Dear Editor:
I read Hazen Colbert's Oct. 3 letter to the editor (Lynn Valley Highrises Don't Meet OCP Aims) with considerable interest and agree with the points she made regarding the proposed redevelopment of Lynn Valley Shopping Centre.
Hazen Colbert is also correct with the statement that there is "massive, unwavering community opposition to highrises" at this shopping mall.
I have lived within a two-minute walk from Lynn Valley Shopping Centre for almost 33 years. In that time I have witnessed drastically increased motor vehicle traffic in and around the centre - to the point where it is often unsafe for neighbourhood residents to walk to the centre to do their shopping.
One neighbourhood resident was struck by a motor vehicle on East 27th Street about five years ago and is still dealing with her injuries. Another resident was struck and killed by a motor vehicle in a marked crosswalk adjacent to the south side of the centre.
This neighbourhood is nowhere near capable of handling the increased traffic and parking that the proposed 22-storey commercial/residential tower would bring. And, as Hazen Colbert writes, Lynn Valley residents want the redevelopment to fit into the existing character of the neighbourhood. Given that there is only one highrise tower in Lynn Valley - the 16-storey Kiwanis Tower - the proposed tower would be totally out of character for this neighbourhood.
I have written to the District of North Vancouver stating my strong opposition to this redevelopment project. A reply stated that two public hearings will be called before a decision by district council is made to either approve or deny the redevelopment application.
But the feeling among neighbourhood residents is that this redevelopment project is a "done deal" - based solely on the increased tax revenue that it would bring to the district.
I certainly hope that is not the case. The quality of living and safety of neighbourhood residents should be given at least equal consideration by council as the redevelopment process moves forward.
Dan Stinson North Vancouver
