The Jericho Lands give First Nations a say in Vancouver's future. But some say the development is too large

First Nations leadership and Vancouver residents are butting heads over a massive, Indigenous-led development in West Point Grey.

The Jericho Lands projects promises to add 13,000 housing units in buildings ranging in height from four to 49 storeys, along with businesses and community spaces. 

"We want to make sure we're all part of the future, shaping a future that is Vancouver," Squamish Nation Coun. Sxwíxwtn Wilson Williams said. 

It's one of three housing projects in Vancouver planned by the MST Development Corporation, which is co-owned by the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

While ground has yet to be broken on the Jericho Lands development, the Sen̓áḵw project, which promises to add about 3,000 homes in Kitislano, is taking shape about four kilometres to the east. The recently announced Heather Lands development just west of Queen Elizabeth Park, meanwhile, aims to offer 2,600 housing units for affordable rates. 

Advocates say the Jericho Lands project is an injection of much needed housing into Point Grey and a step toward the First Nations shaping the skyline of a city on their homelands.

But some local residents say they're concerned about the impact high-rise buildings will have on the neighbourhood and the environment. 

According to the nations, the 36-hectare site north of West 4th Avenue between Discovery and Highbury streets was once the site of a First Nations village. 

The site is made up of two parcels of land: Jericho Hill, which was previously owned by the province, and the Jericho Garrison, which was previously owned by the Department of National Defence.

The three nations and the Canada Lands Company, a federal Crown real estate corporation, acquired the garrison parcel in 2014 from the federal government, and bought Jericho Hill from B.C. for $480 million in 2016. 

Over the next 25 to 30 years, MST proposes to build several residential towers that would house 24,000 residents, including about 2,600 units of social housing and about 1,300 units of secured market and below-market rentals. 

The site is also slated to host commercial and retail businesses, nearly 500 child care spaces, community centres, walking and cycling paths, a new elementary school and potentially a new SkyTrain station if the Millennium Line is extended to the University of British Columbia.

In a policy document approved by Vancouver city council earlier this year, the developer said it will be guided by its owner First Nations and provide opportunities for reconciliation, to protect the environment and commit to sustainable development. 

"We're ensuring that our teachings are instilled into the development," Wilson said. "We're looking at net-zero gas emissions, sustainability … we never take more than we need to."