After high taxes threatened a garden centre’s 62-year run on Mountain Highway, District of North Vancouver council narrowly approved a plan to allow Dykhof Nurseries to move – temporarily – onto Old Dollarton Road.
In a split vote on July 22, council issued a temporary-use permit which allows Dykhof to set up shop on four vacant, district-owned lots in Maplewood for a minimum of three and a maximum of six years.
As the business’s tax burden crept up to around $200,000, Dykhof sold its Mountain Highway property to a developer and, after three generations, the garden shop is now essentially on a month-to-month lease, according to representative John Milligan.
“We have a fourth generation on the way and we’re hoping to be able to have those young teenagers take over again one day,” Milligan said.
Despite being a regular customer, Coun. Betty Forbes voted against granting the permit, explaining she was uneasy with the district serving as a “temporary saviour” for an ailing business.
While Mayor Mike Little largely agreed with Forbes, he reached a different conclusion.
“I’m very concerned that this business might end up becoming dependent on the district,” he said. “That doesn’t mean it’s not worth trying to make it work.”
“It’s a private business and it’s district land,” Forbes explained. “I’m committed to using district land for much-needed housing.”
Given that there has been no effort to allow new housing in that area, that argument doesn’t hold weight, according to Coun. Mathew Bond.
“This is the only option for this business,” he said.
Dykhof Nurseries is a victim of hypothetical value, explained Coun. Lisa Muri.
Because values are determined based on highest and best use – even if council would never allow highest and best use – the garden centre has been paying more taxes than it can afford, she said.
Discussing the departure of Windsor Plywood and other struggling businesses, Muri promised to “go to the wall,” for a business that’s been in the community for 62 years.
Coun. Jordan Back agreed.
“I don’t want to see our community lose businesses like Dykhof,” he said.
Dykhof is slated to pay the district a little more than $103,000 per year for use of the property.
Citing the dangers of “chipping away at the margins of these wetlands,” Wild Bird Trust director Kevin Bell also opposed the permit.
Habitat loss exacerbates climate change, Bell told council, framing the issue as a “first test” of the district’s commitment to mitigating the ongoing climate emergency.
Approximately 32 trees – including a 40-metre poplar with a 120 centimetre diameter – will need to be chopped to make room for the business, which consists of two greenhouses, 27 parking spots and a sales and storage area.
While he said he cherishes the business, Coun. Jim Hanson also cited impacts to wetlands and wildlife.
“The question, ultimately, is: Should we damage this forest for this purpose?” he asked.
For Coun. Megan Curren, the answer was no.
Curren noted that construction could coincide with bird breeding season while removing valuable second-growth trees.
“Every single bit of the district should be viewed as an endangered area,” she said.
Council voted 4-3 to approve the permit with Couns. Forbes, Hanson and Curren opposed.
Dykhof Nurseries can operate out of the 29,512-square-foot site on Dollarton for three years. If both parties choose to renew the arrangement, the gardening centre could remain on the district-owned property for a maximum of six years.
