DISTRICT of North Vancouver residents who want to have a say in the future of the Lynn Valley core are invited to a series of workshops and open houses over the next three weeks.
The town centre is one of four spots in the district earmarked for concentrated growth over the next 20 years.
The Lynn Valley hub has been viewed as a means of addressing what Mayor Richard Walton called a "demographic exodus" among district residents between the ages of 20 and 40. By including affordable townhouses and mid-rise as well as highrise apartments, the district could attract young adults and young families back to the district.
While plans are subject to change, early designs for the town centre include a high-density pedestrian-oriented realm with a mix of retail, shops and housing. A major section of the mall would be retained in the 20-year plan.
The prospect of tall buildings casting long shadows in the mostly single-family neighbourhood has rankled some residents who envision their suburban streets turning into urban avenues.
A January council meeting brought out several worried residents, some of whom found the planned development reminiscent of the Olympic Village. Other residents suggested the development as planned would fail to bring good-paying jobs to the district.
Coun. Alan Nixon assured the Lynn Valley community he would support their wishes while underlining the ramifications of doing nothing. "If we don't engage in some change and some densification, we're not going to have the money to be able to provide some of those community amenities," Nixon said at the January meeting.
The community engagement should delve deeply into the value proposition for residents, according to a report penned by district policy planner Karen Rendek. The height and density of prospective development will be linked to the open space, daycare centres and other community benefits supplied by the developer, according to Rendek.
The district has scheduled open houses at Lynn Valley recreation centre on June 1, Lynn Valley Library on June 5, as well as two sessions at Argyle secondary on June 8 and 12.
The community consultation phase is expected to continue through the fall.
The district received two preliminary highrise applications for Lynn Valley in 2012. Neither application is currently being considered by the district, according to district communications officer Jeanine Bratina.
The applicants, Bosa Development Corp. and Safeway, are each set to participate in the public input process before deciding on their next move.
The Bosa project consisted of 14-and 22-storey residential towers along with two six-storey buildings, bringing 439 apartments to Lynn Valley.
Former West Vancouver Mayor Mark Sager has been retained by Bosa to explore development options, according to Bratina.
The Safeway project, penciled in at East 27th Street facing Whiteley Court, was for a 165-unit, 22-storey highrise perched over a 59,000 square foot store.
For more information visit dnv.org/article.asp?a=5715.
