On Tuesday, January 6, Council heard the results of extensive community engagement on the proposed rezoning of 4500 Northlands Boulevard, which emphasizes residents’ desire to see affordable employee housing and a multi-use recreation facility as part of the project’s suite of potential community amenities.  

This is the last piece of private undeveloped land near Whistler Village, and the detailed summary of community engagement came from a wide variety of input on the project, including two developer-led events, the fall Add Your Voice municipal engagement tradeshow, Council committee meetings, and online questionnaires. The municipality also did targeted engagement with key community partners from the tourism, housing, development and hospitality sectors, including Tourism Whistler, the Whistler Housing Authority, One Whistler, the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, and the Hotel Association of Whistler.  

In 2021, Beedie Living Ltd. submitted a rezoning application for two parcels of land at 4500 Northlands Boulevard and 4711 Settebello Drive. The application is for a change in land use from the current hotel zoning to a project-specific residential zoning incorporating townhouse, low and mid-rise condominium development, commercial space and community-serving amenities like a public plaza, employee restricted housing, daycare, and a recreation facility.  

Given the size of the project, Council endorsed a three-phase enhanced rezoning process to create opportunities for extensive community engagement and feedback.  

This fall, the engagement asked community members what they value in their own neighbourhoods, and what they would like to see in this neighbourhood specifically, to help inform the developer’s Community Amenity Contribution (CAC). A CAC is a voluntary contribution offered by a rezoning applicant to offset the impact of the additional load on municipal services their project presents, typically in the form of in-kind or cash contributions.  

The main themes from this round of public engagement suggest a desire for: 

• indoor recreation space, on- or off-site, particularly with racquet sports facilities;  

• affordable employee housing, to support Whistler’s current and future workforce; 

• housing that meets the needs of Whistler in a range of unit sizes, including affordable options and options for seniors; 

• assurances the amenities provided are in appropriate locations and will be delivered early in the timeline of the development, for more immediate benefits; and 

• amenities that address the needs of the whole community, including childcare space and park improvements. 

Some additional comments considered the need for use-restricted housing catering to the tourism economy that promotes longer stays. Others mentioned tourism-related uses, like destination retail, commercial, and services among the items which could be of benefit.  

Over 50 people attended the meeting to hear the outcome of what they and their neighbours contributed.  

Council chose to amend the staff resolution, which suggested Council’s guidance lean into the breadth of amenities our community would welcome in any amenity contribution package, including multi-generational indoor recreation space, housing variety, and considerations around the look and feel of the neighbourhood itself. Their guidance is simply to let the developer know affordable employee housing and a multi-use recreation facility are the most important priorities.  

Council noted the final resolution offers clear priorities but does not prevent the inclusion of other additional assets in the amenity package and rezoning proposal. 

“The amendment, in my view, was really meant to emphasize what is most important, and I think I’m eager to see what comes back from the conversation with staff. Certainly, if it’s not on the list, it doesn’t mean we don’t want to see it come back if it’s something that makes sense for staff and the applicant,” said Mayor Jack Crompton. “This is a great site, this is a great project, this is a great development. I’m eager to get moving and I hope the direction we’ve given tonight provides clarity. Let’s go.”  

The applicant must now submit a rezoning proposal for the site, which will be reviewed against the project’s guiding principles, key directions, and the evaluation criteria established in Whistler’s Official Community Plan. The rezoning will return to a public meeting where Council can give direction to proceed with drafting the zoning bylaws.  

The applicant’s full rezoning package will include their development proposal for the site, including site plan, urban design, building types, sizes and locations, and building statistics, as well as the proposed construction phasing plan and CAC contribution timing.