Evergreen and Grand Commercial Corridors Strategy Implementation
The Evergreen and Grand Commercial Corridors Strategy aims to improve livability, by creating a more walkable neighborhood where local businesses can thrive. The vision of the Strategy is to promote equitable and diverse corridor development that is vibrant, sustainable and mixed use, and to foster development that recognizes and builds upon the neighborhood’s unique setting, history and character. Development code language to implement the Evergreen and Grand Commercial Corridors Strategy is being considered for adoption this summer. The code development process has included community outreach, including a public open house and a developer focus group to share code concepts and gather community input. Following adoption of new code standards, the next phase of work will focus on economic development, community building, and transportation improvements, and will occur over the next several years. To guide this work, an implementation plan has been created.
The City Council will consider adopting code language for the Evergreen and Grand Commercial Corridors Overlay District on Nov. 6:
- City Council Public Hearing: 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, at City Hall (415 W 6th Street).
We invite you to submit comments or register to testify by clicking on the Public Participation tab on the City Council webpage.
The City of Vancouver embarked on a community planning process for the Evergreen and Grand study area that was intended to support neighborhood livability and create a walkable environment where businesses can thrive.
The Strategy was refined through outreach and engagement efforts, including gathering community and stakeholder feedback that helped to identify priorities for future development of the corridors, establish a long-term community vision, and refine recommendations to achieve the vision and goals. The project team also held workshops with the Planning Commission and City Council at key milestones to review and provide feedback throughout the process.
The vision of the Strategy is to promote equitable and diverse corridor development that is vibrant, sustainable and mixed use while fostering development that recognizes and builds upon the neighborhood’s unique setting, history, and character.
The Vancouver City Council adopted the strategy on Feb. 28, 2022 to help guide future zoning code text changes and other land use, community development and transportation implementation steps. The project team has started the process of drafting development regulations and additional implementation measures that reflect the vision included in the strategy document. Materials that City staff presented at a Planning Commission workshop on Feb. 14, 2023, can be found here.
Click on the following links to access the current Plan and Appendices.
Development code concepts have been developed based on an in-depth audit of existing conditions—both on the ground via a physical site inventory and through detailed review of existing code and policy documents. They respond to the existing character and context of the corridor. Development code concepts became an overlay district, through refinement based on feedback from the Planning Commission, stakeholders, and the community.
Click on the following link to access the draft overlay district language.
The full extent of the vision outlined in the Evergreen and Grand Commercial Corridors Strategy requires both development code regulations and other longer-term programmatic investments. The Evergreen and Grand Implementation Plan has been drafted to guide the work that falls outside the purview of the development code and is intended to guide ongoing City investments while also bringing in key partners like neighborhood associations, businesses and technical assistance providers, affordable housing developers, and the community at large. The tasks have been broken down to four main focus areas including housing and economic development, urban design, mobility, and parking, as outlined below. All will require resources to implement in the coming years.
Click on the following link to access the draft implementation plan.
Who's Listening
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Phone 360-487-7946 Email Bryan.Snodgrass@cityofvancouver.us