which was set by the Province in 2024. The City is legislatively required to implement the TOD Areas across the City.
Those properties in the Conservation Area that are listed as ‘Protected (Advanced) Properties’ are not affected by the Transit Oriented Development Area legislation.
All other residentially zoned properties in the Conservation Area are subject to the TOD Area regulations. This means the City must consider applications with building height and densities up to those set by the TOD Area regulations, and shown here. Development under the TOD Area regulations would likely require consolidation of a number of properties and, based on the typical minimum lot sizes needed to accommodate this size of development, opportunities to do this are likely limited. Any application made to the City would have to comply with the City’s development permit guidelines, and consider the guidelines of Conservation Area.

heritage,transit oriented development
heritage transit oriented development
Share In fairness to RS-1 homeowners in TOD tier 3, 400-800 meters, will the proposed infill housing initiative for New Westminster that is in keeping with the provincial SSMUH be available to these RS1 zoned properties in these TOD areas? on Facebook Share In fairness to RS-1 homeowners in TOD tier 3, 400-800 meters, will the proposed infill housing initiative for New Westminster that is in keeping with the provincial SSMUH be available to these RS1 zoned properties in these TOD areas? on Twitter Share In fairness to RS-1 homeowners in TOD tier 3, 400-800 meters, will the proposed infill housing initiative for New Westminster that is in keeping with the provincial SSMUH be available to these RS1 zoned properties in these TOD areas? on Linkedin Email In fairness to RS-1 homeowners in TOD tier 3, 400-800 meters, will the proposed infill housing initiative for New Westminster that is in keeping with the provincial SSMUH be available to these RS1 zoned properties in these TOD areas? link

In fairness to RS-1 homeowners in TOD tier 3, 400-800 meters, will the proposed infill housing initiative for New Westminster that is in keeping with the provincial SSMUH be available to these RS1 zoned properties in these TOD areas?

Dot asked about 1 month ago

Thank you for your patience! We appreciate you taking the time to submit your question.
This is one of the questions we’re looking for feedback on! The City is currently exploring the types of housing that should be permitted within the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Area land use designations of the Official Community Plan (OCP). Infill housing and townhouses are being considered both within and outside the TOD Areas, though we are also exploring whether the application process would be the same or different in both locations.
What do you think, should infill housing and townhouses be permitted close to SkyTrain Stations, or just apartments? We would love to chat with you and hear your thoughts at one of our upcoming engagement events! You can also take our online survey, which is available on the Be Heard page until Sunday, March 9.

transit oriented development,ssmuh,tod
transit oriented development ssmuh tod
Share I filled out your Survey, and wan struck, "none of the pictures showed accessibility in the housing plans" They all had stairs. My take away was that the City of New Westminster is promoting a livable space for adults with no strollers, bikes, canes and/or wheel chairs. It was very upsetting. on Facebook Share I filled out your Survey, and wan struck, "none of the pictures showed accessibility in the housing plans" They all had stairs. My take away was that the City of New Westminster is promoting a livable space for adults with no strollers, bikes, canes and/or wheel chairs. It was very upsetting. on Twitter Share I filled out your Survey, and wan struck, "none of the pictures showed accessibility in the housing plans" They all had stairs. My take away was that the City of New Westminster is promoting a livable space for adults with no strollers, bikes, canes and/or wheel chairs. It was very upsetting. on Linkedin Email I filled out your Survey, and wan struck, "none of the pictures showed accessibility in the housing plans" They all had stairs. My take away was that the City of New Westminster is promoting a livable space for adults with no strollers, bikes, canes and/or wheel chairs. It was very upsetting. link

I filled out your Survey, and wan struck, "none of the pictures showed accessibility in the housing plans" They all had stairs. My take away was that the City of New Westminster is promoting a livable space for adults with no strollers, bikes, canes and/or wheel chairs. It was very upsetting.

Thinkin asked about 1 month ago

Thank you for your patience and for sharing your feedback with us. We’ve shared your comment with the project team.
We want to apologize for not including images of housing with examples of accessibility features. We did not intend to give the impression that accessibility is not a concern for the City’s housing projects, and will make sure to be more thoughtful about this in our future consultation and other outreach.
The images shown in our survey were only a few examples specific to the questions provided about housing type and location, and do not represent the full range of considerations we are taking into account, including accessibility of the buildings, or the design guidelines that will apply to these programs.
In practice, the City carefully considers accessibility for all new developments to support inclusion and independence for everyone. One of the ways we enforce this is in our land use policy work, through the City’s Official Community Plan development permit guidelines and Zoning Bylaw, which focus on how housing (and other buildings and spaces) are built throughout the city. In particular, the City actively encourages barrier-free accessible entrances to support age- and family-friendly design principles and accommodate those with different mobility needs.
In the existing laneway house program, the City has incorporated flexibility in development permit guidelines to incentivize the creation of single storey accessible units that have functional plans for aging in place. For example, a larger site coverage (more square footage on the main level) is allowed within the lot when the building is accessible when compared to laneway houses that are not built to be accessible. We will explore similar accessibility considerations as we develop the new Infill Housing Program.

accessibility
accessibility
Share New Westminster is known by the builder community as being one of the most difficult, slow and costly cities is the Lower Mainland to get things built. I sincerely hope this initiative is a wholesale revamping of the department, where efficiencies need to be greatly improved. Not just because other levels of government have forced the issue in one aspect of the department. on Facebook Share New Westminster is known by the builder community as being one of the most difficult, slow and costly cities is the Lower Mainland to get things built. I sincerely hope this initiative is a wholesale revamping of the department, where efficiencies need to be greatly improved. Not just because other levels of government have forced the issue in one aspect of the department. on Twitter Share New Westminster is known by the builder community as being one of the most difficult, slow and costly cities is the Lower Mainland to get things built. I sincerely hope this initiative is a wholesale revamping of the department, where efficiencies need to be greatly improved. Not just because other levels of government have forced the issue in one aspect of the department. on Linkedin Email New Westminster is known by the builder community as being one of the most difficult, slow and costly cities is the Lower Mainland to get things built. I sincerely hope this initiative is a wholesale revamping of the department, where efficiencies need to be greatly improved. Not just because other levels of government have forced the issue in one aspect of the department. link

New Westminster is known by the builder community as being one of the most difficult, slow and costly cities is the Lower Mainland to get things built. I sincerely hope this initiative is a wholesale revamping of the department, where efficiencies need to be greatly improved. Not just because other levels of government have forced the issue in one aspect of the department.

pinhead asked about 1 month ago

Thank you for taking the time to share your comment. We’ve shared it with the project team. Here is their response:
In early 2023, the City started a comprehensive review of our development application process by working with a consultant to identify what improvements can be made to the process, and to ultimately increase efficiency and reduce approval timelines. This review also conducted to achieve one of the City Council’s Strategic Goals, building more homes faster.
The review was completed in summer 2024. Click here to access the July 8 Council report. The findings of the review were also presented to the Urban Development Institute, who were consulted throughout the review process. The City is implementing the findings of the review along with other programs (notably seven Housing Accelerator Fund initiatives, several of which are part of this Our City, Our Homes community engagement phase) to work towards our shared housing goals and meet community housing needs.
Share Province has identified five transit-oriented development areas in New Westminster at 22nd Street, New Westminster, Columbia, Sapperton, and Braid SkyTrain stations. These areas are now required to be designated for greater density. - what is the city of New Westminster doing to eliminate the honking of the trains passing by considering these condos are residential areas where families live and therefore deserve a noise free environment? How soon will the trains honking stop, specially in the Sapperton area where I live? on Facebook Share Province has identified five transit-oriented development areas in New Westminster at 22nd Street, New Westminster, Columbia, Sapperton, and Braid SkyTrain stations. These areas are now required to be designated for greater density. - what is the city of New Westminster doing to eliminate the honking of the trains passing by considering these condos are residential areas where families live and therefore deserve a noise free environment? How soon will the trains honking stop, specially in the Sapperton area where I live? on Twitter Share Province has identified five transit-oriented development areas in New Westminster at 22nd Street, New Westminster, Columbia, Sapperton, and Braid SkyTrain stations. These areas are now required to be designated for greater density. - what is the city of New Westminster doing to eliminate the honking of the trains passing by considering these condos are residential areas where families live and therefore deserve a noise free environment? How soon will the trains honking stop, specially in the Sapperton area where I live? on Linkedin Email Province has identified five transit-oriented development areas in New Westminster at 22nd Street, New Westminster, Columbia, Sapperton, and Braid SkyTrain stations. These areas are now required to be designated for greater density. - what is the city of New Westminster doing to eliminate the honking of the trains passing by considering these condos are residential areas where families live and therefore deserve a noise free environment? How soon will the trains honking stop, specially in the Sapperton area where I live? link

Province has identified five transit-oriented development areas in New Westminster at 22nd Street, New Westminster, Columbia, Sapperton, and Braid SkyTrain stations. These areas are now required to be designated for greater density. - what is the city of New Westminster doing to eliminate the honking of the trains passing by considering these condos are residential areas where families live and therefore deserve a noise free environment? How soon will the trains honking stop, specially in the Sapperton area where I live?

Alemap asked about 1 month ago

Thank you for your question. The City of New Westminster is committed to preventing trains from whistles across the city, but this is a long process because it requires cooperation from all the rail companies that operate in New Westminster, and assistance from other levels of government. As part of the process, the City has done safety reviews at all crossings. Each crossing comes with its own set of challenges and safety requirements, and the whistling can only stop after any required upgrades are made. For the latest updates and more information about the work to stop train whistles, visit newwestcity.ca/transportation/trains.

skytrain
skytrain
Share Will houses with current RS1 zoning that fall within tier 3 of Sapperton TOD area be included in the Infill Housing and Townhouse Accelerator Initiatives? Will that type of density be allowed? If not, why not? on Facebook Share Will houses with current RS1 zoning that fall within tier 3 of Sapperton TOD area be included in the Infill Housing and Townhouse Accelerator Initiatives? Will that type of density be allowed? If not, why not? on Twitter Share Will houses with current RS1 zoning that fall within tier 3 of Sapperton TOD area be included in the Infill Housing and Townhouse Accelerator Initiatives? Will that type of density be allowed? If not, why not? on Linkedin Email Will houses with current RS1 zoning that fall within tier 3 of Sapperton TOD area be included in the Infill Housing and Townhouse Accelerator Initiatives? Will that type of density be allowed? If not, why not? link

Will houses with current RS1 zoning that fall within tier 3 of Sapperton TOD area be included in the Infill Housing and Townhouse Accelerator Initiatives? Will that type of density be allowed? If not, why not?

Dot asked about 1 month ago

Thank you for your patience. That is one of the questions we’re looking for feedback on! The City is currently exploring the types of housing that should be permitted within the Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Area land use designations of the Official Community Plan (OCP). Infill housing and townhouses is being considered both within and outside the TOD areas, though we are exploring whether the application process would be the same or different in both locations.
What do you think, should infill housing and townhouses be permitted close to Skytrain Stations, or just apartments? We would love to chat with you and hear your thoughts at one of our upcoming engagement events ! You can also take our online survey, which is available on the Be Heard page until Sunday, March 9.

official community plan,tod,infill,townhouse
official community plan tod infill townhouse
Share Why was so much of Queens Park and Brow of the Hill excluded from the townhouse strategies? These seem like the ideal locations for more dense housing - close to transit and services. Queens Park in particular has wonderful green space, services, and recreational facilities that should be walking distance for more people with lower incomes! on Facebook Share Why was so much of Queens Park and Brow of the Hill excluded from the townhouse strategies? These seem like the ideal locations for more dense housing - close to transit and services. Queens Park in particular has wonderful green space, services, and recreational facilities that should be walking distance for more people with lower incomes! on Twitter Share Why was so much of Queens Park and Brow of the Hill excluded from the townhouse strategies? These seem like the ideal locations for more dense housing - close to transit and services. Queens Park in particular has wonderful green space, services, and recreational facilities that should be walking distance for more people with lower incomes! on Linkedin Email Why was so much of Queens Park and Brow of the Hill excluded from the townhouse strategies? These seem like the ideal locations for more dense housing - close to transit and services. Queens Park in particular has wonderful green space, services, and recreational facilities that should be walking distance for more people with lower incomes! link

Why was so much of Queens Park and Brow of the Hill excluded from the townhouse strategies? These seem like the ideal locations for more dense housing - close to transit and services. Queens Park in particular has wonderful green space, services, and recreational facilities that should be walking distance for more people with lower incomes!

moveNW_3 asked about 1 month ago

Thank you for your comment and your interest in townhouses in New Westminster.
This is the type of feedback we are looking for! We’d love to chat with you about housing in New Westminster including townhouses at one of the upcoming engagement events (more details available on the Be Heard project page) to make sure your thoughts are included in the process and reporting to Council. The online survey is also open on the Be Heard page until March 9, Sunday, in case you have not completed it yet.
To answer your question, find below some more information on what has guided our work in those two neighbourhoods:
The Queen’s Park neighbourhood has many historic buildings and other heritage assets which are protected by a Heritage Conservation Area, and they cannot be demolished because of this. However, townhouses can be designed to fit respectfully in heritage areas and/or next to historic properties. Townhouse development often requires multiple lots, as opposed to housing that can usually be built on one lot like single detached houses. The Queen’s Park neighbourhood does not have many locations with multiple lots in a row that can be easily redeveloped together. If enough lots in the neighbourhood were to become available for townhouses, the development would likely be managed through a Heritage Revitalization Agreement. These agreements allow for more design control and flexibility in building regulations to better work with the existing heritage or character features of the buildings and neighbourhood. Opportunities for infill housing (such as multiplexes) are being considered in the Queen’s Park neighbourhood, which could increase the opportunities for housing choice, including through both new builds and historic conversions.
Based on past engagement, Brow of the Hill has not been identified as a primary area for townhouses. Similar to the Queen’s Park neighbourhood, this area has a lot of historic buildings. Also, previously, we heard from community members that there is a desire to prioritize infill housing in the Brow of the Hill neighbourhood as they felt infill housing would be the right fit amongst the existing apartment buildings. However, if there are locations between apartments which you think could be a good fit for the townhouse form, we are keen to hear about them!

townhouse,infill,queens park,brow of the hill
townhouse infill queens park brow of the hill

Page last updated: 12 Mar 2025, 12:30 PM

Our City, Our Homes

What's Next?

Past Engagement Opportunities

What's Next?

Past Engagement Opportunities

Ask a Question

What is the City doing to push back on the disastrous policy to build 8-story towers in heritage neighbourhoods?

In fairness to RS-1 homeowners in TOD tier 3, 400-800 meters, will the proposed infill housing initiative for New Westminster that is in keeping with the provincial SSMUH be available to these RS1 zoned properties in these TOD areas?

I filled out your Survey, and wan struck, "none of the pictures showed accessibility in the housing plans" They all had stairs. My take away was that the City of New Westminster is promoting a livable space for adults with no strollers, bikes, canes and/or wheel chairs. It was very upsetting.

Will houses with current RS1 zoning that fall within tier 3 of Sapperton TOD area be included in the Infill Housing and Townhouse Accelerator Initiatives? Will that type of density be allowed? If not, why not?

Signup Banner

Project Timeline

Winter 2023

Spring 2024

Summer 2024

February-March 2025

April-May 2025

June 2025

Summer 2025

Winter 2025

Summer 2026

Open House Information Boards

Links to learn more:

Who's Listening