Redeveloping vs. Preserving Communities (Cont'd)

Oakridge Centre

Oakridge Centre is another shopping centre that is in the midst of planning a major expansion as a result of the Canada Line. The Oakridge Centre Policy Planning Program is more of a long-term plan, as planning and development is aimed at guiding the growth of the centre for the next 20 years. There are plans to transform the mall into a type of “neighbourhood centre”, similar to Brentwood Town Centre, in order to better serve local residents, unlike Metrotown, which is designed to sustain a large residential and commercial population. This means plans for a mixed-use site, combining retail, work, residential, community and entertainment together.

Current plans call for the approximately 1.2 million square feet of residential property in low-, mid- and highrise forms, to be built where the mall’s current outdoor parking lot is located, along with increased public space (green space, parks, plazas etc.), all of which will be environmentally sustainable, transit-oriented, and pedestrian-friendly.

From the Oakridge Centre Policy Planning Program:
http://www.vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20041021/pe4.htm
This report responds to development aspirations of the Oakridge Centre owners for mixed use expansion by recommending a program to develop land use and urban design options for Council consideration based on development of schematic concepts which respect sustainable City planning objectives to achieve a vital neighbourhood centre, balance neighbourhood and district serving commercial activities and integrate with and reinforce the surrounding urban structure. This program would determine new policies needed to achieve a more complete re-planning of the Oakridge Centre and respond to the introduction of the RAV Line. A second phase of the program would assess potential rezoning applications in the context of that new policy framework.

While the full extent of development potential will be determined through the Policy Development process currently being requested of Council, it is anticipated that there will be a proposed significant increase in retail, commercial office, residential and amenity uses on the Oakridge site. While Oakridge is a vital retail center at present - it has aspirations to continue to evolve. Over the next 20 years, there is an expectation that the Oakridge Centre site will come under increasing pressure to become a much more sustainable mixed-use urban Neighbourhood Centre, absorbing future demands for mixed use development.

Design principles include:
· A finer grain of development organized around an urban structure of streets and enhanced public realm;
· A varied mix of residential, commercial and community uses;
· Elements contributing to a sense of place;
· Development patterns which can evolve;
· A rich, varied and urban public realm;
· Improved neighbourhood fit;
· Sustainability; and
· Transit orientation.