Council gives go ahead for enhanced planning and engagement process                                          

A planning process for the rezoning and future development on a 5.2-hectare (12.85-acre) area connected to Whistler Village has been initiated with the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) following Council approval at their Regular Meeting on March 16. The mostly undeveloped, privately-owned lands have a prominent location just north of Whistler Village and present a significant opportunity for the resort community to shape the last remaining large development parcel in the Village.

The RMOW will be seeking community input over the coming months through an enhanced process that will guide the consideration of the rezoning. A collaborative, iterative process involving the community, stakeholders, Council and the land owner will consider several key factors over a roughly 18-month timeframe:

• How do we want to complement the core Village area?
• What are our collective principles and priorities?
• How can this project advance or contribute to priorities like livability, social inclusion and climate action?
• What is the look and feel of this next step in Village development?

“This is an opportunity to look at the future of the Village area and how the composition of development on these lands can help to fulfil that vision,” said General Manager of Resort Experience Jessie Gresley-Jones. “We will be working with the community to look at things like how to potentially create new housing and community amenities within walking distance of shops, services, the employment center, and the Village core.”

The community is encouraged to participate in upcoming opportunities to provide ideas and input about this important project in Whistler Village.

The process
Building upon key municipal policies, such as the updated Official Community Plan, up-front community engagement will establish new site-specific guiding principles and objectives with respect to land use, density, height, built form and character, transportation, public benefits, transportation and sustainability. This will provide a clear framework from which to consider alternative development concepts as well as potential amenities to serve the new development and the broader community.

Community engagement and input opportunities are identified to occur at key points in the process along with regular Council updates and decision points.

Background
The lands were initially granted development rights for a substantial resort in 1990 through a proposal call by the municipality for developments that would deliver amenities that contributed to achieving Whistler’s vision as a world class, four season destination resort community. Following some approved modifications to the zoning in 1998, further development concepts were initiated over the years but never brought to completion. The site has remained undeveloped except for the existing tennis facility. The Village area and community has evolved and grown significantly since the original zoning and this planning process is intended to build alignment with today’s needs.

The portion of the lands proposed for rezoning and future development is located at 4500 Northlands Boulevard and 4711 Settebello Drive (being referred to collectively as 4500 Northlands) and is made up of two parcels totalling approximately 5.2 hectares (12.85 acres). The large parcel on the other side of the road, 4700 Blackcomb Way, has the same owner and has previously been established as a conservation area that will remain undeveloped.

View the March 16 Council presentation and learn more at whistler.ca/4500Northlands.