Preserving views

When a development site is surrounded by the natural beauty of mountains and ocean, there are bound to be concerns over how views will be impacted. Fortunately, a key benefit of constructing master-planned communities is the ability to plan holistically and respond to these sensitivities, while at the same time not sacrificing the project’s viability. 

Right from the beginning, preservation of views has been an important consideration in the Harbourside planning process. Along the way these plans have evolved in response to what was learned through the extensive community consultation process. The team heard that area residents, as well as businesses within Harbourside Business Park, were concerned that new buildings could encroach on their waterfront views. There was also concern from users of the Kings Mill Walk park, previously constructed and donated to the City by Concert in conjunction with the Harbourside Business Park, regarding preservation of mountain views. Here’s how these concerns were addressed in the team’s plan for Harbourside.

Cap building height

• Building heights have been prescribed in the approved Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment. The majority of proposed buildings are subject to a maximum height of seven stories, while up to four buildings would be limited to nine storeys.

Strategic building orientation

• Proposed buildings and internal roads are oriented north-south to minimize impact on views to the mountains for park users as well as to the ocean and downtown Vancouver skyline for neighbouring residents. 
• A north-south building orientation also has sustainability benefits; more details to follow in next week’s post focusing on sustainability. 
• Strategic “splaying” of the proposed buildings serves to preserve key view vantage points; ocean views for those driving into Harbourside on the Fell Avenue overpass and views of the North Shore mountains for pedestrians at the Fell Plaza gathering point, as well as those on the new Lions Lane pedestrian path through the site.  

Click here to check out view study diagrams

With a comprehensive plan in place to minimize the community’s impact on views, Concert’s vision for a dynamic mixed-use community with a unique sense of place is that much closer to a reality.