PITT MEADOWS, BC – Last night, Council endorsed the revised North Lougheed Study Area (NLSA) Land Use Plan and development policies that were drafted with input from extensive public and stakeholder engagement.
“The NLSA is a critical development for our community in terms of homes, jobs, services, and taxes,” said Mayor Bill Dingwall. “Our vision is to create a cohesive mixed-use community development that complements the stunning vistas towards the farmlands and mountains and incorporates transit-oriented residential and employment areas with extensive open green space.”
On July 7, staff returned to Council with a revised land use plan and accompanying development policies based on recommendations from Council on May 26.
“I would like to commend staff on the important work they have done to date on the NLSA and recognize the valuable feedback provided by the community, the Katzie First Nation, land owners and other stakeholders to help shape the future of this area to provide long-term benefits to the entire community,” says Chief Administrative Officer Mark Roberts.
The City will now apply for an amendment to Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) to accommodate the new land use plan. As part of that process, the City will also need to amend the Official Community Plan (OCP) to incorporate the land use plan and development policies.
North Lougheed Study Area (NLSA)
Development in the area now identified as the NLSA has been discussed and supported by various Councils since the 1980s. The aim of the recent NLSA planning process was to develop a new land use plan and associated policies for the area to address the community’s needs and goals, and adapt to changes in the real estate market.
The land use plan will guide creation of a cohesive mixed-used community development (including residential and other employment uses) on the north side of Lougheed Highway that is close to transit.
Plans also include: the calming of Old Dewdney Trunk Road to reduce traffic volumes, safety and traffic improvements to the Lougheed Highway and construction of the North Lougheed Connector with the goal of reducing congestion and improving traffic flow for both Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
Next Steps
This is a significant milestone for the NLSA. The next steps for the City are to:
- apply to Metro Vancouver to amend the RGS, Metro 2040, to incorporate the NLSA—this is required to incorporate the NLSA into the City’s regional urban containment boundary and urban centre boundary, and to change the regional land use designations for the area;
- amend the City’s existing OCP and Regional Context Statement to include the new NLSA land use plan, land use designations and development policies—a public hearing will be required for this OCP amendment; and
- incorporate the NLSA plan, land use designations and policies into the final draft of the new OCP—a final round of public engagement for the new OCP is expected to be completed this fall.
Once the RGS and OCP have been amended, the City will work with the community, stakeholders and external agencies to address Agricultural Land Commission exclusion conditions for the planning area.
For more information, visit pittmeadows.ca/NLSA.
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For more information please contact:
Carolyn Baldridge
Manager of Communications & Community Engagement
City of Pitt Meadows
cbaldridge@pittmeadows.ca