Order up. District of North Vancouver is looking to allow a restaurant to move into a long-vacant commercial space in the Lynn Creek neighbourhood.
Despite being the first high-rise built in the massive Seylynn Village, no business has ever occupied the unit in the Compass building at 150-680 Seylynn Cres. When the entire site was rezoned in 2012, the council of the day limited the use of the unit to personal services, office, retail or take-out food – not a full-service, sit-down restaurant. The owners of the commercial space in the Compass building have been trying to introduce one since 2022.
If approved, the owners will construct more washrooms and a commercial kitchen, as well as a mezzanine inside the double-height space to accommodate more seating.
Because the available parking under the Compass building is almost entirely spoken for, the owners had to negotiate with the neighbouring Apex building to acquire restaurant parking spots there.
When district staff consulted residents in the area about the proposed change, some had concerns about increased traffic, restaurant odours and potential rodent problems. Others supported the idea of having a restaurant and community gathering place within walking distance, and the economic benefits that would bring.
The strata council at the Compass building has passed a resolution in support of the restaurant plan.
At a meeting on Monday, council was asked to vote on whether to forego a public hearing prior to holding a future vote on amending the zoning, but council members spoke warmly about the concept for the area, which is otherwise a bit of a restaurant desert.
“I do believe, on balance, it would be best for this community and the broader community to allow this amendment,” said Coun. Jim Hanson. “I do not believe any of the concerns that were raised are likely to have significant impact on the surrounding neighborhood.”
Coun. Jordan Back specified he wasn’t concerned about the parking arrangements.
“There’s lots of people that have moved into that neighborhood, and I think this is exactly the kind of place that they’re looking for,” he said. “I see it as kind of a local restaurant. I think the majority of the customer base will probably be walking.”
Coun. Lisa Muri also didn’t object to the restaurant concept, however she did lament that it has been such a challenge to draw in the businesses – particularly grocery stores – needed in the burgeoning town centres in Lynn Creek and Lions Gate. She added that council should have been more prescriptive in the rules for new developments there.
“Hindsight is 20-20,” she said. “You offer the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker and you have a sustainable community. We sadly just continue not to try to achieve that.”
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