History
A former industrial site reimagined as a complete community
The East Fraser Lands were once zoned for industrial use and home to the Canadian White Pine Sawmill until 2001, before being purchased by Wesgroup Properties and reimagined as a complete new community.
History
Industrial Past
East Fraser Lands, now known as the River District, occupies 128 acres of riverfront land in southeast Vancouver that was once a major industrial site. For much of the 20th century, this land was home to the Canadian White Pine Sawmill, one of British Columbia’s most prominent lumber mills. Originally operating alongside earlier mills like the Dominion Mill, the Canadian White Pine Mill became part of the MacMillan Bloedel forest products empire and played a key role in supplying timber for homes and industry across the region. The mill operated for nearly 80 years before closing in 2001, marking the end of an era in Vancouver’s forest industry.
Following the mill’s closure, a long-term transformation began. In 2002, Wesgroup Properties (then in partnership with ParkLane Homes) purchased the majority of the former sawmill site. A collaborative planning process involving Wesgroup, the City of Vancouver, and the community was launched to reimagine the land as a complete, sustainable neighbourhood.
History
Policy Context
Planning and development of the East Fraser Lands Official Development Plan (“EFL ODP”) has been underway since 2002. The original EFL ODP was adopted in 2006 and has guided development in the community since then, including land use, density, building height, public benefits, transportation, built form and character, sustainability and development phasing.
10-Year Review
In June 2017, Council endorsed a “10-Year Review” planning program to review the development of the EFL, which resulted in the approval of an updated Official Development Plan for the area in 2021, better responding to the local needs of today. Amendments to the EFL ODP are a necessary part of the planning process, ensuring the master-planned community evolves to meet changing needs, priorities, and city-wide goals.
After this extensive community consultation in 2017 and years of work between City Staff and Wesgroup, the following amendments were approved and adopted in 2021:
- Alignment with current City policy: The ODP has been updated to reflect new City policies adopted since 2006, including climate action and green building requirements.
- Additional housing capacity: The plan adds 422,442 sq. ft. in Area 1 and 1,123,303 sq. ft. in Area 3, supporting Council’s priority to expand housing options. This increase enables approximately 350 social housing units, 500 market rental units, and 1,000 market ownership units.
- Expanded amenities: To serve the growing population, the plan includes an additional 20 childcare spaces and 2 new acres of park space. Parks were identified as a top priority through public consultation.
Transfer of Community Centre
At a Public Hearing on July 12, 2022, responsibility for delivering the East Fraser Lands community centre was formally transferred from the City of Vancouver to Wesgroup, addressing City funding constraints. Under this arrangement, Wesgroup manages the design and construction of the facility, while the City oversees program design and operation of the community centre once it opens.
This 2022 amendment also allowed for additional residential floor area, increased building heights for social housing, secured market rental, and strata housing, and made consequential updates to the East Fraser Lands Official Development Plan.
Learn more about the community centre:
City of Vancouver Official Development Plan (ODP)
Vancouver’s recently adopted city-wide Official Development Plan (ODP), approved in March 2026, establishes a single policy framework intended to guide growth across the city. While it reflects and codifies many of the City’s existing planning directions, it does not alter the approved site-specific entitlements that currently govern East Fraser Lands.
As a result, the East Fraser Lands Official Development Plan (EFL ODP) and its associated CD-1 zoning remain the primary governing documents for the River District today. Recent amendments approved by Council in February 2026—allowing for above-grade structured parking—have been incorporated into this framework and continue to guide development as planned.
The new city-wide ODP will gradually replace all area-specific ODPs over time, with full integration required by 2030. Until that transition is complete, East Fraser Lands will continue to evolve under its existing, Council-approved plan, ensuring consistency, continuity, and alignment as the broader city-wide framework comes into effect.
Where We Are Today
Currently, Wesgroup is underway with zoning amendments of its remaining undeveloped parcels to convert a portion of its underground parking to above-grade parking.
Rising construction costs, higher financing rates, and ongoing market uncertainty have created a more challenging environment for development and put pressure on project viability.
The conversion to above-grade parking has been brought forward in an effort to restore project viability, due to the complexity and costs associated with the construction of underground parking. These zoning amendments do not propose any additional density.
Zoning amendments to Area 1 were approved by the City of Vancouver in February 2026.
History
Planning Process
The planning of East Fraser Lands (River District) has been highly collaborative, involving thousands of Vancouver residents and stakeholders over more than two decades. Since the early stages of planning in 2002, public engagement has been a key part of shaping the vision and refining plans through multiple open houses, surveys, workshops and consultations with community groups, residents, the City and Wesgroup.
We invite you to join the ongoing conversations. If you would like to receive planning and engagement updates from Wesgroup, please email us at info@eastfraserlands.ca to be added to our mailing list.
