Abbotsford’s Salton Road OCP change is an early land-value signal, not a done deal
Abbotsford is proposing an OCP redesignation for 37 Salton Road, Shore Crescent, and Gilmour Drive properties to support future apartment rezonings. That matters to owners, but it is still early-stage optionality with real assembly, geotechnical, and timing risk.
Article Details
- Author: Lukas Matheson
- Published: May 2, 2026
- Category: Real Estate News
Article Summary
- Abbotsford is not just hosting another planning open house. The City is proposing a City-initiated Official Community Plan amendment for 37 properties on Salton Road, Shore Crescent, and Gilmour Drive that would support future rezoning applications for apartments in part of the area. For owners, that is the real story. A City-led map change can shift how a property is priced, marketed, and held long before any apartment building is approved. It can also lead people to overpay for a story that still has plenty of risk in it. ## What the City is actually doing The public notice says the amendment applies to 37 subject properties: 19 on Salton Road, 10 on Shore Crescent, and 8 on Gilmour Drive. The City is also proposing an administrative change at 1853 Shore Crescent to recognize the existing park. The more useful detail is in Council Report PDS 031-2026 and the City’s engagement material. Staff say Area 1 is proposed to shift from SSMUH2 to APARTMENT, and existing OCP Policy 3.34 already frames that area for apartment development up to 6 storeys. Staff also say 33856 Gilmour Drive was added to improve the viability of a future apartment site. That matters because it tells owners thi