Referral Report 1 — Hastings Street Building Lines

Motion 7 · Council Meeting, January 31, 2023

On Consent Location Hastings Street, North Side, from Cassiar Street to Boundary Road

Summary

Staff propose reducing the building line (the setback area where development cannot occur) on the north side of East Hastings Street from Cassiar Street to Boundary Road from 4.3 m to 1.2 m, with the 1.2 m portion dedicated as road allowance to improve the pedestrian environment.
The original 4.3 m building line was established in 1993 to reserve space for potential left-turn bays in case the Skeena Tunnel closed as part of the Cassiar Connector project; since the tunnel was not closed, the full setback is no longer needed.
A consistent, smaller building line across all three blocks will allow development sites along this stretch to be used more efficiently, without requiring individual property owners to seek Council approval each time they redevelop.
This approach is consistent with a 2014 Council decision that already reduced the building line to 1.2 m for a single site at 388 Skeena Street to enable a mixed-use rental project.
The amendment has no direct financial cost to the City, but is expected to streamline the development permit process for both property owners and City staff.
The item is being referred to a Public Hearing before any bylaw changes are enacted.