This OCP is a guide to help District Councils, stakeholders, and citizens effect positive change over a twenty-year time horizon. It includes policies that impact a broad range of municipal affairs. Implementation of those policies will occur through a number of specific plans and bylaws.

Bylaws enacted and works undertaken by the District after the adoption of the OCP must be consistent with the OCP. In this way the OCP can be thought of as a policy framework, or “umbrella document,” that provides ongoing guidance to municipal decision-making and operations.

The plan was developed as an Integrated Sustainable Community Plan to provide a comprehensive policy framework that aligns social, environmental and economic planning to ensure a bright and sustainable future for the District. All of the area within the boundaries of the District of North Vancouver is covered by this OCP other than lands that are not subject to municipal jurisdiction.​

What is an official community plan?

An Official Community Plan (OCP) is a statement of objectives and policies that support a municipality’s long-term vision. Authority to adopt an OCP is set out in the Local Government Act. The Act requires that an OCP include certain land use statements and designations such as where residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and parkland uses are located, as well as policies for the provision of affordable, rental and special needs housing and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The legislation also enables municipalities to include policies that speak to a broad range of issues including transportation, the natural environment, parks and recreation, social services and financial resiliency

Creating the plan

This Official Community Plan is the culmination of a two-year community engagement initiative called Identity DNV 2030 and would not have been possible without the extensive participation of the public and stakeholders.

Through a combination of over seventy-five open houses, public and stakeholder workshops, coffee shop talks, town hall meetings, charrettes, telephone, online and event surveys, almost 5,000 voices shared their vision for the future of the community and contributed their ideas on how to get there. 

Key issues to address in planning for the future

Initial plan development began with an inventory of existing conditions in the District and an analysis of the challenges facing us. Over the course of the public engagement process, certain issues and trends emerged. Policy statements contained in this Plan are designed to address those issues and their implications by proactively managing change in a way that enables us to preserve and enhance what is loved most about the District.

Here are some of the key issues that this plan seeks to address:

• Challenging demographic profile — Over the past 30 years the number of seniors (65+) residing in the District has increased fourfold, while a 'missing generation' of adults 20-40 means fewer residents to drive the economy and start families
• Lack of housing diversity and affordability — As much as 70% of housing in the District is in the form of detached homes, which is expensive and presents a barrier to first-time buyers and seniors
• Loss of economic vibrancy — The District lost about 1,000 jobs between 1996 and 2006 at a time when the Metro Vancouver region gained around 150,000 jobs, leading to fewer chances for residents to work close to home
• Large environmental footprint — Our spread out land use pattern of predominantly detached homes is costly and inefficient to serve with transit and often means residents are unable to walk to the shops and services they need. 
• Social issues — There is an increasing gap between the rich and poor, with over 10,000 of our residents (about 12% of the population) living in low income households, while or homeless population has tripled from 44 in 2002 to 127 in 2008
• Aging municipal infrastructure and financial challenges — Most of the District’s infrastructure was built in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, which means rising maintenance and replacement costs. 

Our vision, principles, and goals

In December 2009 Council endorsed a compelling 20-year vision, the principles to guide decision-making towards that vision, and the specific goals to make it happen.

Vision for 2030

The District of North Vancouver: Inspired by nature, enriched by people

Guiding principals

The OCP is guided by these principles which, collectively, provide a decision-making framework to support the realization of the Plan’s vision and the implementation of the Plan’s goals.

1. Active leadership — The District embraces opportunities and addresses challenges proactively, recognizing the key role of local government in defining its community.
2. Accountability and responsible governance — The District engages its residents continually, seeking open and transparent input into its decision-making, while demonstrating fiscal accountability through prudent management of our shared assets.
3. Sustainability for future generations — The District balances the environmental, social, cultural and economic needs of the community and is committed to its role in the stewardship of all that is valued for future generations.
4. Collaboration and partnerships — The District recognizes the necessity and value of collaborating with Federal, Provincial, municipal and First Nation governments as well as agencies, educational institutions, social service organizations, and businesses. 12 AMENDED OCTOBER 29, 2018 DNV Official Community Plan | Introduction

Goals

Together with the vision and Principles, these goals inform the policies, strategies and targets developed for the District of North Vancouver Official Community Plan:

1. Create a network of vibrant, mixed-use centres while enhancing the character of our neighbourhoods and protecting natural areas
2. Encourage and enable a diverse mix of housing type, tenure and affordability to accommodate the lifestyles and needs of people at all stages of life
3. Foster a safe, socially inclusive and supportive community that enhances the health and well-being of all residents
4. Support a diverse and resilient local economy that provides quality employment opportunities
5. Provide a safe, efficient and accessible network of pedestrian, bike and road ways and enable viable alternatives to the car through effective and coordinated land use and transportation planning
6. Conserve the ecological integrity of our natural environment, while providing for diverse park and outdoor recreational opportunities
7. Develop an energy-efficient community that reduces its greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on nonrenewable fuels while adapting to climate change
8. Provide infrastructure to support community health, safety and economic prosperity, and facilities that enhance recreational opportunities, cultural activity and artistic expression

Strategic directions

With Council’s endorsement of the Vision, Principles and Goals in December 2009, Identity DNV 2030 transitioned from asking what we want for the future of the community to exploring policies for how to make it happen. After thirty public and stakeholder themed policy workshops, four strategic directions for the future of the community emerged:

1. Plan for a more balanced and diverse population — Facilitate diverse housing choices and vibrant, age-friendly communities with a range of facilities and services
2. Create more complete, compact, and connected communities — Establish a network of connected town and village centres that support effective transit, walking and cycling; and focus growth and renewal in four key centres: Lynn Valley and Lower Lynn Town Centres and Maplewood and Lower Capilano-Marine Village Centres
3. Reduce our environmental footprint — Conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through compact, connected and “green” communities; and encourage the protection and enhancement of our natural systems
4. Become more economically dynamic and sustainable — Encourage the protection, intensification and diversification of our employment lands, and a customer-oriented and business-friendly environment These strategic directions, the Making Choices community forums in June 2010, and the workshops, meetings and open houses held on iterative drafts of the OCP from fall 2010 to spring 2011, shaped the objectives and the policies of the Plan.

The plan at a glance

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