Surrey expands pilot program to non-residential builds, fast-tracking excavation at Centre Block and Crescent Academy for quicker project delivery.
Council Approves Expansion of Excavation-Only Permits
The City of Surrey has approved early excavation for two major non-residential developments, marking the first time its fast-track pilot program will be applied outside of housing projects.
At a council meeting on July 28, Surrey greenlit excavation-only permits for the Centre Block development in City Centre and Crescent Academy in Cloverdale, both deemed “significant” by city officials. The decision stems from a 2024 pilot program designed to accelerate residential construction by allowing excavation to proceed before full rezoning and development approvals are finalized.
New Phase Targets Key Institutional Developments
The Centre Block project, on the site of the former North Surrey Recreation Centre, is set to include two office towers, ground-level commercial space, and a public plaza. With Simon Fraser University as a key tenant aiming for a fall 2030 opening of its new medical school, developers are pushing for excavation to begin immediately after conditional development permit approval.
“This would allow excavation to support the proposed six levels of underground parking to begin while the applicant works to obtain the development permit,” said Ron Gill, Surrey’s general manager of planning and development, in a report to council.
Crescent Academy to Benefit from Summer Construction Window
In Cloverdale, early excavation will also proceed for Crescent Academy, a proposed K–12 private school intended to accommodate approximately 750 students. The site at 18620 56 Avenue—currently home to Diamond Elementary and Relevant High School—will remain operational during construction.
The applicant is also seeking to acquire an adjacent City Park property to develop a sports field. Third reading of the rezoning bylaw was granted at the July 14 council meeting.
“With students away for summer break, the applicant is hoping to begin work as soon as possible,” Gill noted.
Future Plans to Make Fast-Track Permits Permanent
Surrey is now exploring bylaw amendments to make early excavation permits a permanent feature of its development approval process. A formal proposal is expected by early 2026.
In the interim, Gill stated, these two non-residential projects “provide an opportunity to test expansion of the pilot program” while delivering critical community infrastructure sooner. The move is part of Surrey’s broader strategy to reduce construction timelines, support institutional growth, and streamline the path from rezoning to occupancy.
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