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.
Do you love Ambleside and Dundarave? Do you support quality of life principles? Then consider joining ADRA. Our active members share an interest in our community, but don’t all live here.
Read what others are saying:
https://westvancouver.ca/government/mayor-council/write-mayor-council/2019-correspondence-mayor-and-council
Watch a Council Meeting On-Line
https://westvancouver.ca/government/mayor-council/council-videos
INITIAL CONSULTATION:
Below Market Housing at 2195 Gordon Avenue
https://www.westvancouverite.ca/gordon
LAST DAY FOR FEEDBACK ON BELOW MARKET HOUSING AT 2195 GORDON IS MARCH 15, 2019.
Click below to take survey. (Hint: Ignore questions where your choice is not listed.)
https://www.westvancouverite.ca/gordon/survey_tools/survey
1. detailed meeting notes:
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4341359f8684b4a74e95a7f77/files/30ba253c-76f5-4688-8ec9-be1254768113/ADRA_MEETING_WITH_DISTRICT.pdf
4. Questions and Answers:
https://www.westvancouverite.ca/gordon?tool=qanda#tool_tab
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
2019 Outgoing President’s Report
Democracy cannot exist without the active and informed participation of citizens in political and civic issues. It is vital that citizens identify and promote their interests, values and priorities so that elected officials may listen and respond accordingly. The health of the community and your quality of life depends on this! While we may like to think our quality of life can be guaranteed by a periodic visit to a ballot box – it cannot. One cannot simply rely on public servant and elected officials to take care of your interests without actively participating. Regrettably, this sometimes proves to be unduly challenging.
The most consistent complaint ADRA hears is that community engagement activities are biased or designed to lead participants to a pre-determined outcome – which unfortunately prompts many to disengage. Therefore, not only is participating important – so is supporting and promoting transparent and objective processes. Processes where individuals and communities are able to exert influence bring about change. We need a thriving culture of civic participation – not one that is fearful of polite applause. Continuous improvement of these processes is something we should all strive for.
This past year, in addition to our ongoing efforts to keep you informed and involved, ADRA held not one, but two very successful candidate meetings, one for mayoralty candidates and the other for councillor candidates. (The audio transcripts of these meetings may become of interest during the council term.) While we were challenged by the scarcity of available community space to hold these events, were pleased that both drew large, and ultimately very appreciative crowds. The unsolicited community feedback we received about these events was overwhelmingly positive.
While we have yet to have members B-Line questions posed December 5, answered, we did hold a successful B-Line Town Hall meeting that again attracted a standing room only crowd.
Another successful event was the B-Line Town Hall meeting we recently held. Again, we attracted a standing room only crowd. Many of these were first time participants who essentially found an issue on their doorstep they could just not ignore. There are some who will try to dismiss this as NIMBYism – but this label is almost always unfair.
First of all, people SHOULD care about what occurs in their back yard. Such actions should never garner criticism as and there is nothing wrong with standing up for your own community and with fellow citizens who want to preserve their quality of life. It is unfair to paint such people as obstructionists when there is actually far more nuance to an issue and a genuine desire to see better options. Not all change is worth embracing and we have a right to protect the things we care about.
Solving a problem, any problem, should not mean creating serious new ones. It should entail maintaining or improving our quality of life, not eroding it. Changes should enrich our lives, support our health, and increase our prosperity not threaten our safety, harm our health, and destroy our natural beauty. It is my hope that the B-Line issue will shake some from political passivity and empower them to actively contribute to improve our beautiful community.
Upcoming issues worthy of your informed involvement include:
- the Ambleside Local Area Plan,
- the Gordon Avenue project, and
- the ubiquitous issue of genuine community engagement and public influence
I’d like to thank your ADRA Board of Directors who have volunteered much time and effort to better our community: Ray Richards, Heather Mersey, Elaine Fonseca, Neil Carroll, Judy Chambers, and Sandra Leidl. I regret being unable to attend in person to give each of these people my sincere thanks and wish the upcoming board my best wishes for an informed, involved and engaged community.
Sincerely, Scenery Slater
IMPORTANT DATES
March 15, 2019
LAST DAY FOR FEEDBACK ON BELOW MARKET HOUSING AT 2195 GORDON Click below to take survey. (Hint: Ignore questions where your choice is not listed.)
https://www.westvancouverite.ca/gordon/survey_tools/survey
More on the B-Line
As part of Phase One of the Mayors’ Council 10-Year Vision, a proposal for a new rapid B-Line service (Phibbs Exchange in North Vancouver to Lonsdale Quay to Dundarave in West Vancouver) has been developed to address regional and local needs, and to improve the speed, reliability and convenience of transit service across the North Shore
For further information, click below:
Am I the last voice against Skytrain toUBC?
-relationship between developers and transit
https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2019/01/29/Last-Voice-Against-SkyTrain-to-UBC/
Who is Transit for? (Vancouver Sun, Feb. 4, 2019 p. A7)
–relationship between developers and transit
Elizabeth Murphy: Region needs to reconsider Broadway subway to UBC
To “B” or not to “B” (West Vancouver Magazine, Feb, 2019 p. 6)
https://issuu.com/turnermedia/docs/westvancouvermagazine-jan2019/6
The B-Line in Kerrisdale
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/41st-avenue-b-line-kerrisdale-road-changes
More on Affordable Housing
- Why real estate ‘supply skeptics’ have it all wrong (Financial Post/Vancouver Sun, Feb. 1, 2019 p. C3) -discusses whether increased supply really does improve affordability
2. Severe gap between Income and House Prices in All Metro Vancouver Markets (Vancouver Sun, September 12, 2018)
-shows income needed to purchase Metro property.
Marine Drive Eastbound. Nov. 30, 2018
https://youtu.be/A8ZbDR7Nris
For further information, click below:
https://www.westvancouverite.ca/b-line
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