City staff seek bonusing study.

The City of North Vancouver may soon look to outside expertise to help get its density bonusing policy in order.

The process by which the city trades extra development density in exchange for community amenities has been a frequent point of contention, both in the community and at the council table, during recent years. City staff are now recommending the city hire an outside consultant to help put together a study meant to tackle a number of issues raised at a public workshop on density bonusing held in the fall.

Among the more frequent critiques at the workshop: that the process lacks transparency and creates confusion; that council goes overboard with density in order to secure community amenities like affordable housing or childcare space; and that there is no benchmark to measure the value of density bonuses, project-to-project to make sure the city is getting a “fair deal.”

Nelson development to go ahead, despite concerns.

Plans for a 38-storey tower and three-storey townhouses on two properties on Nelson Avenue are going ahead despite a handful of concerns brought forward by area residents.

The rezoning application, put forward by developer Concord Pacific, went to second reading at Monday night’s council meeting. The primary concerns regarding the properties at 6530 and 6550 Nelson Ave. focused on the density and shape of the building, loss of the rental housing currently on the two properties, vehicle access and traffic safety, and construction impacts, according to a report from the city’s planning and building department.

The concerns are related to the proposed density and shape of the building related to the amenity density bonus, and the form of the building in relationship to the neighbourhood, the report stated.

The development plan is consistent with council’s policies on density and the plan for the Metrotown area, Lou Pelletier, director of building and planning, stated in the report, and the value of the amenity bonus would be $9.5 million.

The City of Vancouver’s Planning Department and Vancouver Coastal Health are initiating the first phase of a comprehensive planning program to consider the redevelopment of the Pearson Dogwood Lands, located on Cambie Street, between 57^th and 59^th Avenues.

The City of Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) are discussing renewal and expansion plans for the 25.4 acre site of the George Pearson Centre and Dogwood Lodge. Pearson Centre is home to adults with a range of disabilities, while Dogwood Lodge houses seniors who require complex care.

VCH needs to renew the existing site to meet the current and future health care needs of the community and would like the site to provide other uses as well. In the future, this area could welcome new residential, office, retail and community amenity uses.

The City is initiating a comprehensive planning program to create a policy statement to guide the redevelopment of the Pearson Dogwood site. This process will include opportunities for community members and stakeholders to offer their feedback and ideas.

OPEN HOUSE:

Dates & Times

Thursday, January 31^st , 5-8 pm

Saturday, February 2^nd, 10 am – 2 pm

Location:

Pearson Dogwood Project Office, 601 West 59^th Avenue, Vancouver