Dear Editor:
Harbourside could become the newest stand-alone community on the North Shore with very little community input.
Fourteen years ago, Greystone Properties (now Concert Properties) proposed that this 68-acre site known as Fullerton Fill become the newest light industrial and commercial hub of the North Shore. No residential was ever to be contemplated on this site.
The city owned four acres of this property, but the residents received very little benefit. One wonders what the outcome would have been if the project had been community-driven and not developer-driven at the time.
Since the inception of the large auto mall and industrial park, the properties along the waterfront have not been developed, and have been brought forward by developers three times for rezoning to include residential.
Meanwhile, other commercial/light industrial sites have been successfully developed and occupied while remaining within existing zoning.
The public consultation process in this most recent application for rezoning was no more than a public relations show by the developer. In a presentation to council on April 4, members of the community brought up some very serious concerns about that process that still need to be addressed. Check out April 4 video clips eight and nine on the city's website for that meeting if you would like the full story.
The City of North Vancouver has two choices at this time. At the June 27 council meeting council voted to either have the community take a lead role in the process, or continue with the status quo with the city staff reacting to the developer's proposals.
The vote was a deadlock with one councillor missing, so the issue will be discussed and voted on again.
Before this happens, people need to speak up in support of having the community take a lead role as part of a task force.
Ron Polly North Vancouver
