Peace Arch News – Foes, supporters out in force for White Rock development.

Residents for and against a 12-storey project proposed for Vidal Street packed White Rock city hall to overflowing Monday.

Of the nearly two dozen who spoke, more than half – including a number who currently call the site home and the project’s architects – voiced support, describing the concrete residential complex as an attractive, responsible one that will help revitalize the city.

“This is the kind of project that will put White Rock on the map,” said Judy Tallas. “This building will be the prototype for future projects… a project that will set a precedent for White Rock’s growth.”

Opponents argued its height and density are inappropriate for the neighbourhood, and cited impacts to views, property values and a lack of infrastructure.

Read more: http://www.peacearchnews.com/news/205684661.html

DNV mulls Lower Capilano draft plan.

District of North Vancouver council appears poised to pass its Lower Capilano – Marine Village Centre Implementation Plan.

If approved next month, the plan will set the stage for the next 20 years of growth and a total redevelopment in the area between Marine Drive and Fullerton Avenue on either side of Capilano Road.

The plan envisions about 1,200 more units of housing in townhouses, mid-rise condos and highrises, 100,000 square feet of commercial space, as well as a public plaza, green space and a new community centre. At an informal workshop Monday, council members reflected on the draft and the two years of consultation that produced it.

“I’m very excited to see the draft at this stage because it has been informed by so much community engagement, right down to the kitchen table,” said Coun. Alan Nixon. “I feel really confident the temperature that has been taken within the community is 98.6 F and we’re in good shape. There are going to be a few tweaks but the most common comment I hear is ‘When can we get on with it?'”

The Seylynn Village project website has been launched: www.seylynn.ca . The 720 unit, 3-tower project is being built by Denna Homes and marketed by Pacesetter Marketing. It appears that each tower will comprise a separate phase.

Burnaby NewsLeader – Stuck in redevelopment limbo near Brentwood.

Wiinton Williams will likely one day get a nice windfall from the sale of a property he owns in the Brentwood area. Today, though, his industrial property has a breathtaking property tax bill based solely on its development potential. If only he could develop it.

2450 Alpha Ave

 For now, with the taxes so high, he’s having trouble just leasing out the place. Williams says he can’t redevelop his property and sell it for what it could be worth because Burnaby city hall has been slow to come up with an area plan.

Since 1993, his company, Vernon-based Sako Pacific Properties Ltd. has owned the property at 2450 Alpha Ave. in Burnaby where it also owned and operated Universal Concrete Accessories, a business that first opened there in 1970.

Starting in 1995, Burnaby city hall started sending Williams’ company notices about redevelopment plans for the Brentwood area, including the industrial lands south of Dawson Street where Sako’s property is located.

Read more: http://www.burnabynewsleader.com/news/204309651.html

As we reported back in February, Brenhill Development is planning a 36-storey mixed use building at the corner of Richards and Helmcken with 344 market residential strata units (including 5, 2-level townhouses at grade), 110 market rental units and a private school.

In response to comments from the Urban Design Panel, the tower has been redesigned to lower the density slightly from 17.40 FSR to 17.10 FSR, and to reduce the floorplate from 10,300 SF to 10,130 SF. The site is a 15,000 SF site which is being expanded to 21,000 SF through the acquisition of lanes to the west and north.