THE future of Lynn Valley should be characterized by five-storey midrises that complement the village centre and leave its pristine views unblemished, according to a community group opposed to big developments.
Stop Lynn Valley High-Rises drew 200 or more residents to a standing-room only meeting Tuesday at the Lynn Valley recreation centre.
The meeting came on the heels of a series of workshops organized by the District of North Vancouver centring on four plans to bring as many as 5,000 new residents to the area over the next two decades.
"We've been concerned that there weren't enough choices presented. There were four, and we feel that there should've been a 'none of the above'," according to group chairman Glenn MacKenzie.
A high-density mix of shops and affordable housing is meant to address what Mayor Richard Walton called a "demographic exodus" among residents between 20 and 40 years old.
The catalyst for the formation of Stop Lynn Valley High-Rises was a now-discarded 22-storey tower proposed by Bosa Development, according to MacKenzie.
"That brought people together," he said.
The wave of opposition to the cancelled project has been difficult to deal with, according to former West Vancouver mayor Mark Sager, who is working with Bosa on the new project.
"It's a little bit frustrating because we've publicly said to people: 'We're not doing that.' And they keep going around with this 'stop the highrises'," he said. "Even if the district said, 'We want highrises,' if the owner of the property doesn't want to do it,
it's not going to happen."
The site is rife with challenges, according to Sager. Besides the divided community, Bosa will likely have to pay the district $10 million for the library site, tear down that "old, very ugly four-storey garage," and cope with an empty Zellers building and a 1960s era mall.
"When they've got a huge, big box sitting empty they need to decide whether to proceed or release the space. Obviously it's hurting the mall right now," he said. "It's not something that can wait a year."
Bosa's new proposal will be submitted in mid-or late July, according to Sager. "The district is looking for 5,000 people. We will be a very, very small fraction of that," he said.
MacKenzie said he could support five-storey buildings.
"I think it is generally lower than the tree height, which preserves the natural esthetic of the area, and it's also consistent with most building heights in Lynn Valley," he said.
While the community will change, MacKenzie wants to preserve key aspects of the neighbourhood. "It's selfish in a sense, but it's necessary in terms of protecting - and protecting is stewardship," he said.
Failure to provide housing for young people could have disastrous effects for Lynn Valley according to Coun. Doug MacKay-Dunn, who discussed the issue at a January council meeting.
"This community will quite frankly die on the vine," he said.
MacKenzie disagreed.
"I think the meeting the other night dispelled that crazy idea that we're dead or that we're going to die in Lynn Valley. I think the community showed that it's really strong," he said.
The notice alerting the community of the meeting noted "deceptive methods" employed by the district.
"I guess deception's a strong word, but it's provocative to get people interested," MacKenzie said.
Stop Lynn Valley High-Rises is planning to offer alternative plans for the future of Lynn Valley to council in September.
"We're not just negative. We'd like to look at options, options that fit our needs, the community's needs," he said. "We're looking for help and help with organizing and building. Our doors are open."
