A new neighbourhood on Hyphocus Island – shaped by the community

Project Update

A Public Hearing was held on May 20, 2026. The application is expected to return to Council in June 2026.

What’s Being Proposed

The current proposal envisions a small-scale neighbourhood of 85 single-family homes, carefully arranged to respect the land and serve the community.

This is a significant reduction from earlier concepts and reflects direct community feedback. The majority of the homes are designed for long-term residents, not seasonal turnover.

Housing Mix

  • 25 Larger Waterfront Lots

    Generous lots along the shoreline, designed for long-term and intergenerational living, with protected views and forest buffers

  • 51 Modest Homes with Secondary Suites

    Mid-sized lots that support flexible living arrangements, including rental suites for local families, downsizers, and first-time home buyers

  • 9 Compact Homes

    Smaller footprints with efficient design, intended to support attainability for singles, couples, and smaller households.

  • To create a small, complete neighbourhood that supports local residents, respects the natural environment, and reflects the values of the Ucluelet community.

  • Environmental Stewardship

    • Protecting shoreline areas, forests, and sensitive landscapes while integrating homes thoughtfully into the land.

    Homes for Ucluelet

    • Providing a range of housing options that support locals at different life stages, including opportunities for secondary suites and multi-generational living.

    Infrastructure Improvements

    • Upgrading roads and services to municipal standards and contributing to long-term infrastructure solutions that benefit the broader community.

  • Respect for Place

    • Design decisions are guided by the natural landscape, shoreline, and existing character of Hyphocus Island, with development areas shaped to work with the land rather than override it.

    Long-Term Stewardship

    • The project is approached with a long-term view, focusing on sustainability, environmental care, and neighbourhoods that will remain livable and resilient for generations.

    Listening and Responsiveness

    • The proposal has evolved through ongoing dialogue with residents, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet First Nation), and the District, with meaningful changes made in response to what has been heard.

    Planning with Purpose

    • The proposal is guided by clear objectives, policy direction, and community priorities, with decisions made thoughtfully and transparently as the project moves through the planning process.

Vision, Goals & Values

Listening & Responding

Community feedback has played a central role in shaping the project.

Through public open houses held in January and July 2024, along with ongoing discussions with Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ and District Council, several consistent themes emerged. The plan has evolved in direct response.

“Too much density”

We reduced the unit count from approximately 350 units to 85 single-family homes

“Protect the shoreline and forest”

Focused on single-family homes with secondary suites

“Ucluelet needs more homes for locals”

Preserved over 50% of the property as open space, with trees surrounding the island

“Fix the sewage lagoon odour issue”

Retained an engineering firm to pursue long-term odour solutions

“Too much traffic on Helen Road”

Improving Helen Road from property boundary to Peninsula Road to a municipal standard with sidewalks

Community Benefits

  • Nature Preserved

    More than half of the site will remain forested, with shoreline buffers, protected open spaces, and new public parkland. The plan includes a centrally located neighbourhood park designed for community use, with space for informal gathering and recreation, including a future playground and outdoor courts, alongside opportunities for trail connections throughout the site.

  • Homes for Ucluelet

    A mix of lot sizes and housing types, including secondary suites and future ADU potential (on select lots), designed to support local residents at different life stages. Homes are oriented toward long-term living, with flexible options that can accommodate families, renters, and multi-generational households over time.

  • Safe, Serviced, and Connected

    Upgrades to Helen Road will improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, while full municipal servicing, ongoing lagoon upgrades, and land set aside for future wastewater infrastructure support long-term community needs.

About the Proposal

Lot 543 is located on Hyphocus Island, a forested site bordered by water, trails, and nearby neighbourhoods. It is a unique piece of land that sits close to town, yet remains deeply connected to the natural landscape that defines Ucluelet.

In 2022, MayWind Developments purchased the property with two clear objectives:

  • To preserve much of the land in its natural state

  • To help address Ucluelet’s growing need for housing through thoughtful, community-informed planning.

Moving forward requires amendments to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw. Over the past several years, the project team has worked closely with residents, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet First Nation), District staff, and Council to listen, learn, and refine the proposal.

FAQ

  • At full buildout, a preliminary traffic review estimates the project would add roughly one additional vehicle per minute during peak weekday hours compared to what could occur under current zoning. Helen Road can accommodate this increase, and upgrades are planned to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.

  • Ucluelet has very limited undeveloped land that is close to town, serviceable, and not environmentally constrained. Hyphocus Island is identified in the Official Community Plan as an area for future comprehensive planning and is one of the few locations where housing can be thoughtfully planned while preserving significant open space.

  • Yes, subject to planned upgrades and ongoing coordination. The project will be fully municipally serviced and includes land set aside for potential future wastewater infrastructure expansion if needed.

  • Well-planned growth helps support housing needs, infrastructure improvements, and long-term community resilience in small communities like Ucluelet. This proposal contributes new homes for local residents, upgrades roads and services, and provides new public parkland and open space. Growth is being planned carefully and in appropriate locations, rather than occurring incrementally or without coordination.

  • The majority of housing is designed for long-term residents, not seasonal use. The mix of homes, secondary suites, and future ADU potential is intended to support families, renters, downsizers, and multi-generational households over time.

  • The project requires amendments to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw and will proceed through Council readings and a Public Hearing. The Public Hearing is an opportunity for residents to share feedback directly with Council before any decisions are made. Input received at each stage is considered as the proposal continues to move forward.

  • You can sign up for updates through the Stay Connected page. Registering simply keeps you informed as the project moves through approvals and future phases.