68 pages Classifieds 986-6222 Office, Editorial 985-2131 Wham Productions Now spotlight: 26 Money matters: 47 Display Advertising 980-0511 Distribution 986-1337 25¢ Op approved Council endorses controversial 50-unit family housing project Teen scene FOOSBALL ACTION at the Lynn Valley Teen Centre sees Tanya Johnson (left) playing Danny Carlsen, while Robin Thompson (right) cheers them on. The drop-in centre has lots of things for youths to do after school and in the evenings. A CONTROVERSIAL co- op housing project on the old Burrard View school site in Deep Cove was ap- proved Monday night by North Vancouver District Council in a split 4-3 vote. By Martin Milterchip Contributing Writer District Mayor Murray Dykeman cast the deciding vote in favor of second and third reading of the bylaws that will see the district rezone and lease to Inner City Housing Society the core of the 1475 Deep Cove Rd. site for the development of a 50-unit, family-oriented co-operative housing project. Dykeman said council’s action followed existing commitments contained in the district's OCP (Official Community Plan) and the recently approved district housing strategy. The district, he said, has agreed that it is ‘supportive of afford- able housing for all its residents.” Dykeman noted that ‘‘there are a limited number of sites that have the size and zoning potential for this type of project.”’ Ald, Janice Harris, who in- troduced the OCP and zoning amendments, described the co-op as an ‘tabsolutely excellent pro- posal.”’ She pointed out that the co-op was one of only four in B.C. to be selected for funding by CMHC (Central Mortgage and Housing Corp.). Harris acknowledged the many ‘“twho feel this proposal does not suit their community,’’ but described the project as a redevelopment that required no land clearing. But Ald. Jim Cuthbert criticized the planned 18-unit-per-acre den- sity of the development. He pointed out that the Deep Cove OCP allows for low-density, multi-family housing. “Eighteen units per acre is not low density,’” said Cuthbert, who reminded council that the district’s multi-family densities range from a low of seven units per acre to a high of 24 units per acre. Cuthbert disagreed with the no- tion that the proposal would assist the district with its aim of oro- viding a balanced housing stock. “Seymour has more than its fair share of co-ops and assisted housing sites,’’ said Cuthbert, suggesting that Seymour’s propor- tion of such housing would be 83% if Inner City’s proposal were approved. La ve NORTH VANCOUVER DISTRICT COUNCIL But Harris said that Deep Cove itself did not have any co-ops. Ald. Ernie Crist, meanwhile, said that there were a lot of misconceptions about co-ops in the community. “We have to distance ourselves from this feeling that somehow a co-op diminishes a community,”’ said Crist : He said that 70% of the co-op residents will pay market rent and suggested that those who choose to live in co-ops do so because of their commitment to a concept of community. Ald. Paul Turner acknowledged the community opposition to the project. “I know politically | would be smarter to vote against this, but for me it is a question of what 1 believe in,"* said Turner, referring to the number of Deep Cove resi- dents who wanted the project deferred until the level of social services in the community could be improved. *“*We have heard the message (but) whether we build this or not will not change the level of com- munity services,’’ responded Turner. Turner also said that there would be little difference in the impact on Deep Cove between the co-op and single-family housing on the same site and suggested that the leasing of the land would result in a long-term value to the community. Ald. Joan Gadsby acknowl- edged that the proposal was ‘‘very attractive,’ but said ‘‘the timing is out.” . She maintained that increased recreational and library services at Parkgate should precede the co- op development. ‘‘My obligation at this point is to the existing residents of the Seymour area,’’ said Gadsby. Ald. Rick Buchols said that he found the proposed density “somewhat disturbing’? and that he shared the opinion of those in the neighborhood who had spoken against the co-op. “I have been against the pr posal from Day One,’’ sa’ Buchols, Cuthbert called for a deferral on the co-op’s approval, pending a detailed environmental impact study that would have in- vestigated, amongst other things, the potential for creek damage by sedimentation from the site. But the deferral was supported only by Gadsby. REACHING EVERY DOOR ON THE NORTH SHORE SINCE 1969