Dear Editor:
I am not against change or growth. Born and bred in North Vancouver, I have witnessed both during the past 61 years; much of which I love and some of which I abhor. With the new OCP draft now before council, I think the residents of the City of North Vancouver have a wonderful opportunity to tell council what we want the city to look like in 50 years time.
I know councillors say they are open to this. My only fear is that the current council - like most councils today - sees growth as the paramount starting point in this process.
I most certainly, do not. North Vancouver is not a big city, area wise. Its growth potential is mainly up. We have no other option and I, quite frankly, don't like this for a number of reasons. One being, there are only so many ways into North Vancouver and the more people we have, the more congestion we will experience, and the lower the quality of living in the city will inevitably become.
Yes, we can grow. But I want that growth to be limited and not become the defining goal of the OCP or the mantra of subsequent councils.
Right now we live in a wonderful city. My emphasis is on the word "live." If we grow too much and put too much emphasis on growth, I have to wonder if we will be creating a livable city. I think not. All we will have is a place to exist. That is not the North Vancouver I want to see or bequeath to the next generations.
I say yes to change, but not to the type of growth we have witnessed over the past decade or two. Put a curb on growth and more emphasis on livability. A bigger tax base does not translate into a better city or a livable city.
Rick Harrison
North Vancouver
