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Phase 3 of Stadium Neighbourhood public consultation took place in fall 2018. It included two public open houses, two resident forums and an online survey. In addition, a public talk and an interactive workshop were held as part of a two-part “Building Happier Healthier Communities” engagement initiative. In total, 437 people participated in the open houses, resident forums, workshop and/or completed the online survey. UBC also received 6 written submissions and 2 petitions during Phase 3.

Planning staff also presented and discussed the plan options with faculties, staff, and students at various meetings as well as worked closely with the advisory committees, including the Planning Advisory Committee comprised of Musqueam, faculty, students, staff, and residents.

The feedback from Phase 3 consultation along with comments received since then have been broad and varied with four prominent themes:

1. Both concern and support for building heights and density: UBC heard concerns about how growth will have impacts on traffic, parking, community services, and livability of surrounding neighbourhoods. There were also concerns about the impacts of tall buildings on views and sunlight, as well as aesthetic concerns about maintaining the character of UBC’s existing neighbourhoods. Concerns were also expressed over the proposed increase in density above what is allowed in current plans. On the other hand, there were also comments about the need for increased housing in the area, and support for more density and taller buildings.

2. Provision of sufficient community services: Linked closely to density concerns, there were comments about the plan not offering sufficient community services and amenities to accommodate campus growth. Specifically, there was concern over school capacity, retail space such as grocery stores, and services including child care. Related, there were comments about the need to improve connectivity across campus and with the rest of the region, particularly with enhanced transit.

3. Both concern and support for more affordable housing for the UBC community: There were a wide range of comments related to this topic. A number focused on the urgent need for more affordable housing options for UBC faculty, staff and students (including much debate about enhanced ownership options for faculty). Many others opposed any additional development above the current Land Use Plan allocation of 1 million square feet for the new neighbourhood.

4. Importance of the public realm and ecology: Comments emphasized a need for increasing the amount of usable public space while ensuring it is ecologically sensitive. Comments also called for walkable and bike-friendly environments, maximizing the public’s engagement with nature, protecting Rhododendron Wood, and designing mixed-use, community-oriented spaces that could accommodate a range of uses for the public and neighbouring communities (i.e. craft and hobby workshops). There was also support for the east-west pedestrian only promenade.

Other notable feedback was a preference for all of the neighbourhood development to be built north of the new stadium so future residents would be less exposed to noise and light than would be the case if housing was developed directly west. There were also comments about ensuring the neighbourhood is safe and well connected with the broader campus and that construction impacts are minimized. Finally, there was concern about the pace of the Stadium Neighbourhood Plan process, including UBC’s ability to engage in meaningful consultation with Musqueam.

Read Phase 3 Consultation Summary Report which provides additional detail on the consultation process, including written submissions received.

Phase 3 Events:

• UNA Neighbourhood Forum, Monday, October 1, 2018, Wesbrook Community Centre
• Mandarin Language Residents Forum, October 2, 2018, Wesbrook Community Centre
• Open House 1, Wednesday, October 3, 2018, 10am - 12pm, Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre
• Public Talk, Thursday, October 4, 2018, 5:30pm - 8:00pm, Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre
• Open House 2, Wednesday, October 10, 2018, 4pm – 7pm, Wesbrook Community Centre
• Building Happier, Healthier Communities Workshop, October 13, 2018, 12pm - 4pm, BC Hydro Theatre

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Phase 2 of Stadium Neighbourhood public consultation took place in spring 2018. Planning staff hosted two public open houses, and a survey was posted online to gather feedback. In addition, a public “Ideas Workshop” was held to give input on three main themes related to neighbourhood life at UBC: How We Live, How We Care and How We Move. Planning staff also made several “roadshow” presentations to targeted stakeholders including faculties and community resident groups. In total, 428 people participated in the open houses, workshop and/or completed the online survey as well as took part in targeted presentations. UBC also received 1 petition during Phase 2.

The feedback received during Phase 2 was broad and varied with several prominent themes emerging that are highlighted throughout this summary.

1. Housing Affordability: The high cost and limited availability of quality housing is a challenge throughout the region and here at UBC. We heard many comments related to housing affordability in general, and for the campus community in particular. Many comments stressed a desire to increase housing dedicated to the UBC community (faculty, staff and students). There was also support for strategies to reduce the cost of living in the new neighbourhood, including sharing amenities and minimizing the need for car ownership. Other comments raised concerns about a potential conflict between the UBC Endowment and the need for affordable housing on campus.
2. Density and Development Impacts: We also heard many concerns about increasing density in UBC neighbourhoods and its potential impacts on neighbourhood livability, nearby infrastructure, and natural ecology. The development associated with Stadium Neighbourhood, including 1.5 million square feet of residential floor space (an increase from the original estimate of 993,000 square feet), is a key concern for some residents, as well as worry about maintaining the character of existing neighbourhoods. We also received some comments in support of higher density development, in relation to increasing housing affordability and creating more vibrancy in the area.
3. A Local Community: The principle of a locally-oriented community was broadly supported in terms of increasing access to housing for UBC faculty, staff and students. Locally serving commercial uses that support Wesbrook as the major commercial centre for South Campus and using the local area context and existing assets were also identified as key drivers of planning and design. Elements of the plan scenarios that supported community building, gathering, and social interaction were well-supported, as well as strong connections between the new neighbourhood and surrounding places (especially the UBC Botanical Garden). We also received comments of concern about the relationship of tower height to community building.
4. The Value of Natural Systems and Open Space: We heard that there is a clear priority placed on protecting natural assets (such as the forest, UBC Farm and UBC Botanical Garden) and for the new neighbourhood to support biodiversity and sustainability. We received many comments that supported careful integration of the new neighbourhood with nature and the UBC Botanical Garden, as well as comments supporting integrating research opportunities, such as Campus as a Living Lab, into the neighbourhood. Additionally, incorporating nature into development was well-supported by many commenters. Open space on campus is also highly valued and many comments supported open and green space aspects of the plan scenarios.

Read Phase 2 Consultation Summary Report which provides additional detail on the consultation process.

Phase 2 Events:

• Open House 1, Tuesday, March 27, 2018, 11am – 2pm, I.K. Barber Centre
• Open House 2, Wednesday, April 4, 2018, 4pm – 7pm, Old Barn Community Centre
• Ideas Workshop, Saturday, April 7, 2018, 12pm – 4pm, BC Hydro Theatre

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Phase 1 of Stadium Neighbourhood public consultation took place in fall 2017. It included a series of open houses, information booths, stakeholder meetings and an online survey. In total, 773 people participated in the events and survey.

The following provides a high-level summary of key themes received.

1. Housing Affordability: Housing affordability is a challenge felt across the UBC community, particularly housing that works for families, and is a challenge for faculty, staff and student recruitment and retention. As was the sentiment that neighbourhood development should prioritize affordability.
2. Planning for the UBC Community: Respondents expressed that there is a need for housing options and supporting amenities that work for faculty, students and staff, with a greater emphasis on fit and affordability over luxury. We heard that a high value is placed on the campus environment, and that people see an opportunity to create a distinctively UBC community by integrating neighbourhood and university life.
3. Stadium and Neighbourhood Integration: We heard that Thunderbird Stadium is a unique characteristic for the new neighbourhood. A new stadium was identified as both a major concern for residents due to traffic, noise, and other related impacts, as well as an opportunity to advance athletic excellence, contribute to community well-being, and be a valuable neighbourhood amenity.
4. Transportation Connections and Transit Opportunities: Connectivity was identified as a primary concern for area residents, both to mitigate potential future vehicular impacts as well as the need for improved connections throughout campus and beyond. The need for improvement of local transit options has been identified and the potential opportunity of future rapid transit service are variables that need to be considered through the neighbourhood planning process.
5. Protection of Natural Assets: The natural environment at UBC is highly valued by the public and the need to enhance the functionality of natural systems was identified as a key theme through the consultation process.
6. Locally Serving Commercial Uses and Amenities: Acknowledging that Wesbrook Place provides the central commercial node for South Campus, the feedback revealed a strong desire for uses and amenities in the new neighbourhood located within walking distance to serve local needs.
7. Form of Development: Concern regarding the compatibility of higher density development with the site’s natural and surrounding neighbourhood context was a key theme.
8. Meaningful Community Engagement: To build trust and ownership of plan outcomes, in support of Campus and Community Planning’s Engagement Principles, there was strong feedback that the neighbourhood planning process should engage the community and stakeholders in a meaningful way at all stages of the process. This includes design of the engagement process, development of the plan, and throughout implementation.

Read Phase 1 Consultation Summary Report which provides additional detail on the consultation process.

Phase 1 Events:

• Open House 1, Saturday, September 30, 2017, 3pm - 6pm, Wesbrook Community Centre
• Open House 2, Tuesday, October 3, 2017, 5pm - 8pm, Old Barn Community Centre
• Open House 3, Thursday, October 5, 2017, 11:00am - 2:00pm, I.K. Barber Centre