Curtains for protected views? Vancouver may end view cones to make room for housing – BC [Video]

The City of Vancouver is looking at bringing additional housing to neighbourhoods but it may come at the expense of some beautiful views.

Vancouver city council will review a staff report that explores removing protected views so more housing can be built.

“View cones” have been a critical feature of Vancouver’s development policy since 1989.

The cones were designed to preserve ocean and mountain views for specific locations within the city, and have limited the size and location of construction projects.

View cones limit the height and shape of buildings at places such as Commercial Drive, Main Street and Trout Lake.

The report is suggesting relaxing select view cones in the city, which could add between 108 million square feet to 215 million square feet of floor space for future housing, offices and hotels.

The biggest proposed change is for the view cone at Queen Elizabeth Park. The staff report is recommending reducing the …