The UNA’s board of directors was given a preview of UBC’s planning process for Wesbrook Place south during their October monthly meeting.
The new area, located in south campus and opposite Collings Field and Nobel Park, will be one of several focal points as UBC carries through with its Campus Vision 2050 plan, which aims to double the population of campus. Under the plan, the number of campus residents is expected to increase to 35,700 by 2050.
Comprising roughly nine hectares, Wesbrook Place South represents approximately one fifth of the total Wesbrook Place area.
Under Campus Vision 2050, the neighbourhood has been extended south to the northern boundary of TRIUMF particle accelerator centre, absorbing an existing treed area where the university is planning to establish an ecological park that will preserve trees that were recently assessed to be of high value.
UBC planners say Wesbrook South will include homes for 4,600 people, increasing the entire university neighbourhoods’ population from 12,500 to over 16,000 residents.
New development will include towers of up to 39 storeys and midrise buildings up to six storeys. An additional 30,000 square feet of retail space and one daycare facility is also included in the plan.
During the Oct. 15 board meeting, Joanne Proft, Associate Director, Campus and Community Planning, told directors the university has organized a public consultation process that will allow community members to participate in the planning process.
That process began on Nov. 2 with an open house at Wesbrook Community Centre and will be followed up with scheduled workshops and walking tours this month.
Proft said UBC is hoping to receive input on building types, layouts, and public spaces from residents, while taking into account UBC’s Campus Vision 2050 targets for the number of homes to be built.
“Hopefully we are going to get a lot of good input into this process from the neighbourhood,” she said.
“We have about 30,000 square feet of retail, commercial and amenity space that we want to accommodate in the in the neighbourhood in addition to childcare. We want to understand how to arrange that and what types of amenities the community is looking for.”
Director Fei Liu, who has recently moved from the university neighbourhoods and is no longer a member of the UNA board, asked Proft how residents can be assured their input is being heard and will be considered by planners.
In response, Proft said: “As part of this engagement, we really want to be sure we are being transparent about how input is being used, recognizing that we may not be able to reflect all the input into the updated plan.”
“We want to make sure we are reflecting that that input was received, and if it resulted in a change to the plan, or if it shaped the plan, we will show that. And conversely, if it didn’t, we will explain why,” she added.
Proft said UBC would brief the next UNA board once this month’s elections have concluded.
An updated draft of the Wesbrook Place Neighbourhood Plan is expected to be completed by next March, with a final, updated plan delivered in June to UBC’s board of governors for approval.
Splash Pad Shade
During the October meeting, UNA staff revealed the association has received a $7500 grant from the Canadian Dermatology Association to be put towards the building of a shading structure in a grass area beside the Wesbrook Splash Pad.
Staff said the structure will provide relief from the sun and heat for summer program and camp participants, as well as community members.
Construction is planned to commence mid-November.
EMMANUEL SAMOGLOU IS THE MANAGING EDITOR OF THE CAMPUS RESIDENT.