The Ambleside and Dundarave Ratepayers’ Association (ADRA), is a legally constituted society run entirely by volunteers. We strive to inform and involve our members so they may better influence important issues in their community. Our enviable quality of life is something we wish to maintain, enhance and share.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
TOWNHALL MEETING: B-LINE PROPOSAL
-hosted by Ambleside-Dundarave Ratepayers Association
Goals:
1) Best transit system for West Vancouver
2) Proposal supported by WV citizens
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Seniors Activity Centre
7 p.m.
Councillor Craig Cameron representing Mayor Booth and Council, will speak at this event and be able to address community questions and concerns.
- ADRA members have indicated considerable interest in the B-Line proposal. We believe sharing the most up to date information and clearing up any misconceptions prior to the the District’s outreach event will contribute to that event.
- If possible, please prepare your questions and comments in advance and provide a written copy to the note taker.
- If you have a specific concern, please consider suggesting possible alternative measures.
- We believe our knowledgeable community can provide valuable input to achieve the best transit solution for West Vancouver needs and one that can be widely supported by our community.
Message to Members: Jan. 11, 2018
The first time many citizens became aware that the B-Line was not just an extension of existing bus service was when ADRA advised our members about the District open house information sessions held November 28 and 29, 2018.
On December 5th, 2018, ADRA sent your questions and comments to both WV Mayor and Council and Translink. (copy of questions attached below – attachment #1). Please note we have yet to receive a reply.
Also around this time local businessman, Nigel Malkin struck a group called “Stop the Road Closures” stoptheroadclosures.ca
On January 9th, 2019, the B-Line first appeared on the agenda of the WV Community Engagement Committee. (and narrative about this and other components is below – attachment #2)
On January 10th, 2019, the District announced the intent to hold a public consultation event on January 24th, 2019.. They indicate they will make available to the public B-Line information they say has “already been carefully considered”. They also indicated that “variation of the proposal will not be part of the consultation but overall support for or against will be”.
This means that there is NO PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY to amend or improve the B-Line proposal. Council will either accept or reject the proposal as is.
It is unknown how the district will measure “overall support for or against” or if they will adhere to public input.
To date, District consultation/messaging has focused on promoting/justifying the B-Line option. They have yet to acknowledge the significant number of concerns and criticisms voiced in public correspondence and other venues, (Unless that is what they consider the “misinformation” they have stated is circulating material. Although many have asked, we have yet to clearly determine what misinformation has been circulated.)
The next Council meeting is MONDAY JANUARY 14th, 2019 – at 6PM – While the B-Line is (remarkably) not on the agenda you may speak for up to 3 minutes during the public question period near the end of the meeting.
We also encourage you to email mayorandcouncil@westvancouver.ca or individual council members (contacts all listed on the ADRA and district websites). We recommend you ask that your name not be redacted and appreciate when you copy your messages to ADRA.
Sincerely, Scenery Slater
for
Ambleside & Dundarave Ratepayers Association (adrawestvan.ca)
ATTACHMENT 1: Member Questions and Comments
https://adrawestvan.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4341359f8684b4a74e95a7f77&id=4339ffd088&e=17f62980cb
ATTACHMENT 2: B-Line Timeline and Details
https://adrawestvan.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4341359f8684b4a74e95a7f77&id=c90318415c&e=17f62980cb
Link to North Vancouver B-Line Proposal
https://www.dnv.org/news/update-translinks-marine-main-b-line-rapid-bus-service
MESSAGE TO MEMBERS: Dec. 7, 2018
Ambleside & Dundarave Ratepayers Association members have provided the following questions and comments regarding the B-Line proposal. We are requesting answers from the District of West Vancouver and/or TransLink so we may circulate the information to our general membership.
Please know that our membership has indicated overwhelming support for improved transit and increasing transit ridership, but not all are convinced that the B-Line proposal is the most appropriate way to achieve this.
Thank you to all members who provided feedback. ADRA will circulate responses to the questions and any additional information when it is received.
Click on the links below for further information on the B-Line, the questions and comments.
Sincerely, Scenery Slater
for
Ambleside & Dundarave Ratepayers Association (adrawestvan.ca)
B-Line Proposal:
https://westvancouver.ca/transportation-roads/blue-bus/translink-b-line
Website dedicated to this issue(includes petition and information) created by local businessman, N. Malkin, http://www.stoptheroadclosures.ca/
Contact Translink: bline@translink.ca
Contact Mayor and Council: MayorandCouncil@westvancouver.ca
EXECUTIVE GROUP
660 Clyde Avenue and 657 and 675 Marine Drive (District of West Vancouver)
https://westvancouver.ca/home-building-property/planning/major-applications/executive-group
OFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS
Click on the link below:
https://westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/dwv/assets/gov/docs/Election/2018/ELECTION_2018
PHASE 2 SURVEY FROM THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION ON MOBILITY PRICING:
NEW NORTH SHORE NEWSPAPER
A new newspaper, providing alternative political content is now being published on the North Shore. The Global Canadian is a free publication available in newspaper boxes, coffee shops as well as the Library and Seniors Centre. The January 15-31 edition included many interesting points of view from many different North Shore groups including the one below by by ADRA president Scenery Slater. We invite you use the “share” and “like” buttons included in the below link.
https://www.theglobalcanadian.com/quality-life-vision-ambleside-dundarave-ratepayers-association/
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Real Estate’s ‘Missing Middle’ is Missing for a Reason (Financial Post/Vancouver Sun, December 21, 2018 p. C3)
-polls reveal a strong preference fort low -rise and large-sized housing over mid-rise residences
Money Still Flows into Civic Governance (Vancouver Sun, December 15, 2018, p. A19)
-how developers influence governments
Elizabeth Murphy: Vancouver must stop allowing the development community to set the agenda
New Supply May Not Reduce Housing Prices (Vancouver Sun, December 15, 2018, p. D3)
–migration and other influences on housing demand in Vancouver
Douglas Todd: Will building more housing satisfy migration demand? (Part 2)
Province Should Follow California’s Example (Vancouver Sun, November 7, 2018 p. A7)
-the relationship between density public transit and economics
Condominium Towers Have Changed Metro Forever (Vancouver Sun, Oct. 20, 2018 p. H3)
–growth of condominiums in Metro
False Creek proven model for affordable living (Vancouver Sun, Oct. 20, 2018 p. H3)
Don’t Zone Out – Vote (Vancouver Sun, October 9, 2018, p. A10)
-discusses the shift from livability to growth
The Ups and Downs of Highrise Living (Vancouver Sun, October 6, 2018 p. A9-10)
-discusses pros and cons of highrise living for various demographics
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/douglas-todd-the-ups-and-downs-of-highrise-living
North Shore needs LRT now (North Shore News, Oct. 5, 2018, p A1)
-discusses transportation issues on the North Shore
https://www.nsnews.com/news/north-shore-needs-rapid-transit-now-sfu-expert-1.23453112
Council Candidates Debate West Van’s Future (North Shore News, Oct. 5, 2018, p. A5)
-reports on All Candidate Meeting for Council on Oct. 3
https://www.nsnews.com/news/council-candidates-debate-west-vancouver-s-future-1.23453393
West Van Considers Building Subsidized Housing for Workforce (Vancouver Province,Oct. 3, 2018 website ) -discusses provision of housing for local civil servants
How Taxes Compare Across Metro (Vancouver Sun, September 29, 2018, P. 10)
-compares property taxes in Metro
Daphne Bramham: As Small Businesses Struggle, Sim Fears For Heart, Soul of CIty (Vancouver Sun, September 28, 2018, p. A3)
-how density and zoning affect small business
Duplex zoning is just one way city is Making Room (Vancouver Sun, September 28, 2018 p. A11) -discusses influence of zoning on property values and density
Gil Kelley: Duplex zoning is just the start of city-wide planning process
Duplexes may not Improve Affordability (Vancouver Sun, September 22, 2018 p. A-14)
-discusses influence of zoning on property values and density
Fixing Affordability: Mayoral Candidates in Burnaby, Vancouver and on the North Shore have plenty of ideas (Vancouver Sun, September 22, 2018 P. A-12-13)
-discusses solutions to housing affordability
https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/housing-affordability-feature
Livability Must Not be Forgotten in the Civic Debates About Housing (Vancouver Sun, September 19, 2018 p. A1-A2) -discusses housing affordability and livability
Growth and Affordability (Vancouver Sun, Sept 15, 2018, p. B2)
-discusses the disconnect between growth and affordability.
Vancouver City Hall is slamming through destructive new zoning without giving citizens a say (Vancouver Sun, September 14, 2018)
-relationship between zoning, density, transportation and livability
Growing Supply Making Homes Less Affordable (Vancouver Sun, Sept. 1, 2018 p B2)
-older, more affordable character homes replaced with more expensive new construction
No One is Building Rental Apartments – But There are Ways to Change That (Vancouver Sun, August 17, 2018 p. C2)
Rebellion in the Neighbouhood (Global Canadian Feb 19, 2018)
-discusses growth in West Vancouver
https://www.theglobalcanadian.com/2138-2/
A giant makes a cautious approach (The Globe and Mail, Oct. 21, 2017 p. S4)
-a history of Grosvenor Pacific