District of North Vancouver council approved a six-storey development near Phibbs Exchange Monday, but despite being billed as affordable housing, the project’s cost was too high for one councillor. The 112-unit Oxford Street development showcases the need for amalgamation between the City and District of North Vancouver, according to Coun. Lisa Muri.
“There’s tons of rental in the City of North Vancouver and if we were one municipality we wouldn’t even be having this conversation,” she said.
The project is a rezoning of four single-family lots between 1561 and 1583 Oxford St. Muri was nonplussed by the building’s size, its design, a lack of green space, and its location on a busy thoroughfare. “The access onto the Second Narrows Bridge has been suggested to come out right in front of this building,” she said.
Other councillors cited the project’s location as a prime attribute. “If ever there was a location in our community where it was appropriate to. .. potentially have a bit of a different model available for a building, this is it,” said Coun. Mike Little, noting its proximity to transit.
Read more: http://www.nsnews.com/news/rental-housing-a-go-near-north-vancouver-s-phibbs-exchange-1.1053957
