Planning the Neighbourhood

A Uniquely-Vernon Mixed Use Neighbourhood

Via District is envisioned as a distinctive, vibrant, and connected urban neighbourhood that reflects Vernon’s unique character and supports a high quality of life. Designed as a master‑planned, mixed‑use community, the project brings together new housing, local businesses, public spaces, and green connections in a compact and walkable setting.

Guided by a clear set of planning principles and shaped through ongoing community input, Via District prioritizes how buildings relate to streets, how people move through the area, and how public spaces, housing, and commercial uses come together. While these principles provide structure and direction, community feedback plays a critical role in translating them into meaningful places—such as trails, plazas, green spaces, public amenities, and community connections.

Community perspectives, technical analysis, and policy alignment are brought together through the creation of a Via District master plan, which will guide the long‑term development of the site and continue to be refined through public engagement as the project advances through the City of Vernon’s OCP amendment, rezoning, and approval processes.

PROJECT PRINCIPLE #1

Via District is a Place of Confluence

The community will blend a range of complementary uses, including housing, community spaces, commercial activity and innovation.  Public spaces will be flexible and diverse to create an energetic, magnetic place for everyday events and larger community celebrations.

Vernon, British Columbia

PROJECT PRINCIPLE #2

Via District is Rooted in Vernon

Local community perspectives will guide the plan.  With the natural terrain and the urban context in mind, the plan will reflect Vernon and its unique character. 

PROJECT PRINCIPLE #3

Via District Touches the Earth

The plan will respect local ecology and nature.  Landscape elements – such as porous surfaces and stormwater treatment zones – will integrate into the public spaces and community access to green spaces will support the connection to nature. 

PROJECT PRINCIPLE #4

Via District Nurtures Community

Commercial and community activities will be unique and reflect a thoughtful approach to community programming.  With the potential for entrepreneurial or cultural incubator spaces, it will be a place where the Vernon community can flourish and grow. 

PROJECT PRINCIPLE #5

Via District Adds to Vernon

The plan will respond to – and align with – Vernon’s needs and objectives. Higher intensity uses – including a range of building types from low to high-rise buildings – will offer housing choice that is centrally located near the downtown’s commercial services and amenities. Sensitive building placement will reflect the opportunities that the unique location can provide.