Dear Editor:
Regarding your June 3 story, City Rejects Density 'Bank':
On behalf of the Burrard Yacht Club I am writing to correct the impression left by council, but correctly reported by your reporter, that the Burrard Yacht Club was seeking a windfall benefit.
The comments made by staff and council during the council meeting on Monday, May 28 regarding the club's application to amend the City of North Vancouver Official Community Plan were incorrect. The club's OCP application request was not made to fund the upgrade of club facilities.
The City of North Vancouver previously approached the Burrard Yacht Club to achieve access for their published routing of the North Shore Spirit Trail through the club's waterfront property.
As an active and socially responsible member of the North Shore community, the Burrard Yacht Club wholeheartedly endorses the Spirit Trail and has been in discussions with the city for a number of years to achieve this mutually desired goal. However, the financial requirements to achieve this goal are significant because most of the club's land-based facilities will need to be relocated to implement the plan. To finance these modifications at a minimum cost to all parties concerned, the club was encouraged by the city to make the OCP amendment application. The club was shocked when the proposal was unanimously rejected on May 28 by both city staff and council.
The Burrard Yacht Club does not want to develop its property or need assistance with funding facility upgrades. As a responsible member of the local community the Burrard Yacht Club was simply pursuing a cost-effective method of financing the site modifications that would be required to allow access for the Spirit Trail through its property in an effort to share the waterfront with all residents of the North Shore.
Lea Bancroft, Commodore, Burrard Yacht Club
