-- despite council's reservations ST. SIMON’S Charch received a surprise Christmas gift from North Vancouver District Council. last week — unanimous council] approval of the church’s contentious scheme to build housing for seniors. The approval in principle, sought by the church for eight months, opens the way for funding from _ higher levels of government for the Anglican church's 60 apartment project. which has come under heavy criticism in the past. One of the conditions of the District's approval is that the church and_ the municipality set up an ad- visory committee to discuss concerns of some council members and staff, which include the steepness of the project site. its density. distance from amcenities. impact on a new residential development — Caledonia Place. and its = in- compatibility with present zoning. The project, known as Simoncliffe. was first proposed in May. when a committee from the church asked the District for speedy That approval approval, and creanon of a= special semor housing zone. has been delayed because of the perceived problems Mayor Don Bell admitted ino a report to council last week there were problems with the project. but added that it) wasn't completely 40 years expenence ¢ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS e COMPLETE GENERAL MECHANICAL e WHEEL. FRAME ALIGNMENT & BALANCING , « COLLISION REPAIAS * BAKE OVEN PAINTING FREE CONSUL TATION © ALL WORK GUARANTEE ( TAYLORMOTIVE 174 PEMBERTON. N.V. OUR 21ST YEAR OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION | By TERRY LAVENDER unacceptable, and that the difficulties could be worked out. St. Simon’s wants to build the senior centre on the south side of its property on Deep Cove Road, but Bell said in the report District should exchange land it owns to the north with the church, and the project should be built there. But Sid Ireland. project coordinator, scoffed at this idea. Simoncliffe belongs on the south side of the church property. because the north side lacks views and other amenities. The presence of the Caledonia Place development” immediately south of Simoncliffe doesn't bother him. he told the News. “Is not going to interfere too much with Simoncliffe.” he said. HOUSING NEED Aldermen Mary Segal and Manlyn Baker = said the obvious need for semors’ housing doesn't mean council should overlook Samonchiffe’s problems Segal concerned about possible overcrowding m the proyect’ She called at “discriminatory in the worst sense of the word.” because uo would be “putting semors into a place where we wouldnt put other people ” Baker. also wormed about the density. said she was concerned about the was LOOKING FOR TRUSTWORTHY AUTO TECHNICIANS? TAYLORMOTIVE IS BCAA APPROVED HOME OF THE AUTOMOTIVE SPECIALISTS Qualified technicians tn each field Many with 20 He o4 a eee project's impact on Caledonia Place. She offered to sit down with St. Simon's and people in the neigh- borhood and work out the problems. But her suggestion that the church find a more suitable location elsewhere in the community was criticized by other council members who said the church and the senior centre could not be separated. Alderman John Lakes told council: “The whole fabric of this thing is that it must be linked with the church. “They don't want to be pushed all over the District of North Vancouver and away from thetr church.” STAFF CONCERNS District staff are still unhappy with Simoncliffe. and Bell released a very negauve report from Social Planner Leanna Jones at the meeting Among her concerns about the project site: no crosswalks. no shelters at nearby bus stops. a sicep slope towards Seycove Community School (which 1s also) too far away). in- frequent buses, no con- vement access to an ad- yorming pack, no scenic view. high volume of traffic on Deep “Love Road. no sidewalk on the west side of the road and sidewalk on east sade of the road in poor condition, few stores or other ameniies nearby and no dentist, beauty shop. post office. mayor grocery store, CONTINUED ON PAGE A4 Ta APPOINTMENTS 985-7455 * weather Pe a - “AS - Wednesday, December 23, 1981 POINTING WITH pride to plans for Simoncliffe senior WEDNESDAY citizen apartments is Cloudy project coordinator Sid some showers reland. However, Ireland isn’t quite happy THUR'SDA ¥ with the District's desire more rain to move the project from the south side of St. Simon's to the north. (Ian Smith photo) ALSO INSIDE > Cove will get seniors’ apartments Swimming & Fitness Centre Men, Women — Swim 7 Days a Week 1YR. FOR $79 on yapice Now featuring ladies wate: therapy & aquatic exercise classes Guaranteed . Lowest Prices * Aerobic Training © 10 Supervised Ladies Exercise classes per day * Conditioning body building area ¢ Remedial Mineralized Whirlpool! 108°F * Heat 78°F Swimming Pool ¢ Sauna ¢ Access to 1/4 mile track NORTH VANCOUVER 980-9358 , West of Lonsdale on ]4th across A eee ill om, City Hall at Marlborough Towers. Take the family to the movies this week a: for 24 hours choose from Apocalypse Now Texas Chain Saw Massacre Friday the 13th Flesh Gordon Four Seasons Superman Death Ship Fame 1 **410”’ Black Stallion Meatballs The Jazz Singer . The Formula A Bridge Too Far Dressed to Kill and Many More PAGE BI pion ! 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