THE District of West Vancouver should not have to answer to Metro Vancouver about land use, according to two district councillors who expressed concern about Metro's Regional Growth Strategy.
On Oct. 17, West Vancouver council voted in favour of an amendment put forward by Metro Vancouver which will add 700 hectares in West Vancouver's Upper Lands to a special study area as the district considers potential uses for the land.
Coun. Michael Lewis said he was "not enamoured" with a process that might pit Metro Vancouver's Regional Growth Strategy against West Vancouver's Official Community Plan.
"Whatever we do, we'll end up in front of the Metro board," Lewis said. "The lands that we own should be in our hands, period."
Metro Vancouver staff also recommended protecting 10 hectares of forest, part of the Old Growth Conservancy, by designating the parcel as conservation and recreation land. The forest, located between Cypress Provincial Park and the Upper Levels Highway, is currently general urban land.
Coun. Bill Soprovich said Metro Vancouver should be focused on sewer and water as opposed to West Vancouver's parks, but other councillors disagreed with his assessment.
"We have to work within the confines of Metro Vancouver," said Coun. Shannon Walker, who supported the motion.
Council voted to support Metro Vancouver's amendments, with Couns. Lewis and Soprovich the only votes in opposition.
