-- 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

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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

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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)

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PAGE BI

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PAGE C7

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