Newsletter – November 2020

Dear ADRA member
Here is an update of what’s been happening in our seaside villages over the past few weeks.  A separate email will be following shortly regarding the Klee Wyck property.  This item is on the Council agenda for December 7th so please watch for this important update!


ARTS CENTRE SURVEY/SUMMARY OF RESULTS
ADRA members recently completed a survey on the proposed Arts Centre, the top project identified by Council as part of their 2020/2021 Strategic Plan.A summary of the results showed a general reluctance to the notion that the DWV should undertake major projects with significant financial implications in 2021 and in particular, that an Arts Centre should not comprise a major project in the coming year.  A copy of the results have been sent to Mayor and Council asking if the Strategic Plan will be revised given the current COVID economic and health crisis.   A complete analysis of the survey is available at:   ADRAwestvan.ca


AMBLESIDE STREETSCAPES
Construction work continues at the 14th Street and Marine Drive Intersection.  Work continues as part of a plan approved by Council in 2013.  Creation of bumpouts and repaving on the south side are funded through development.  Reconstruction work on the north side is funded by Translink as Marine Drive is a designated corridor in the Major Road Network.  More details are available:westvancouver.ca/transporation-roads/major-projects/ambleside-projects


DUNDARAVE/ PALM TREES 
Seven palm trees have been recently planted in Dundarave Park.  These trees were donated to West Vancouver by Earls restaurant. Dundarave Park, already home to palm trees, was chosen as the new location for these mature palm trees.   The new trees provide shade for beach users, and there are plans to include dune grass, driftwood logs, and additional benches in the area. Staff have undertaken the installation within available resources. 


DUNDARAVE/TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES
Council approved a temporary Pilot Program to allow businesses to apply online for an extension of outdoor space  through to October 3, 2021.  The District is working closely with the ADBIA and local businesses to support them in this uncertain economic environment, while helping them to adhere to the health and safety requirements of the Provincial Health Officer.  Council welcomes feedback from the community. https://westvancouver.ca/economy/covid-19-business/temp-outdoor 

FILMING IN DUNDARAVE AND JOHN LAWSON PARK   
Netflix feature will be filmed in the playground of John Lawson Park on Monday, November 30 and Tuesday, December 1. The playground will be closed.  As a thank you from the production, look for additional picnic benches in the spring. Please expect intermittent pedestrian and traffic delays in Dundarave on Wednesday, December 2. https://westvancouver.ca/news/filming-dundarave-and-john-lawson-park

Newsletter October – 2020

OCTOBER 20TH  @ 6 PM –  PUBLIC HEARING – COACH HOUSE INFILL-
1186 DUCHESS AVENUE

An application has been made to add a Coach House onto a 33 ft. lot where the existing house has already been built out to the maximum allowed Floor Area Ratio*(FAR).  Initially Coach Houses were allowed to be built on lots where the existing structure did not exceed the FAR.* The addition of a Coach House on this particularly small lot requires spot rezoning.  
For further details please visit  

https://westvancouver.ca/home-building-property/planning/major-applications/1186-duchess-avenue

OCTOBER 29TH & NOVEMBER 5TH – INGLEWOOD CARE CENTRE

Baptist Housing will host public information meetings on their proposal for a 699 unit development at Inglewood Care Centre site and adjacent acquired properties. Considerable additional floor area is proposed – much of it allocated to non-care purposes such as staff accommodation and ‘Life-Leases’ similar to condos. 

For more information see our HOT-TOPICS tab.

ARTS FACILITY SURVEY

Last chance to complete the ADRA Arts Facility Survey:

https://forms.gle/e6Hw4sokgdP8yMx99

MISCELLANEOUS:

DON’T KNOW WHO TO CALL?

Do you have questions, need information about operations within the District of West Vancouver?  Contact:

Natalie Roizman, COMMUNITY RELATIONS LIAISON
604-925-7008      [email protected]

DWV NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!

Would you like to get more involved with the DWV?  Volunteers are needed on a number of committees.  Applications may be submitted to 4:30 pm on October 23rd.  Check the DWV website to access the Community Involvement Application Form or call Legislative Services 604-925-7004.

TRAFFIC AND CORNER BUMPOUTS

If you have noticed the proliferation of concrete “Bump-Outs” and the “Slow Streets” notices on Bellevue – write to us with your comments regarding how easy (or otherwise) it is to drive around West Van!  [email protected]

Cypress Village / Rodgers Creek “Rezoning”

This Post is Re-printed from West Vancouver Community Stakeholders Association-
Massive 7 tower Rodgers Creek project – Public Rezoning Hearing – Nov 19 – 7pm
British Pacific Properties proposes nearly 700 for-sale condos and 250 rental units to bring total development to nearly 1,000 units (2,000+ people). Scant details include:Seven Towers up to 16 storeys including two 12-storey rental Towers. No details on parking for estimated 2,000+ cars.How many residents will use proposed private bus service to Park Royal?For higher density, DWV proposes BPP pay $7 million Community Amenity Contribution.$2 million of CAC reportedly to be used to build / lighting for trails in the development.And DWV is reportedly to own a rental tower.Think of Traffic Congestion on 22nd and 15th Streets, Taylor Way and Lions Gate Bridge by additional 2,000+ residents. What is Council doing about this #1 issue identified by residents?

Higher Density: 67% of West Van residents polled in recent Angus Reid survey were opposed to increasing our population by building more high-density apartment buildings and condos.

DWV’s Climate Emergency: Council already approved the tree clear-cutting (photo below) and 5 Creeks big pipe project to support this project. Concrete is a major contributor to GHG.

CACs in perspective: Carolanne Reynolds notes that this is more than twice the number of units in the two Park Royal towers currently being built. Park Royal offered $21 million in CACs for their development, BPP is offering $7 million. DWV staff refuses to provide their CAC calculations. 

If this massive project‘s density, traffic congestion and CAC calculation concerns you,please email [email protected]. Public input after Nov 19 will not be accepted. 

Arts Facility Plan

Please click the link below to see the October 1st update to the Arts Facility Planning document

https://adrawestvan.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/64/2019/10/Arts-Facilities-Planning-Update-October-1_-2019-3.pdf

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Here is a recap of the AFAC Meeting with WVD held (16th Oct.) by Judy Chalmers of ADRA :

Site Identification


The sites that were identified were on the list ONLY because they are District owned properties.  There would be criteria that would need to be met so they were on the list because they were considered but some would not be an option

The criteria that the committee members evaluated each site on ( a scale of 1-5) were:


-Connectivity with Arts and Culture Community
-Placemaking / Destination Ability
-Functional Appropriateness
-Pedestrian/Vehicle/Public Transit Access
-Economic Connectivity
-Future Flexibility
-Parking and Loading
-Neighbourhood Enhancement
-Sustainability
-Alignment with District’s Planning and Policy
-Development Timing
-Development Complexity
-Financial Efficiency

At the next meeting ( October 30 ) Cornerstone Consultants will present  and review the site analysis findings.

The District owned sites are:

  • Ambleside Field H
  • Ambleside Tennis Courts
  • 3 sites adjacent to the Ferry Building
  • Music Box and Silk Purse
  • John Lawson Park parking lot
  • Lawn Bowling site
  • S.A. C
  • Art Museum
  • Lots adjacent (east) of the fire hall
  • Library Parking Lot
  • Gordon House
  • Dundarave Park

    Keep in mind theses are ONLY IDENTIFIED as they are District owned properties, and may NOT even be considered as options due to MANY factors! For example: a site would be considered but has not been discussed, or is not an option…using the Library and Lawn Bowling, Dundarave Park as examples. There will also be private property options identified at a later date.

    Site size analysis was presented for the two options ( 1 or 2 buildings ) which was:
  • 1 storey with surface parking
  • 1 storey with underground parking
  • 2 storeys with surface parking
  • 2 storeys with underground parking

    Future AFAC meeting timeline
  • October 30 – review site analysis findings to draft a report
  • November 13 – review draft report        – develop community workshop material
  • November 20 – Community Workshop with stakeholders
    At this workshop the top 3 sites would be presented with massing models, land values, and cost to build.  At the public Q&A I asked if it would  be possible for an estimated build time-frame also.
    A possible date for presentation to Council would be end of January.

    With regards to Klee Wyck:  there is a Sub Committee to determine the short term and long term plans for that site.
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