North Vancouver District 1995 Business Type — Martin Millerchip Council Reporter LONG-RANGE planning issues facing North Vancouver District residents and their munic- ipal planning staff include: Aging If current residents remain. the dis- trict’s over-65 population — will increase from 9% in 1991 to 25% in 2021. Should the district increase the supply of seniors’ housing to enable more seniors to remain in the community? Should new neighbor- hood centres that address the needs of an aging population be developed? Should the district be developing seniors’ centres to provide older residents with access to social, health and recreational activities? ‘Economic Development Only 24% of employed district residents work in the municipality. Approximately 60% of North Shore jobs are filled by non-residents. © A full 43% of licensed businesses resident in the district are home- based. The office and services sector is the fastest-growing sector of the district economy. Industrial land is under pressure for residential, retail and other uses. Local businesses are faced with relatively high space coats and “older buildings not designed for new market reatities.” Should the district encourage intensified use of existing industrial land? How can existing industrial jobs be maintained while allowing for new types of industry to locate here? | Should zoning regulations be amended to encourage home-based busi- nesses? What type of new businesses would enhance neighborhood centres? Community Services ‘Community services are delivered in partnership with the province, RCMP, the recreation coramission and health. hospital. school and library boards. Fewer public resources as governments decrease spending will increase ‘the need for alternate funding sources. Partnerships among public, private and non-profit sectors must expatd. Services delivered at the community level! (within the community) will - increase while administrative structures are consolidated, for example school and health boards, ; What services will be important to maintain community livability for the future? Should the district fund increased conumunity access io schoal facilities - during out-of-school hours? ; Discussion papers on these issues, the draft Official Community Plan ; itself and individual response forms can be obtained from district hall, Only careful reading will reveal the different code words and phrases that mean more density. A schedule of public workshops and meetings on the OCP and specific issues is also availabie. Designing compact, complete communities THE WINDRIDGE Village Centre will likely be the last centre designed and built on district-owned land. Existing neighborhood centres could become the focal points of so-called “complete community” redevelopnient. Compact, complete communities provide essential ser- vices while reducing “waste” of land. They maintain the preservation of green space and result in. a minimal reliance on the automobile for transportation. Urban design quality witl determine the ambience of the community. Can good conununity design improve public health and _ safety? Parks and Natural Areas Competing demands for green space include: conservation reserves, natural parks, active recreation areas. sports Sields, civic parks, gardens and watertront access. How can wilderness protection be balanced with recre- ational demands in wilderness areas? How many playing fields and tennis courts are really need- ed? Is improved access to the waterfront a priority for the future? How would that be funded? Are more trail links between neighborhoods and parks required? Housing The district's 1995 population of 78,000 is predicted to grow to 93,000 by 2011. The Greater Vancouver Regional District's Livable Region Plan predicts that figure will grow to 103,000 by 2021. Seventy per cent of the district's housing stock is detached single-family. Household size is shrinking with more people living alone, more single-parent families and a growing number of older residents. Planners suggest that without affordable housing stock young adults and seniors will leave the community, reducing the social and economic benefits of a varied community. Should district housing policies change to encourage smaller units smaller lots, corner duplexes, “granny flats,” secondary suites, mixed commerciai/retail developments? Transportation Reducing reliance on the car and limiting pollution will help to define decisions relating to housing and community design within the Official Community Plan. The plain could emphasize pedestrian paths, sidewalks, cycling routes, mini bus systems and high-occupancy vehicle lanes as efficient strategies to reduce automobile pollution. How can bridgehead traffic gridlock be resolved? Phone 990-3700 for more information.