DNV Takes the First Step Forward on Lynn Valley

Last night the DNV Council approved the following:

 "Develop a Planning Framework to guide decision-making (generally based on a 5- storey height limit with maximum 8 storeys at strategic locations; additional height considered on a case-by-case basis). "

This should be the first step in the process that leads to the redevelopment of the Lynn Valley Centre and surrounding properties.

The official notice from Council is here.


News Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 8, 2013

North Vancouver District Council adopts Flexible Framework
for future development in Lynn Valley Town Centre

North Vancouver District Council took a close look at the realities and facts of Lynn Valley Town Centre planning at their meeting last night and staked out a way forward.

At issue were two possible approaches to guiding new development over the next 20 years. The first option was to enshrine in policy an absolute height limit of five storeys across the town centre. The second option, recommended by staff and adopted by Council, was a "flexible planning framework‟ that allows heights of predominantly five storeys, increasing to eight storeys at strategic locations.

The framework also provides the flexibility to receive community input on and review, on a case-by- case basis, applications for developments that exceed eight stories. In adopting the framework Council set a height limit of 12 storeys for those specific locations.

Council arrived at this point after a rigorous and wide-ranging community consultation with 950 residents, during which they received over 1,400 submissions, distinctly focussed on Lynn Valley Town Centre. This was in addition to a previous public consultation program which reached over 5,000 people and resulted in the Official Community Plan being adopted by Council in 2011.

After much analysis, Planning staff provided Council with a side-by-side comparison of the trade-offs between the five storey absolute height limit and the flexible framework model. Highlights of the benefits of the flexible framework approach include:

• addition of a large local park as well as more public spaces and pocket green spaces
• the ability to create enough critical mass to support provision of enhanced transit service
• road dedication for a transit exchange along East 27th Street
• the ability to protect views in public spaces and avoid excessive shading from buildings
• enhancement of the area‟s ecology, including stream enhancement
• 45 – 60 percent difference in the dollar value of Community Amenity Contributions and Development Cost Charges (funds received from developers in exchange for additional density that help pay for highly-valued neighbourhood features such as daycare spaces, new parks, public plazas, walking trails, stream enhancements, etc.)
• increased economic opportunity by creating and maintaining a vibrant business community that enables and encourages a walkable streetscape
• the ability to more closely dictate and monitor the character of new buildings to meet the community's desired "mountain village‟ aesthetic
• more diverse and plentiful mix of housing types suitable for seniors and young families

The flexible framework allows the District to continue to meet objectives already adopted in the Official Community Plan around transportation, housing, parks and open spaces, economic vibrancy, the environment and the social well-being of the population, while acknowledging community concerns about rapid or extreme change, cookie-cutter design, shading from buildings, and transportation improvements. It also allows the community to help shape the future look, feel and functionality of the area by being involved in redevelopment proposals and rezonings for the town centre, particularly those that ask to exceed eight storeys and build towards the 12 storey limit that Council has set.

Mayor Walton said, “I‟m pleased that, with the help of the Community, Council has landed on a balanced approach that takes into consideration all viewpoints and provides a clear path forward for rejuvenation of the Lynn Valley Town Centre.”

– 30 –

North Vancouver District Communications Office

604-990-2459

View the full Council report from the October 7 North Vancouver District Council Meeting

North Vancouver District

355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC

www.dnv.org



Document: 2195101

The Latest from Bosa.

If you didn't make it to the presentation week before last, or to the displays in the former pet store at Lynn Valley Centre (beside the soon to be former dollar store) here's what was presented.

Thanks to Mark Sager for providing these pictures.  The big 20+ story tower is gone, replaced by two lower towers, plus all of that residential and commercial goodness that will bring Lynn valley back to life.

As you can see from the map, this design works within the Official Community Plan.

Will DNV Council move Lynn Valley Ahead next Week?

Next Tuesday's meeting represents an important opportunity for DNV Council to start the Lynn Valley Revitalisation rolling.

Although they won't be actually approving any new projects - in large part because no applications have been made - they will be voting on having District staff "Develop a Planning Framework to guide decision-making."

Here's my letter of support.  Click here to send yours.

October 4, 2013

Mayor Richard Walton
District of North Vancouver
Municipal Hall
355 West Queens Road,
North Vancouver, BC

Re: Lynn Valley Town Centre
Alternative Implementation Planning Directions

Dear Mayor Walton and Council,

I would like to urge you to approve Option Three, titled “Develop a Planning Framework to guide decision-making (generally based on a 5- storey height limit with maximum 8 storeys at strategic locations; additional height considered on a case-by-case basis).”

Surely the District has invested enough time, energy, and money in seeking out the opinions of those opposed to re-developing the Lynn Valley Centre area. I cannot see that anything more is to be gained by hosting more meetings, gathering more opinions, or encouraging more letter writing.

Lynn Valley Center and the area surrounding it are in desperate need of renovation. Delaying this work will do nothing but damage the District, the property owners, and the people of Lynn Valley.

I especially encourage you to make it a priority to find a redevelopment plan for the Bosa property. The mall is losing tenants on a regular basis, and time is of the essence. With their latest designs Bosa have demonstrated that they are prepared to create a development proposal that addresses both community concerns and their needs as investors and developers.

Now is the time for Council to begin to move this work ahead.

From the perspective of a Lynn Valley resident, I am particularly interested in seeing the District maximize the impact from Community Amenity Strategy (CAC) items. These are the things that will make the Lynn Valley Town Centre a lively and successful place.

I would especially urge you to make the development of cultural and arts facilities a priority in the Lynn Valley development. You need only look at the tremendously successful Kay Meek Centre in West Vancouver, or the Shadbolt Centre in Burnaby, to see how lacking the District is in essential cultural infrastructure.

Every time that I visit the Shadbolt Centre I'm overwhelmed by the breadth of their programming – visual arts, dance, music – and wish that we had something similar on the North Shore.

Every time that I attend a concert or event at the Kay Meek Centre I am frustrated that the District has no public facility to match it.

You now have an opportunity to create a similar institution in Lynn Valley, a place where students and performers can gather; where artists can work and show their work, and which will allow our young creative artists to train and work in the District instead of traveling to Vancouver or Burnaby.

Surely these facilities are at least as important as playing fields, bike paths, and skate parks.

Over the last several years we have seen municipal elections,the lengthy Official Community Plan process, the many Lynn Valley specific planning events, and thousands of hours of staff and Council time invested into defining the future of Lynn Valley.

The District has studied traffic, has projected population and demographic changes, has commissioned studies, and has examined best practices from other locales. Surely you have learned enough that you can now make decisions

Enough is enough. Now is the time for Council to show real leadership and to starting moving the redevelopment of the region ahead.

Delaying change while trying to satisfy every single complaint will get us no-where.

Instead it is imperative that Council show leadership and look at the big picture, and at the long term future of Lynn Valley, and make those decisions that will give us a livable and sustainable community in Lynn Valley.

To be frank: there is a part of Lynn Valley's population – a minority to be sure – that will never ever be satisfied with any change. This group would rather that see the middle of Lynn Valley become a barren, empty parking lot than see anything built there.

Please don't let these people undermine the vision that is expressed in the Official Community Plan.

Yours sincerely,

Barry Rueger