Dear Editor:
Re: Attention West Vancouver Residents advertisement on page 17 of the Friday, April 27 print edition.
I must take issue with this advertisement against the development application for the former White Spot location at Marine Drive and Taylor Way. The ad is objectionable and misleading.
Firstly, the ad, really an opinion piece, is unattributed. The people behind this ad wish to influence citizens’ opinions, but are not prepared to identify themselves or their organization. If they want to push their views, they should either get elected or take responsibility for their opinion pieces. We do not appreciate shadowy, backroom politics playing loose with the facts in an effort to influence public opinion.
This project has had more public input and more redesigns to suit the wishes of neighbours, council and planning staff than probably anything else built in the municipality. It has evolved over several years in the open, and is the better for that public dialogue.
Secondly, the ad is completely misleading in saying that West Van residents will be paying for the subsidized housing spaces and daycare centre included in the design. How can it be – when a developer offers to give these assets to the district (in addition to another $10 million-plus in cash) – that such a gift can be construed as something we are paying for?
This (former White Spot) location is one of a very few places in West Vancouver where it actually makes sense to increase density to help meet our regional growth targets. The developer has met all the requirements and, in addition, this project comes with a significant number of bonuses for the district.
Based on the facts, it deserves your open and unbiased consideration. The public hearing is at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 7 at West Vancouver municipal hall.
Tom Dodd
West Vancouver
Editor's note: North Shore News policy regarding paid advertisements that include an expression of opinion is that these be labelled as “Advertisement” and clearly attributed. We apologize for any confusion this omission may have caused to our readers.
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