2 ~ Wednesday, November 7, 1990 - North Shore News City approves Lonsdale tower THE CONSTRUCTION of a [5-storey highrise was ap- proved Monday night when North Vancouver City Council adopted a rezoning bylaw for property at 531- 557 Lonsdale Ave. By Pamela Lang Contributing Writer The project proposed for the site includes a 145-foot con- dominium, restoration of a heritage house and permanent retention of a 15-unit rental build- ing. “An honest exchan es vote on NORTH VANCOUVER CITY COUNCIL Ald. Barbara Sharp) expressed frustration over council's decision to approve the highrise without exploring the possibility of lower- ing the buildine’s height, some- thing she said the developer had been willing to do. Final adoption of the bylaw was passed 4-3, with Sharp and Aldermen Bill) Bell and = John Braithwaite voting ne. At previous meetings, the three bad expressed concern over the building's height. Public concerns about the highrise, including height, density, increased lane traffic. and reten- tion of existing trees. were raised at two public hearings. During previous council debate, it was pointed out thal approving relaxations in eight, density and location of the highrise would be a trade-off against having the heritage home renovated und the rental building retained. Sharp) pointe! out that the municipality he the fate of th And city cevsdopment planner Frank Dueie said that only through the rezoning under the bylaw contd restoration be en- sured. To alleviate other concerns, the develope: Fama/Rafii, has agreed to increase visibility in the lane by installing mirrors and keeping the shrubhery trimmed. A conversation with Steve Hynes, President of Cypress Ridge Gclf Course. Fama/Rafii has also offered to donate the existing trees to the ci- ty for relocation. The 25-unit highrise project will include three one-bedroom, 20 two-bedroom and two two- bedrvom-plus-den units, as well as social and recreational facilities. The heritage building will be celovated, restored, and used as an amenity space for social and rec- reational activities for the highrise residents, as well as guest rooms for visitors of the condominium owners. The rental building that current- ly stands on the southern part of the property will remain untouch- ed. ge Of VIEWS will result in a‘ y the referen Why should people, especially non-golfers, be asked to vote in favour of the golf course, park and forest reserve? “The real issue is how we make decisions about the future of our Municipality. If we voted today on building an aquatic centre, or the Seniors Centre, or the hockey rink, how would we decide? If we all just voted for what we used, no facilities or amenities would ever be built, because the majority of people do not use any single facility. “People should ask themselves: ‘What is in the best interests of the entire community?’ and act accordingly.” What are the reasons why the golf course is in the best interests of the entire community? “Our plan gives the community a significant amount of money every year, provides for thousands of rounds of golf every year, will provide jobs, and have a positive impact on many West Vancouver busiziesses. Over the initial term of the lease, the Municipality will receive a minimum of 24 million dollars, thousands of person years of work will be created, and over 2.8 million rounds of golf will be played.” What assurance is there that any environmental concerns will be taken care of? “Cypress Ridge Golf Limited retained Talisman Land Resource Consultants in association with Klohn Leonoff Ltd. Water Resource Consulting Engineers and other professional consultants: ¢ Sharp & Diamond Landscape Architects ¢ Dr. Bob Cameron Waste Management Consultants * Steffen Robertson Kirsten Geotechnical Consultants * Hugh Hamilton Ltd. Forestry Consultants ¢ Hamilton & Associates Consulting Engineers to prepare a Technical/Environmental/Feasibility Study, and the Municipality hired Norecol Environ- mental Consultants to review these comprehensive reports. Council, the Golf Course Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission and senior municipality staff have seen these reports. 99 um. They are on file at the Municipal Hall, available for all to see. After reviewing the reports, the Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously recom- mended to council that the golf course proceed. Most importantly, in the lease we signed, we agreed to have environmental controls and monitor- ing during and after construction, controlled by the Municipality but funded by Cypress Ridge Golf.” What is the concern about Trees? “There are 350 acres contained in the overall site. Of this, 51 acres was clear cut twenty years ago for B.C. Hydro right of way. A detailed study (100% tree and stem mapping survey) of the 56 acres containing the most un- touched forest was conducted. As a result, 22 acres of prime forest consisting of the best, densest and largest trees was set aside to be preserved as a Forest Park in perpetuity. Most of the relatively fewer large individual trees in the remaining 34 acres will also be saved. The balance of the forest cover on the site is a mixture of typical forest that has been either clear cut, selectively logged or does not contain significant trees; of this balance we will still retain a substantial portion of trees. All of our studies, done by professional con- sultants, are available to the public at the Municipal Hali. These are the only definitive surveys and specific analyses and studies of the forest on this site, which have been conducted by professional ac- credited consultants.” How can people become better informed about the golf course? “We recommend that people get information from all three sources that are invoived, the Municipality, the self-proclaimed “Friends of Cypress”- who oppose any golf course -and Cypress Ridge Golf. The contacts are: Kevin Pike 922-1211 Director, West Vancouver Parks and Recreation Paul Hundal 926-7002 “Friends of Cypress” and me, Steve Hynes 922-4161 President, Cypress Ridge Golf Course. ere ress