IT may be too big and too broad, but a newly approved seniors centre will afford Edgemont's elders a chance to leave their homes without leaving their neighbourhood.
The 115-unit, three-storey Edgemont Senior Living facility earmarked for Canfield Crescent near Woodbine Drive and Highland Boulevard won a crucial rezoning Monday, with District of North Vancouver council voting 4-3 in favour of the project.
The rezoning of six single-family lots allows the developer to buy 9,741 square feet of Canfield Crescent, effectively green-lighting the project.
Located adjacent to the commercial core of Edgemont Village, the seniors home is slated to include a minimum of 15 assisted-living units and 12 to 23 care rooms for seniors with mental health problems such as dementia.
While the majority of council expressed misgivings about the project's size, Mayor Richard Walton placed a greater emphasis on giving seniors a compelling housing option.
"If my father had been able to spend the last three or four years of his life, and my mother, at Edgemont, they would've had the world open to them," he said.
The piece of land in question is the only one in the vicinity that could provide a home for active seniors, according to Walton.
"There are no other locations, and quite frankly in this business it's location, location, location," Walton said.
The units may not attract enough seniors, according to Coun. Mike Little, who voted against the project due to concerns about its size and the effect it would have on the neighbourhood.
"There's a tremendous demand for downsizing in that community, but not downsizing to such small units," he said.
The majority of speakers at a recent public hearing criticized the seniors home proposal as a misplaced monolithic structure that would dwarf the one-storey ranchers on its perimeter.
"I just don't think I want to change the character of Edgemont so significantly for something that I don't know is tried and tested," Little said.
North Vancouver's Cedar Springs Retirement Residence currently has a 34 per cent occupancy, according to Little, who said many seniors don't move into a facility until they're in their 80s.
"Seventy is the new 50," he said. Edgemont Senior Living may not be immediately successful, according to Walton.
"I don't think for a second this facility's going to be full in the first year, in the second year. It may take a few years," he said.
Edgemont was once reminiscent of a prairie town, according to Walton, who recalled both open ditches and the contention that greeted Highland House. A huge number of people fought that tooth and nail, he said.
The neighbourhood needs to continue to change, Walton said.
The project provides council with a unique opportunity to fill a housing need, albeit in a facility that is likely too big, according to Coun. Robin Hicks.
Monthly rents at the facility range from about $3,000 per month for a studio unit to $5,500 for a two-bedroom unit. Meals are included.
"Only those who have sizable means or who have homes they will be able to sell will be able to afford it," Hicks said, adding that townhouses would come with a similar price tag.
"I think I support this facility with some reluctance," Hicks said.
The developer would have to provide the district with approximately $500,000 worth of community benefits. The half-a-million figure is equivalent to 50 per cent of the estimated increase in land value.
Out of a total of 103,000 square feet, approximately 18,000 square feet consist of common areas and space for activities.
The project is slated to offer 90 days of registration solely for Edgemont/Upper Capilano seniors.
