It’s a busy night in the North Vancouvers as both city and district are set to mull a proposal to connect Phibbs Exchange to the SkyTrain via an express bus across the Ironworkers. Affordability is again on the agenda, as the city considers below-market housing and the district floats two new policies.
District of North Vancouver
Is it time to use The Force?
In a bid to loosen a tight housing market, Coun. Lisa Muri is proposing a Rental, Social and Affordable Housing Task Force. If approved by council, the 11-member team will be charged with finding and recommending innovative solutions to council.
Also concerning housing, Coun. Jim Hanson is calling for district staff to examine the viability of using municipally-owned rental housing for social housing through partnerships with non-profit organizations.
The agenda also includes a park dedication bylaw, which would take 34,848 square feet out of Lynn Canyon Park to facilitate the Lower Lynn Interchange Project. The district has committed to transfer the land as their contribution to the project.
With sluggish growth through the West First Street corridor, both North Vancouver councils are set to consider shifting transit resources toward an express bus across the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing. While the exact route has not been determined, the route would tentatively stretch from Phibbs Exchange to Metrotown.
City of North Vancouver
Besides updates on the bike valet proposal and a pitch to support free transit for youth, city council is set to weigh the merits of a six-storey, 85-unit project at 125 East 20th Street.
The project includes a $400,000 contribution to the Vancouver Resource Society for the Physically Disabled. That sum would fund 10 non-market units rented out at $375 a month.
Following approval of the 2019-28 financial plan – which includes 4.25 per cent tax boost for 2019 – council is set to turn their attention to business in Central Lonsdale. The neighbourhood “pulse” report is intended to help the city identify businesses “on the brink of greatness” as well as those “that may require assistance,” according to a city staff report.
Lastly, anyone who’s ever wondered just what’s brewing on the east side of Lower Lonsdale may want to turn their attention to a proposal that would allow breweries and distilleries on East First Street and East Esplanade to add tasting lounges, essentially creating a brewery district.
West Vancouver
It’s all business in the district, as council is slated to vote on a five-year financial plan – including a 4.78 per cent tax hike – as well as assorted investments in West Van’s assets, infrastructure, grounds and parks.
