1. Implement the principles, goals and policies of the Vancouver City Center Vision Subarea Plan for mixed-use development and connections to the waterfront.

2. Build to the highest density that is financially viable and achievable within the allowed height restrictions and grid dimensions.

3. Create an urban high activity waterfront character.

4. Create tangible connections to the waterfront, connecting Vancouver’s City Center businesses, neighborhoods and parks to a vibrant waterfront district that is accessible to all.

5. Design streets to enhance the district’s ability to function as a pedestrian-oriented urban neighborhood, encourage pedestrian activity, and create a lively active district.

6. Extend the Columbia River Renaissance Trail to the west.

7. Encourage water oriented uses along the shoreline area.

8. Encourage environmentally friendly site and development design and construction.

9. Secure public access to or along the shoreline, to include waterfront public spaces.

1. Street Grid. The street system shall be based on a grid pattern and pedestrian system similar to the existing City Center grid of 200 foot blocks. Based on site and environmental constraints the planning official may approve a limited number of smaller or larger blocks. Where blocks are 300 feet or longer on a face, mid block pedestrian connections shall be provided.

2. Traffic Calming. Traffic calming elements shall be incorporated in the master plan. Elements such as and not limited to maximize on-street parking, narrow streets, ten to twelve foot sidewalks, and visible attractive crosswalks at intersections.

3. Sidewalk.

4. Street Lights. The City’s Street Light Policy shall apply. It identifies the Sheppard’s Crook light fixtures on the waterfront trail and the Double-Acorn light fixture on the streets.

5. Parking. Within the Columbia West Renaissance District, new surface parking lots are prohibited except for surface parking lot(s) needed during phased construction and where an approved phasing plan states timelines for completion of each phase and removal of such lot(s).

Structural parking is prohibited between the river and buildings located nearest to the shoreline and at the interface of buildings and the river shoreline.

Require parking driveway access from secondary streets and require on-street parking on all streets unless otherwise approved by the Transportation Manager.

Develop orient and screen structural parking to:

6. Link to City Center. The principles of the Downtown Plan District sub-sections 20.630.020, Building Lines; 20.630.030, Rain Protection; 20.630.040, Blank Walls; 20.630.050 C, Maximum Building Heights; and Parking Control, 20.630.060 shall apply to the Columbia West Renaissance District waterfront area zoned City Center (CX). The details of how and where to apply the above mentioned sub-sections of the Downtown Plan District (20.630) shall be provided in the master plan (20.620.030) and approved by the City.

7. Pathways, Open Spaces and Connections. People shall be able to interact with the river in appropriate locations, whether by touching, viewing, or enjoying the riverbank in other ways. Visual access to the water shall be provided. Physical access shall be provided where determined appropriate and consistent with the requirements of the Critical Areas Ordinance (VMC 20.740) and Shoreline Master Plan.

Locate open spaces strategically to serve proposed uses, pedestrian linkages and nearby districts and to enhance transition from the waterfront urban environment to the river shoreline environment. Provide pedestrian connections and specific design elements to connect the varied open spaces into a cohesive open space system.

Provide public open spaces that are diverse in character, and placement. Both green and hardscape shall be provided. Hardscape open spaces designed for intense urban uses and consistent with the Critical Areas Ordinance (VMC 20.740) and Shoreline Master Plan may be appropriate in some areas of the City Center’s waterfront.

Extend the Columbia River Renaissance Trail from east to west keeping it as close to the river as possible consistent with the requirements of the Critical Areas Ordinance (VMC 20.740) and Shoreline Master Plan.

Incorporate information about the Columbia River’s natural resources and cultural history into the design of provided riverfront features such as public art, and interpretive signs.

Provide primary pedestrian connections between the existing Esther Short Park and new waterfront development. Pedestrian connections may include, but not limited to, features or amenities such as special sidewalk design, landscaping, art work, street furniture, views etc. See Landscape Plans below.

8. Landscape Plans. Employ design concepts that unify the new waterfront development with the City Center, Esther Short Park, the Columbia River, river pathways and open spaces, and surrounding activities to the east and west, by specific plant selection, furniture, lighting, art, and hardscape materials etc. Integrate landscape elements to enhance transitions with pedestrian access ways from the waterfront urban development to the river shoreline.

Arrange plant communities to reinforce diverse open spaces, provide connectivity, aesthetics, ecological functions, and variety and interest through the seasons.

Select appropriate species of native and native-like plants in the waterfront district area based on the soil, light, moisture conditions, context and adjacent uses. Planting schemes shall consider water conservation goals refer to VMC Section 20.925.100.

Specify appropriate species of native plants in the riparian management area and riparian buffer of the shoreline based on the soil, light, moisture conditions, context and adjacent uses and consistent with the Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Plan.

The selection of tree species and the layout of trees on different streets are related to both the operation and desired character of a particular street. Species selection and tree spacing shall be coordinated with the City’s Parks and Forestry Divisions to ensure appropriate relationship to the Columbia River shoreline and Columbia River Renaissance Trail, connectivity to the City Center, and desired character of specific streets. For street tree selection, refer to VMC 20.925.060.

9. Building Design. While creating an urban façade to the property line, development in the Columbia West Renaissance District should not present a wall between the downtown and the river, nor should it represent themed building types or styles. To avoid monolithic building mass, vary the footprint and façade plane of buildings that face the Columbia River to create a diversity of building forms and urban spaces adjacent to the shoreline. This may be accomplished by:

10. View Protection. Within the Columbia West Renaissance District, buildings shall be arranged and designed to maximize views and preserve views of the shoreline.

11. Sustainable Site and Development Design. As much as practicable incorporate sustainable design concepts as integral components of urban site and development designs. Examples include but are not limited to:

1. A master plan that complies with Section 20.268.070 Master Plan Components is submitted.

2. The modification(s) is warranted given site conditions and/or characteristics of the design.

3. The benefits accruing from the implementation of the modification meet or exceed the current design and development standards in Section D above.

4. Any impacts resulting from the modification are mitigated to the extent practical.