1. After an extensive community consultation process, and building on four decades of work, the Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan was endorsed by Council on Monday, June 13th. http://westvancouver.ca/government/mayor-council/councils-priorities/ambleside-waterfront-concept-plan-consultation
The plan expresses a cohesive vision that ensures something for everyone:
- More green and public spaces by reducing the number of buildings on the waterfront.
- Extending the Spirit Trail by closing Argyle Avenue to vehicles between 13th and 14th Streets, and between 16th and 18th Streets, separating bikes and pedestrians, with parking replaced elsewhere.
- Preserving Navvy Jack House as the future home of an educational Nature Centre.
- A new Community Arts Building to be located closer to the Ferry Building Gallery to accommodate programming in the Silk Purse, Music Box, and Lawson Creek Studios, which will be decommissioned and removed in a phased approach while ensuring that no user groups are displaced.
- A seaside bistro and boat rental facilities will be located in the area around the Hollyburn Sailing Club. The use of the existing public boat ramp will be limited to non-motorized boats, and locations for an alternative vehicle- accessible boat ramp will be explored.
There will be further community consultation for each of the plan’s projects as more detailed designs and budgets are developed.
2. Housing affordability is of great concern to many in our community, along with vacant homes, changing neighbourhoods, and effects on local business. In this regard, Councillor Craig Cameron and I have submitted a motion to West Vancouver Council which will be discussed at the June 20th Council Meeting. We realize there is little we can do at a local level to address the situation, so we are urging the Federal and Provincial governments to take meaningful action in the near future. To this end, we hope to submit a resolution to the Union of B.C. Municipalities to be debated at the September AGM. For further information on this and other agenda items, including a grant application related to the restoration of the Ferry Building, and the Marine Drive Context Study, please visit http://westvancouver.ca/sites/default/files/dwv/council-agendas/2016/jun/20/16jun20-Agenda2.pdf
3. The community survey related to a proposed Tree Bylaw in West Vancouver closed last week. Preliminary results show that while the community is generally concerned with the clear-cutting of lots by developers, they are divided on how to address this issue. I've also heard comments from residents about the framing of the survey and public consultation. This is a complex problem and we need to get it right, so when it comes back to Council on July 18th, I will be seeking more time and input from the community before making a decision.
If you have any comments or questions related to any of these items, I would like to hear from you.
Warm regards,
Mary-Ann Booth
Councillor | District of West Vancouver
c: 604-340-8490 | westvancouver.ca
References: http://us9.campaign-archive1.com/?u=0050ded160cfe84151dc7bdd2&id=deec5d61c3&e=d0f85d790f
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