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LETTER: West Vancouver highrise report worth a read

Dear Editor: There have been several mentions in your newspaper recently with respect to the proposed redevelopment of the former White Spot site at Park Royal.

Dear Editor:

There have been several mentions in your newspaper recently with respect to the proposed redevelopment of the former White Spot site at Park Royal. In the interest of being fully informed, I’d draw your reader’s attention to the District of West Vancouver’s staff report on the proposal that addresses most if not all of the concerns that have been raised.

The report notes, for example, that the property “does not serve as a precedent” for future development as there are no other similar properties in West Vancouver. In fact, it is already surrounded by other highrises like the West Royal and Park Royal Towers. And in terms of the official community plan review, it says, “Nothing to be undertaken during the OCP review would provide more insight into the suitability of this proposal.”

The report acknowledges that traffic is a major concern at Marine Drive and Taylor Way; however, it also notes that the proposal’s location “indisputably enjoys the most frequent and highest capacity transit service within the district.”

According to the traffic study, it says this mixed-use development “would generate less traffic than a fully commercial project that complied with the existing zoning.” It also notes “that the vision for this site should not be overridden by nearby traffic conditions that are in essence generated in aggregate by the entire North Shore.”

Although generally supportive of the proposal, the district staff recommends slight reductions in density and height before it proceeds further, which indicates they are responsive to community input.

I urge your readers to gain clarity and a more complete picture by reading this timely and comprehensive report on the District of West Vancouver’s website.

Mary Lou Gazeley
West Vancouver

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