WEST Vancouver's Marine Drive will be reduced to one lane westbound at 22nd Street for about 20 months while the Pacific Arbour seniors' residence is built.
But a proposal to extend the closure of a lane to the block in front of the West Vancouver community centre ran into gridlock at council. While the lane in front of the construction site will be needed for trucks servicing the site, especially during concrete pours, staff had proposed extending the closure a block further to allow for temporary parking for construction workers.
The concern, said Bob Sokol, director of planning for West Vancouver, is that if parking isn't provided for those workers they will park in residential areas, worsening the impact for area residents.
Councillors, however, were worried about traffic.
"This sets a bad precedent," said mayor-elect Michael Smith, while Coun. Michael Evison complained "some people take 10 minutes to park," with no way for cars to go around.
At council's request, only the section of road between Gordon Avenue and 22nd Street will be closed, and staff will investigate other options. The closures should begin the week of Nov. 21.
