West Vancouver council approved a three-storey building on Clyde Avenue and 15th Street Monday.
The height of the mixed-use, eight-unit building proved to be a point of contention between Coun. Bill Soprovich and his colleagues.
The building's third floor includes mezzanine access to rooftop patios, pushing the building's height from 37 to 43 feet and requiring a variance.
The building should be considered four storeys,not three, according to Soprovich. "This is precedent-setting for the whole block. We stated categorically that we would keep Ambleside low except for three sites.. .. Before you know it, it'll be at five and six storeys all over the place. I will not have that in this community," he said, before being drowned out by applause.
Soprovich's concerns would have been more appropriate during the Grosvenor debate, according to Coun. Craig Cameron.
"Someone's found religion late in the day," Cameron said.
Because the building is on the north side of the street it would not cast imposing shadows. It is also a fair distance from the nearest apartment building and not much higher than a nearby hedge.
"It's not blocking anybody's view, it's not setting any precedents that aren't set right across the street," he said.
The mezzanines are massed toward the west side of the building, and "sensitively respond to neighbouring views from the north," according to a staff report.
"Two little pop-ups that are not an entire storey by any means," said Coun. Nora Gambioli. "It's virtually the same as having an elevator shaft up there, which would be much uglier."
The 10-12 month construction phase involved with replacing the one-storey veterinary office currently on the site could create traffic problems, according to Coun. Michael Lewis.
"I'm not concerned about the building, I'm concerned about the building period," he said.
The construction includes a target of LEED silver or higher, although Gambioli urged developers to go for the gold.
"LEED silver is completely outdated," she said.
Nearby trees may be removed during building, something that did not sit well with Soprovich.
"They're at the end of their lives or they're dangerous trees when a development occurs," he saidThe developer will likely pay the district a community amenity contribution of $174,000 for the variance.
Council voted 6-1 to allow the variance with Soprovich opposed.
