UBC enters second phase of consultations on plans to preserve UBC Farm, improve housing options

Events: Phase two of UBC campus Land Use Plan consultations

Online: Sept. 28 – Oct. 15

Open House: Oct. 7, 4-7 p.m., Acadia Park, Commons Area,
2707 Tennis Crescent

Workshop 1: Oct. 13, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Student Union Building, Ballroom,
6138 Student Union Blvd

Workshop 2: Oct. 13, 6-9 p.m., Tapestry, Wesbrook Village,
3338 Wesbrook Mall

Workshop 3: Oct. 14, 6-9 p.m., West Point Grey United Church,
4595 West 8th Ave., Vancouver

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The public is invited to participate in the second phase of consultations for UBC’s Land Use Plan which establishes general land uses and policies for the university’s 1,000-acre Vancouver campus.

[Editors: To attend events or interview Nancy Knight, Associate Vice President, UBC Campus and Community Planning, please contact Basil Waugh, UBC Public Affairs at 604.822.2048]

UBC is proposing changes to the Land Use Plan to support the university’s academic mission and its vision of creating a model university community that is vibrant, livable and sustainable.

The changes reflect a decision by the UBC Board of Governors to preserve the UBC Farm with a globally significant academic plan and by transferring previously allotted housing density elsewhere on campus. Proposed amendments include:

  • Changing UBC Farm’s land use designation from “Future Housing Reserve” to “Green Academic” to support continued teaching, research and innovation in sustainability at the Farm
  • Transferring housing density from the UBC Farm and other areas to create a more sustainable campus community
  • Increasing campus housing options and affordability
  • Regularizing land use designations to better align with UBC’s mission and vision

The public is invited to learn more about proposed LUP amendments and provide feedback online from Sept. 27-Oct. 15 or at four public events between Oct. 7 and 14 (see details above). This will be the last opportunity to provide feedback before a public hearing in late 2010/early 2011, which will be held in accordance with provincial legislation.

After the public hearing in late 2010/early 2011, UBC’s Board of Governors will propose amendments to the Minister of Community and Rural Development, who, in consultation with the Minister of Advanced Education, is responsible for final approval of land use amendments.

Visit the UBC Land Use Plan consultation website: www.planning.ubc.ca/vancouver_home/consultations/landuseplan_intro.php

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BACKGROUNDER

UBC’s Official Community Plan was adopted as the university’s Land Use Plan with the recent passing of B.C. government’s Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act, which transferred oversight of UBC’s land use from Metro Vancouver to the Province.

Changes to the Land Use Plan are necessary to address issues the university community identified as obstacles to UBC’s mission and vision during the Vancouver Campus Plan consultation process, which occurred between 2006 and 2009. This is the first official review of the Land Use Plan since 2003.

UBC’s Board of Governors has adopted a set of principles to guide the amendment process, and to ensure an open and transparent public consultation process. Consultations are taking place in accordance with Part 10-2010 of the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act.

UBC’s Land Use Plan consultations began July 15 and will conclude in late 2010/early 2011. It includes six public events and two online consultations, in July and October, plus a public hearing in late 2010/early 2011. In July, more than 160 people attended consultation events and the consultation website received more than 110 unique views.

Amendments to the Land Use Plan will support UBC’s vision of a sustainable campus community and the university’s academic mission by:

  • Transforming from a commuter campus into a complete, sustainable community
  • Increasing campus housing options and affordability for faculty and staff to advance recruitment and retention
  • Creating opportunities to integrate teaching, learning, research and other academic activities
  • Building UBC’s financial endowment to support the university’s academic mission

Learn more at: www.planning.ubc.ca

Contact

Basil Waugh
UBC Public Affairs
Tel: 604.822.2048
basil.waugh@ubc.ca

Kera McArthur
Campus and Community Planning
604.822.8831
kera.mcarthur@ubc.ca

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