ls there still some room to grow in the city by the sea? ORTH Vancouver City is a densely devel- oped urban environment, The city contin- - ucs to grow, More development is planned for the Lower Lonsdale area. As part of our con: tinuing municipal election race coverage the North Shore News asked North Vancouver City candidates this question: How much more Jevel- opment do you think your municipality could sup- port and in wioch areas specifically? Here are their repligs: John Braithwaite, incumbent North Vancouver City council candidate: “1 believe that we are approaching our mas: imum density, “The goal is to attain 40,000 population. That means careful controtled development to house approximarely another 1,500 to 2,000 individuals, The preferred area of development would obviously be in the Lower Lonsdale area which would provide a mixture of housing developments Which should include a cross-section ef our population, including singles, young families and seniors. “In-filling or redevelopment of older housing, both east and west of Lonsdale, will also be included in this rotal, but the main development area, in my opinion, will be in Lower Lonsdale.” Dick Campbell, North Vancouver City mayoralty can- didate: “Of course we must weigh the impact of excessive devel- opment on our city infrastructure and be concerned with anv development that would impact our safety and the quality of life for ourselves and our children, but of equal concern to me is the current pattern of development that is supported by the present administration, which frequently operates in total clisregard of environmental concerns and the wishes of the public. “This was demonstrated by their overwhelming support for development in the environmentally sensitive area of Mosquito Creek, 1 believe that the development of tne Versatile Shipyard area on the waterfront is on everyone’s minds: citizens, businesses and developers, but can a govern- ment. who overwhelmingly sup- ports the development of envi- ronmentally sensitive areas be trusted to develop safe, environ- mentally sound, people-oriented complex along our waterfront? I don’t think so.” Barbara Sharp, incumbent North Vancouver City council candidate: “One of the most obvious places for further devel- opment is Lower Lonsdale. With careful and sensitive planning we can have a jewel in Lower Lonsdale through mixing the arts, affordable and market hous- ing, public green space, local shopping, bicycle access, and maybe even a__ streetcar. Additionally, the Fullerton area and Versatile fands have great potential for development. Studies for contamination and careful studies on safety, livability, how to inject public access to the waterfront, heritage, green space, and community needs will also need to be done. Other than these substantial pieces of land, and the OCP designations, there are no other significant areas left in the City of North Vancouver to develop.” Stella Jo Dean, incumbent North Vancouver City council candidate: “The — Official Community Plan for the City of North Vancouver states that the maximum population should be 45,000. At present the popula- tion is approximately 42,000. “I believe that the city will have reached its maximum after the Lower Lonsdale and Versatile lands are developed, This development will create hundreds of jobs and provide the residential population to bolster business. “Controlling density beyond 45,600 will be a big issue as more growth will try to encroach on single-family neighbor- hoods. We can request people to use public transit, bicycle and car poo! but the auto is here to stay. : “More growth will see our streets turther clogged with traffic, noise and difficulty to park on the street.” Bill Johnson, North Vancouver City council candi- date: “According to my research our city may have to sustain a population of over 50,000 people within the next 25 years. “This represents a projected population growth of approximately 8,500 people or 20%. Substantially less than forecast for the whole of the GVRD, which expects an increase of almost 60% in the same period. “Most of the projected population increase could be accommodated by the development of medium and high- density housing in Lower Lonsdale and the redevelopment of existing commercial properties in both central and Lower Lonsdale to mixed-use occupancies combining, commercial medium and high density residential occupancies.” Jack Loucks, incumbent North Vancouver City may- oralty candidate: “Under the OCL the maximum population we believe the city should have is set at 45,000. “The GVRD is predicting that the region's population is likely to grow from 1.6 to 2.6 million in the next 20 to 23 years, “The regton’s plan tor growth and the city’s plan are very compatible, with the city: providing the majorin of the employment growth for the North Shore near Lonsdale Avenue in Our regionally designated town centre or along, the waterfront. “Residential development should be planned to cample- ment the job growth with most new development focated near Lonsdale Avenue in ground. ori- ented multiple housing for families or in apartments for smaller house- holes.” Philip Marsh, North Vancouver City council candi- date: “Our municipality can support ongoing development and with a comprehensive plan and solid mar- keting strategy, development of . ° Lower Lonsdale city lands and_pri- North Vancouver City vately owned properties, we can attract investment to residential and commercial development. “In addition, development of the western portion of the Versatile Shipyard as a public access marker style with devel- opment of Lonsdale Quay, Fullerton, and Low Level Road.” Sid Mirhashemy, North Vancouver City council can- didate: “1 genuinely or port sustainable redevelopment plans for Power wa Cenual Lonsdale as long as they guarantee: afford- able housings for low income families and senior citizens; their accessibility to shopping centres in addition to better transit ser- vices, “These objectives can be achieved through close cooper- NORTH Vancouver City may be a compact urban area, but the community continues to attract more peo- ple. A worker installs a new roof in the 200 block of East Sixth in the city. ation and consultation between the private and public sec- tor.” Barbara Perrault, incumbent North Vancouver City council candidate: “The City of North Vancouver is only five square miles and has been developed for many years. “At the present time we have a policy of slow growth and in my opinion growth should not exceed the capabilities of existing roads and services. It is estimated that the present underground servicing, systems can accommodate 50,000 to 55,000 people. I would prefer not to see the city exceed a population figure of 45,000, The specific area under rede- velopment now is the immediate corridor along the east and west sides of Lonsdale. “This area is accessible to public transportation and there- fore does provide the best solution for a modest increase in density.” Jim Ramsay, North Vancouver City council candidate: “Given North Vancouver City’s small size and mostly built form, the main plan is set. “Residential zoning reflects good diversity, ranging from single family through duplex and garden apartments to very dense multi-family units. Through agreed Official Community Plan (OCP) changes, some duplex zoned areas (ep. 200-blocks of East 6th and Sth Streers) have heen rezoned to garden apartment areas with a density increase of around 40%, “Redevelopment of Lower Lonsdale including the city- owned hinds will add another few thousand residents at the existing OCT densities and this is probably the limit sup- portable by the land base itself” Csaba (Chubba) Frank Tusko, North Vancouver City council candidate: “My vision: environmental, family friendly and safe neighborhoods connected with the heart of the city reflecting the spirit of goodwill of its diverse population, “Development gives life blood to the city and I support the comprehensive and mixed use developments in’ the Lower Lonsdale and Versatile Shipyard areas, “Architecturally designed so thar it pays homage to the city’s history and connects us to the furure by solving issues on noise, light, and weather. It is neighborhoods that provide the building blocks to a city and it should be neighbors’ voices that are heard on redevelopment in their area.” Joe Terry, North Vancouver City council candidate: “I think that North Vancouver City can’t handle any large scale developments without fosing its character. It’s important to save our trees in urban areas,” . Eva Bundala, North Vancouver City council candidate: “What is in a dire need of development is the officials’ attitude: they have long forgotten they're supposed to be working for the - public, who pays their salaries. Instead, they seem to be in jobs for themselves, “Also, by being on the job for so long, their stale ideas no longer reflect the community’s needs. Only when a new, vig- orous breed of decision-makers is voted in, only then can we proceed with specific issues related to further development of our community, and expect positive results,” ee Darrell Mussatto, incumbent North Vancouver City candidate: “We must be care- ful not to confuse higher den- sity with the overcrowding of people. ; “We can have some increas-.- es in density as long as the changes are planned, closely scrutinized and are ofa high quality in areas where taking your automobile is not the only option of travel. “The Lonsdale corridor is'a good example where. there are jobs for people, public: transit is available and shop- ping for some of your dail needs is only a short w away. People are coming to. live on the North Shore. We can either change by design’ now or by default in a few years.” ae Diarmuid Dick O’Dea, North Vancouver City candidate: “Without a-reso-. lution to the school funding * issue in North Vancouver and © « without a better regional transportation strategy that - promotes public transporta- ~ tion and, most importantly, encourages employers to situ- ate work in or near the home ~ of their employees there is very «' little room for. more major: developments in the city. “There is room ‘for smaller projects like townhouses and ‘ duplexes in and around - Lonsdale but only after care- ful consideration and public hearings.” . Gordon Moore, North Vancouver City council candi- date: “The amount of development should be kept at a level that does not destroy the livable aspect of the city. Development should be slowed down until safer transportation routes are built and more SeaBuses and buses are designated for the City of North Vancouver. The Lower Lonsdale area will be the focus of development in the city. Lower Lonsdale should be restricted to low rise residential, commercial and light indus- trial. There should be no morz high-rise building below Third Street. ; Single-family areas should stay zoned single family and zoning should not be changed at the whim of a developer.” Bob Fearnley North Vancouver City council cardi- date: “I support the official plans for Lower Lonsdale redevel- opment which include a mixture of high-density residential, cul- tural, commercial, and administrative uses. “The city must get the best price for city-owned lands while maintaining the integrity of the Official Community Plan. I like a Granville Island-type approach for the Versatile lands in the southwest corner of the City. “T support a mixture of clean industry and public access to the waterfront. This will generate quality jobs, a water- front park and increased tax revenues,” 6 NEWS photo Mike Waketield a NN en)