Dear Editor:
Re: Heavy Lift at Seaspan Shipyard, April 4.
An open letter to Tony Matergio, vice-president and general manager, Vancouver Shipyards/Seaspan Shipyards:As a resident of Pemberton Heights for the past 25 years my family and I have been able to enjoy the scenic beauty of the mountains and our amazing harbourside and cityscape without any distractions. Both the District and City of North Vancouver have ensured through appropriate planning and zoning measures that the vista was not disturbed by any unsightly or imposing excessive structures. Alas, this vista has been broken by the erection of your firm's massive gantry crane - an intimidating 26-storey structure (as reported in the North Shore News), at your Pemberton Avenue shipyard property - this is in comparison to a current four-or five-storey limitation along the western portion of Marine Drive. I have also been made aware that neither the district nor city have any oversight as to what is built on the property as it falls under the Port Metro Vancouver jurisdiction. This appears once again that the citizens of the area have no input in port decisions; and that your firm in partnership with the port, in your pursuit of economic expansion have proceeded with total disregard of the surrounding neighbourhoods. I appreciate the financial benefits the national shipbuilding program offers to the region and, in particular Seaspan, but it appears that Seaspan has totally overlooked any consideration for the residents of the surrounding areas and the impact that this obtrusive structure has on our daily lifestyle.
Mort Goulding
North Vancouver
