Statement by Fred Dawkins on behalf of Voices at the Public Hearing Sept 29:
Fred Dawkins, in the City of North Van, speaking on behalf of North Van City Voices.
We support the draft Official Community Plan as written. It has been a long, laborious, sometimes fractious process to get here, but we feel the current plan now before you is significantly better than the earlier versions.
Our primary concern has always been the pace of development in the city, and we are pleased that the earlier proposed increases in density have been scaled back to a more prudent and manageable level. We believe the new OCP offers a workable blueprint for ensuring that, while the city continues to grow, it can remain a livable community. I don’t need to remind you that the thousands of residents who took the time to come out to all those meetings did so because we love this unique place we call home, and want to see it remain the best place in the lower mainland in which to live.
No doubt we still face challenges going forward. We’re still waiting to see the details of the new density bonusing policy, which will be crucial. And questions remain on how we will deal with issues like transit service, the rental housing stock, and the new rec centre. We know the OCP is only a guide – it’s not law. Future councils will have the ability to ignore it on a case by case basis and approve developments that exceed it. So we as citizens have to remain vigilant and hold our mayor and council accountable to respecting the spirit of the OCP that so many worked so hard to develop.
And speaking of working hard, we wish to thank city planning staff for the enormous amount of work they put into this process. We also want to thank the majority on council who supported Councillor Bookham’s motion to open up the community input to include townhall meetings focused on specific OCP issues. The result was an unprecedented level of public input, giving a clear message: slow down. In the end, staff and council listened to that input and crafted an OCP based on what is best for the entire community. We thank you for that.
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Public Hearing
2014 Official Community Plan Bylaw
Monday, September 29, 2014 at 6pm
Council Chambers, 141 West 14th Street, North Vancouver
Previous postings are all on the City website, or can be found in our search engine.
First Reading & Public Hearing: 2014 Official Community Plan Bylaw
On July 21, 2014, the 2014 OCP Bylaw received First Reading from Council who referred it, with a Regional Context Statement, to a Public Hearing on September 29, 2014. The Bylaw was also referred to neighbouring jurisdictions and provincial and federal agencies. Written submissions can be directed to the City Clerk at kgraham@cnv.org or mailed to City Hall. There will also be an opportunity to be heard in person at the hearing.
Public Hearing:
Monday, September 29, 2014 at 6pm
Council Chambers, 141 West 14th Street, North Vancouver
The bylaw is here: http://www2.cnv.org/CityShaping/papers/2014%20OCP%20Bylaw.PDF
and proposed land use map is here: http://www2.cnv.org/CityShaping/papers/2014%20OCP%20Bylaw%20-%20Schedule%20A%20Land%20Use.pdf
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North Van City Voices 