I hope you enjoyed our extraordinary summer weather and have transitioned well back into September routines. I attended the informative annual Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention last week, and the transformative Walk for Reconciliation on Sunday with my friend Xwalacktun from the Squamish Nation.
This fall promises to be busy and productive for Council on a number of fronts. With the retirement of our Chief Administrative Officer in June, Ms. Nina Leemhuis (our former Chief Financial Officer) has been appointed as Interim CAO while we conduct a comprehensive executive search. At the same time, Council will continue to focus on its five strategic priorities:
Public Safety Building: On Sept. 9th Council approved preliminary exterior facade and landscape designs for the purposes of submission to the Design Review Committee and discussion with user groups and the public. Given that construction is anticipated to start in early 2014, Council is discussing a model for funding which may include using funds from the sale of lands, a loan from the Municipal Finance Authority, an increase in property taxes, or a combination thereof.
Ambleside and Waterfront Activation: A Financial Analysis, and Commercial Market & Revitalization Implementation Study have been completed and will be considered by Council sometime this fall.
Housing and Neighbourhood Character:
Based on community support, on Sept. 9th Council directed staff to prepare draft bylaws to allow for rental coach houses. These will be brought back to Council on Nov. 18th before going to the public for input.
289 units in 2 residential towers (19 & 24 stories) at 752 Marine Drive (White Spot site): public information meetings will be held Sept. 26th(6:30-8:30 pm) and Sept. 28th (10am-noon), both in the gymnasium of St.Anthony’s School, 595 Keith Rd.
110 Maison Senior Living Residences (Alzheimer and Memory Care) at Taylor Way and Keith Road: scheduled to come before Council on Oct. 7 to hear the outcome of community consultation, design review considerations and next steps.
19 Residences at 370/380 Mathers (Unitarian Church site): following the Community Consultation meeting and Design Review Committee meeting, development plans are to be revised prior to advancing in the application review process.
Housing Bulk: a consultant has been hired and a report to Council is set for Nov. 18th.
Municipal Services and Finances – It’s budget time again, and open-houses are planned for Oct. 23rd (6-8 pm, Seniors’ Activity Centre) and Nov. 7th (6-8 pm, Gleneagles Community Centre). There will also be two open-houses on long-term capital planning for facilities’ infrastructure renewal: Sept. 25th (6-8pm, Seniors’ Activity Centre) and Oct. 9th (6-8 pm, Gleneagles Community Centre). It is estimated that approximately $80 million will be required over the next 20 years to upgrade 48 District-owned buildings.
Environment, Parks and Upper Lands: The much-anticipated new playground at John Lawson Park opened this month to critical acclaim by the under-6 crowd. There will be an open-house related to the proposed design for the section of the Spirit Trailfrom Seaview Walk to Horseshoe Bay on Oct. 1st, 6-8 pm at the Gleneagles Golf Clubhouse. An interim standard for the Trail through Ambleside will be presented at the Oct. 7th Council meeting.
Other Matters:
Cell Towers: Rogers Communications has made applications for 3 cell towers on Highway #1 at 26th Street, 15th Street, and Taylor Way. A Town Hall meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 2nd, with an overflow date of Oct. 16th if necessary, both from 7-9 pm at the Seniors’ Activity Centre. Residents, elected officials, health care professionals and industry proponents will have an open dialogue about these applications. Council’s final consideration of the applications will be on Nov. 4th.
1200 Keith Road Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety Plan: Further to the initial open-house held on June 6th, a meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 10th at Hollyburn Elementary to report on community input and present plans for improvements.
Pumpkin Fest – Oct. 5 & 6 at the West Vancouver Community Centre. Please call 604-925-7270 or visit www.westvanpumpkinfest.ca for a schedule of events and to purchase dance tickets – have fun and support the WVCCS’s biggest fundraiser at the same time.
Tax Sale – delinquent properties will be offered for sale on Sept. 30th at 10 am at Municipal Hall.
Please visit the District’s new and improved website at www.westvancouver.ca for further information (and to confirm scheduling details) on any of these items, and for Monday night Council meeting agendas, live broadcasts and minutes. Your comments or questions are most welcome. Thank you for your interest and support.
Warmly,
Mary-Ann
