Vancouver Council Approves Plan to Add 10,000 Homes and 8,000 Jobs Near Rupert and Renfrew Stations

Vancouver city council has unanimously approved a bold new land-use plan that will reshape the Rupert and Renfrew neighbourhoods with highrises, housing, and revitalized community infrastructure over the next 25 years.

The Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan, approved Tuesday, outlines a path for adding more than 10,000 new homes and increasing the local population by over 60 per cent—from 31,000 to nearly 50,000 residents—by 2050.

City staff say the area, anchored by two SkyTrain stations, is currently underutilized for its transit potential. Towers as tall as 45 storeys will be permitted near the stations, with up to 26 storeys allowed further out. Around 80 per cent of current homes are single-family dwellings, and only 10 per cent are rentals.

“This is a chance to finally unlock the potential of this neighbourhood,” said chief planner Josh White. “The SkyTrain infrastructure has been here for more than two decades, but density and development haven’t kept pace.”

The plan aims to address that by creating a walkable “complete community” — mixing high-density towers with “villages” of six-storey buildings and multiplexes to support missing-middle housing.

Coun. Peter Meiszner said the plan balances growth with affordability and livability. “There’ll be more open space, a strong focus on rental and below-market housing, and a neighbourhood identity rooted in local culture and values.”

Major Infrastructure Investments

The city has earmarked $1.2 billion over the next decade to fund infrastructure and public amenities tied to the plan. Key projects include:

• Daylighting and widening Still Creek, one of the city’s last salmon-bearing streams, to reduce flood risk

• New childcare spaces, park upgrades, and housing

• A renewal of Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House

• Restrictions on underground parking near Still Creek to protect the ecosystem

In addition to housing, the plan carves out zones for employment-focused development, including offices, labs, hotels, and light industrial uses, with a projected 8,000 new jobs expected to follow.

Several culturally and historically important areas — such as the Italian Cultural Centre, Akali Singh Sikh Society, and Kaslo Gardens Co-ops — have been marked as "unique sites" requiring specialized policies to preserve community character.

With the plan now approved, developers are expected to begin submitting rezoning applications aligned with the new guidelines.