The following are some of the terms you will encounter as you navigate

city hall processes and procedures:

These definitions are excerpted from the City of North Vancouver's Official Community Plan (OCP)

available at their website: www.cnv.org

Community Amenity Space means space within a development that is provided for the use and

enjoyment of the general community. Daycares, art galleries, community centers, community

police offices are recent examples. Such space is usually exempt from Gross Floor Area calculations.

Density means the intensity of use permitted on a property. This is usually calculated as the Gross

Floor Area permitted to be built on the property. That restriction is usually presented in the form of

a Floor Space Ratio. Density can also be calculated as the number of units permitted on a property.

In that instance, it is usually presented as either an absolute number or a unit per hectare

(or acre) ratio.

Density Bonus refers to the granting of additional density, beyond that which is normally permitted,

in return for the development providing a community benefit. Community amenity space,

heritage protection and affordable housing are examples of what may warrant a density bonus.

Density Transfer refers to the transfer of permitted (but unused) density from one property

to another property.

Floor Area Exclusion means the exclusion of certain portions of a building from Gross Floor

Area calculations.

Floor Space Ratio (FSR) is a method of calculating density by controlling the size of

building that can be built on a property. Multiply the FSR times that lot area to determine the

maximum size of building that can be built. For example, 0.5 FSR X 6,000 square feet (lot area) =

3,000 square feet (building)

Gross Floor Area means the total area of all the floors in each building on a lot, measured to the

extreme outer limits of each building. See the City’s Zoning Bylaw for a more detailed definition.

Growth Concentration Area is the part of Greater Vancouver where the GVRD seeks to concentrate

the majority of population and employment growth in an effort to avoid dispersed and inefficient

development patterns. The City of North Vancouver is not within the GVRD Growth

Concentration Area.

Height means the height of a building. The exact method of measuring height is determined

through the Zoning Bylaw.

Heritage Character Area means an area of the City that has a significant grouping of heritage

inventoried properties.

Heritage Program is a municipal effort to encourage the conservation of significant heritage

resources with input from the public. The Program focuses on raising public awareness, preparing and

maintaining a heritage inventory, developing conservation incentives, regulatory controls and

monitoring properties.

Livable Region Strategic Plan (LRSP) The LRSP is Greater Vancouver’s regional growth strategy. The

plan was endorsed by all GVRD-member municipalities, including the City of North Vancouver, in

1996. It provides a framework for making regional growth management and transportation decisions

in partnership with the other member municipalities, the provincial government, the federal

government and other agencies.

Local Government Act The Provincial legislation that establishes and limits municipal powers. The

Act permits municipalities to enact an Official Community Plan, and sets out its minimum

requirements.

Lonsdale Regional Town Centre is an area of the City identified by the GVRD as a the North Shore’s

centre for the concentration of jobs, housing, culture, and recreation opportunities. The eight

GVRD Regional Town Centres are intended to accommodate a large share of the region’s future

higher density commercial and residential growth, with a high level of transit service and interconnection.

The boundaries of the Lonsdale Regional Town Centre are roughly from the waterfront

(south) to the Upper levels Highway (north), and Mahon Avenue (west) to St. Andrews’

Avenue (east).

Public Hearings are the formal opportunity to be heard by City Council prior to it making a decision

on the adoption of certain bylaws. Public Hearings are regulated by the Local Government Act of B.C.

For more information contact the City Clerk.

Special Study Areas are areas of the City that are to be considered for a possible land use change.

Conducting a Special Study of an area does not necessarily mean that a land use change

will occur.

Traffic Calming is the process of reducing the physical and social impact of traffic, principally

through mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver

behavior and improve conditions for motorized and non-motorized street users.

Zoning Bylaw The City’s Zoning Bylaw sets out detailed regulations for the use and development

of lands.