A new 13-storey apartment building is coming to Central Lonsdale that will add needed childcare spaces to the area – but not too many.
At a meeting on Monday, City of North Vancouver council unanimously approved a proposal to build the mid-rise tower at 1536-1550 Eastern Ave. Members of council expressed general support for the project, while voicing concerns about relocating existing tenants on the property. The project was passed without a public hearing.
A similar plan from Rafii Architects was rejected last year because it included a childcare centre with 129 spaces, which council deemed too numerous for the residential area. The approved project will have a facility on the ground floor with 81 childcare spaces, and two mid-market residential units earmarked for childcare staff.
In all, the project will accommodate 118 rental units – 13 of them will be mid-market. Current tenants who live in one of the low-rise 1960s apartments that will be demolished for the new tower will have first right of refusal for the mid-market units.
A total of 93 parking spaces are included in the build: 71 for residents (including four accessibility spaces), 13 visitor spaces, nine daycare spaces (including one disability space). There will be 183 secure bike parking spaces and 12 short-term bike spaces for residents, two short-term for the childcare centre, as well as 15 shared e-bike spaces.
Coun. Tony Valente said he liked that the new proposal will add more housing, as well as childcare to the area.
“It’s obviously critical for us meeting our childcare strategy goals,” he said, noting improvements to the pedestrian environment.
“We’ve got more eyes on the street with some of the laneway being improved, with the sidewalks that will be going in,” Valente said.
But with such heavy development in Central Lonsdale, he said the city will have to keep up to speed with transportation needs.
“It’s not really this project’s problem, but I think it is our municipal issue to address. What’s our plan for a proper network in Central Lonsdale if we have so much growth going on there?” Valente asked. “Future buildings that come up are going to really be rewarded for integrating active transportation into their designs.”
Tenant relocation 'critical,' mayor says
Regarding existing tenants on the property, only eight of 34 have been relocated, staff said. The ones remaining are waiting for a demolition permit to be issued.
Given the tight housing market in the city, Mayor Linda Buchanan said tenant relocation is critical.
“As much as possible, if those tenants can be relocated in the city, I think I can speak on behalf of council and say that’s where we want them to be,” she said. “If they’re not reaching out to the relocation co-ordinator I would like some proactive work in terms of where those residents are at, what they need and how can you support them under our policy.”
Buchanan also stressed that council expects many people who will access the childcare centre wouldn’t need to drive there.
“Our expectation is that people are going to use this childcare who hopefully live in close proximity if not in this building, and therefore will come in more active ways so that we can actually reduce the traffic impact,” she said.
