Updated March 9, 2004

On July 9, 2002 the Vancouver Port Authority (VPA) issued an approval in principle to Lafarge Canada to construct a ready mix concrete batch plant on the former Sterling Shipyard site.

Lafarge Canada submitted its application in August 2001 and VPA committed itself to a public and transparent consultation process on the application. The process allowed all interested groups, citizens, and businesses the opportunity to express their views and formally provide input. The application was also subject to a rigorous examination by the City of Vancouver and the Burrard Environmental Review Committee (BERC) that included representatives from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada and British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. Both the City and BERC advised VPA of their support for the proposal subject to a number of recommendations and environmental mitigation measures.

In formulating its decision, VPA took into consideration the recommendations provided by the City of Vancouver, BERC, its own independent advisors, and the extensive input from the public. Final approval would be in the form of a Project Permit and is pending the outcome of a court case regarding the jurisdiction of the property. It is also subject to 16 other conditions that must be satisfied before this project can proceed.

The goal of this Port remains focused on preserving port lands for the development of port and marine uses. VPA believes that a ready mix concrete plant with an integrated marine bulk loading facility is an appropriate use for these port lands, provided that appropriate measures are taken to minimize potential impacts on nearby residents and industry, as outlined as conditions in the approval in principle. The full list of conditions is provided below as well as VPA’s news release.

Approval in Principle [PDF | 1635 KB]

VPA Press Release July 9, 2002



The information provided below provides background information on the review process followed.

As Lafarge's proposal is located on VPA property, it is subject to VPA's land use and environmental approval. VPA assessed the potential effects on the natural and socio-economic environment through its Project Review Process and Environmental Appraisal Procedures.

The key elements of this review process are highlighted below.

On October 23 & 24, 2001 VPA held public meetings to obtain input on the proposal and accepted written comments until November 9, 2001. Transcripts from the public meetings are provided in the links below:

Oct 23 transcript [PDF | 663 KB]

Oct 24 transcript [PDF | 620 KB]

Independent technical advisors were retained to report to VPA on the issues of air quality, noise and traffic. These reports are provided in the links below:

Air Quality [PDF | 4996 KB]

Noise Report [PDF | 1350 KB]

Traffic Report [PDF | 823 KB]

Although the City of Vancouver has no land use or development authority on Port property, the City and VPA routinely cooperate to ensure City input on proposals is provided to and considered by VPA. As part of the City’s review process, the proposal was considered by the City's Development Permit Board on March 4, 2002. The City advised VPA that it supports the proposal subject to a number of recommended mitigation measures. A copy of the City’s March 13, 2002 letter to VPA is provided below.

March 13, 2002 Letter City of Vancouver [PDF | 527 KB]

Further information on the City’s involvement in the review process is available by contacting the City’s project facilitator at (604) 871-6478.

BERC
The proposal was also reviewed by the environmental agencies of the Burrard Environmental Review Committee consisting of Environment Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, Canadian Coast Guard and the VPA. On May 1, 2002 BERC provided an interim response to VPA indicating that known technology can mitigate the potential environmental impacts of locating a concrete plant at this location, subject to a number of recommendations. A copy of BERC’s May 1, 2002 response to VPA is provided below.

May 1, 2002 BERC Letter [PDF | 708 KB]

Further information about BERC’s review process is available by contacting BERC at (604) 775-5195.

In support of its application, Lafarge was required to submit a detailed Environmental Appraisal Document (EAD). This EAD provides details of the proposal, its potential impacts and related mitigation.

The EAD, its Executive Summary and the detailed reports provided in the Appendix are available through the links below. Alternatively, you may view the EAD at the locations noted below.

Proposed Vancouver Harbour Ready Mix Concrete Plant Environmental Appraisal Document (EAD) [PDF, 770KB]

Executive Summary [PDF, 42KB]

Appendix A Environmental Baseline Summary Report [PDF, 1.5MB]
Appendix B Screening Air Quality Evaluation [PDF, 1.4MB]
Appendix C Terrestrial Habitat Survey [PDF, 46KB]
Appendix D Intertidal Habitat Survey [PDF, 1.8MB]
Appendix E Traffic Study [PDF, 149KB]
Appendix F Acoustical Evaluation [PDF, 18.9MB]
Appendix G Real Estate Appraisal [PDF, 327KB]
Appendix H Product Descriptions and Specifications [PDF, 1.7MB]
Appendix I Water Management Plan [PDF, 1.2MB]
Appendix J Site Survey Plan [PDF, 12KB]
Appendix K Landscape Concept [PDF, 6KB]
Appendix L Rapid Impact Compactor Specs [PDF, 4.4MB]
Appendix M Emission Regulation For Ready Mix Concrete & Concrete Products Industries [PDF, 217KB]
Appendix N Preliminary Environmental Protection and Contingency Plan [PDF, 22KB]
Appendix O Preliminary Environmental Summary Matrix [PDF, 19KB]
Appendix P Impact Assessment [PDF, 294KB]
Appendix Q Public Consultation Report [PDF, 47.6MB]

Context Sections & Front Elevations [PDF, 3.36MB]
Landscape Plan (SitePlan.pdf) [PDF, 5.68MB]
View Study A [PDF, 5.41MB]
View Study B [PDF, 6.9MB]
View Study C [PDF, 7.54MB]
View Study D [PDF, 6.91MB]

Following the public review of the application and the review by VPA’s independent advisors of the air quality, noise and traffic components of Lafarge’s application, VPA requested Lafarge to address certain technical information gaps identified by these advisors. On February 4, 2002 Lafarge submitted an addendum to its Environmental Appraisal Document (EAD), which are provided below:

Addendum Summary Letter from Lafarge [PDF | 169 KB]
Addendum to Air Quality Evaluation [PDF | 3599 KB]
Operating Procedure for Barge Unloading [PDF | 61 KB]
Addendum to Acoustical Evaluation [PDF | 2513 KB]
Addendum to Traffic Assessment [PDF | 566 KB]

Lafarge has created a web site with information about their proposal. Follow the link below to be directed to Lafarge's web site.

Lafarge's New Foundations Web Site

For information on the previous proposal by Lafarge to construct the Commissioner Street Concrete Batch Plant, please follow the link below.

Proposed Commissioner Street Concrete Batch Plant (Lafarge Canada Inc.)

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Port Development department.

E-mail: port_planning@portvancouver.com

Mail:
Vancouver Port Authority
Port Planning
Vancouver Port Authority
100 The Pointe
999 Canada Place
Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3T4
Canada
Phone: (604) 665-9047
Fax: (604) 665-9007

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