Neighbourhood Plans (NP’s) are planning documents created to guide development for specific areas of the city that are either intended to accommodate redevelopment, or to create a new neighbourhood. These documents will provide guidance to City staff, the public, and land owners as to what the land can be used for (such as homes, businesses, parks and trails) and how it will be serviced. The plan must conform to the City of Abbotsford's Official Community Plan.
McKee (in progress)
Overview
Abbotsford’s Official Community Plan (OCP), adopted in June 2016, provides a vision and a framework for how Abbotsford will grow to a population of 200,000. One of the most important aspects of the new OCP is to create neighbourhood plans for specific areas of the city that help manage and direct their growth. In general, these areas of Abbotsford will see the most growth in the future.
Located in the mountainous northeastern corner of Abbotsford lies a largely undeveloped area of approximately 842 hectares of land (2,080 acres). This land is referenced within Abbotsford’s Official Community Plan Urban Structure as the New Neighbourhoods. The McKee Neighbourhood Plan will be the planning process that will transform this area into a complete neighbourhood that will help implement the vision of the OCP.
Background
The City of Abbotsford has launched a comprehensive four stage planning process to create the McKee Neighbourhood Plan (MNP). The MNP will develop a vision for a new residential neighbourhood anchored by a neighbourhood centre and connected with trails, parks and open spaces.
McKee is a mountainside neighbourhood known for its open space and trails. The MNP presents an opportunity to integrate homes, schools, parks, trails and environmental amenities into one complete neighbourhood.
Stage 1 - Background Research
Stage 1 has analyzed current conditions to assess the development potential of the land, and determine what land should be protected according to senior government legislation and Council policy.
Stage 2 - Exploring Options
Stage 2 will focus on exploring options and preparing a concept. This will be done through a broad engagement process framed by concept options created from the planning issues identified in Stage 1. A preliminary technical analysis of infrastructure needs will also be conducted.
Stage 3 - Draft Plan
Stage 3 will focus on preparing the first draft of the new McKee Neighbourhood Plan using the findings from Stage 1 and 2. It will also include technical analysis of infrastructure needs, as well as a complete Transportation Impact Assessment.
Stage 4 - Final Plan
Stage 4 will focus on refining the new McKee Neighbourhood Plan, and having it adopted as a bylaw by Council. Currently, the plan is in the process of being considered by Council, and will be going to Public Hearing on July 25, 2022.
Provide your feedback about the McKee Neighbourhood Plan.
UDistrict
Overview
In 2011-2012, City of Abbotsford staff, residents, students, faculty, and many others came together to imagine what the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) Abbotsford campus and the surrounding neighbourhood could become in the next 30 years. This vision saw UFV continuing to grow and expand a campus that would be integrated with the neighbourhood. The surrounding area was envisioned to become a mixed-use, vibrant community that was walkable and had numerous amenities. The collaborative planning process between the City of Abbotsford and UFV culminated with the completion of the UDistrict Neighbourhood Plan.
Background
The UDistrict Neighbourhood Plan will help guide the future development of this area. It outlines the proposed land uses, densities, built form guidelines, public spaces, multi-modal transportation network, and servicing strategies.
Stage 1 - Background Research
Stage 1 analyzed how the UDistrict functions and looks, and provided themes and ideas to explore in stage 2.
Stage 2 - Exploring Options
Stage 2 explored options through broad community engagement.
Stage 3 - Draft Plan
Stage 3 used engagement results from Stage 2 to prepare a draft plan.
Council held a public hearing and gave the plan third reading and adoption on May 28, 2018. Below is a link to the completed UDistrict Neighbourhood Plan, which now forms part of the Official Community Plan.
Historic Downtown
The City of Abbotsford completed a comprehensive four stage planning process to create the Historic Downtown Neighbourhood Plan (HDNP). The HDNP renews the vision of the neighbourhood and provides an opportunity to celebrate the area's heritage and enhance the vibrant community that is there today.
Historic Downtown is considered by many as one of the ‘hearts’ of Abbotsford, characterized by small-scale, independently-owned businesses, which offer a unique shopping, dining and entertainment experience for locals and visitors alike. The HDNP clarifies how the neigbourhood will evolve to become a complete neighbourhood and city wide destination.
Stage 1 - Background Research
Stage 1 analyzed how Historic Downtown functions and looks and provided themes and ideas to explore in Stage 2.
Stage 2 - Exploring Options
Stage 2 explored options and prepared a concept through broad community engagement.
Stage 3 - Draft Plan
Stage 3 used survey results about the concept from Stage 2 to prepare a draft plan.
Final Historic Downtown Neighbourhood Plan
Final open houses for the Historic Downtown Neighbourhood Plan were held November 30 to December 2, 2018 using display boards to gather feedback.
The HDNP bylaw (Bylaw No. 2920-2019) was given first and second readings by City Council on March 11, 2019 and was adopted following the public hearing on April 15, 2019.
Historic Downtown Neighbourhood Plan
Streetscape Guidelines
The Historic Downtown Streetscape Standards and Guidelines are a continuation of the conceptual design work and proposals brought forward through Historic Downtown Neighbourhood Planning process and subsequent Historic Downtown Neighbourhood Plan (HDNP) in 2019. The Streetscape Guidelines are an additional level of design for
components of “People-Centered Streets”. The purpose of this document is to guide residents, businesses, developers, City Council and City staff in the renewal of these important streets within Historic Downtown.
City Centre
The City of Abbotsford completed a comprehensive four stage planning process to create the City Centre Neighbourhood Plan (CCNP). Abbotsford is a young city with multiple historic centres, but no identifiable core. The CCNP provides a new vision for a more populated, attractive, and walkable neighbourhood at the heart of our urban area.
With its close proximity to Mill Lake and its strong employment base, the City Centre has the foundation and the potential to become a dynamic and complete neighbourhood. With clearer and stronger land use designations, design guidelines, and policies, the CCNP can help encourages development in Abbotsford’s core.
Stage 1 - Background Research
Stage 1 analyzed how the City Centre functions and looks, and provided themes and ideas to explore in stage 2.
Stage 2 - Exploring Options
Stage 2 explored options and prepared a concept through broad community engagement.
Stage 3 - Draft Plan
Stage 3 used survey results about the concept from Stage 2 to prepare a draft plan.
Final open houses for the City Centre Neighbourhood Plan were held November 22 and 23, 2018 using display boards to gather feedback.
The CCNP bylaw (Bylaw No. 2913-2019) was given first and second readings by City Council on March 11, 2019, and was adopted following the public hearing on April 15, 2019.