A building with affordable rental housing and a senior respite care facility is being proposed as part of rezoning and redevelopment proposal for the North Shore Neighbourhood House (NSNH).
Two years ago, City of North Vancouver (CNV) Council directed staff to explore the feasibility of replacing the aging NSNH facility at East 1st Street and 207-225 East 2nd Street.
In April this year, CNV proposed a “neighborhood hub” concept, offering 216 below-market rental housing, child care, adults day and overnight respite care, young and senior programs, food bank and food security programs and youth programs.
CNV is working with Catalyst Community Developments Society, Care BC, and Hollyburn Family Services to make the Hub concept a reality.
The proposed site is approximately 8,730 square metres in area and located in Lower Lonsdale, east of St. Georges Avenue with East 2nd Street to the north and East 1st Street to the south.
The redevelopment, which was broadly supported by Council in April, will happen in three phases.
In Phase 1, a six-storey building consisting of a senior respite care facility on the ground floor and affordable rental housing above are planned.
In phase 2, an 18-storey building consisting of the new NSNH facility on the first three storeys and affordable rental housing above are planned. A new Derek Inman Park with more land dedicated to the park is being planned.
Many residents were concerned about the building height and the amendment to allow for height change was opposed by 700 people in a petition.
CNV staff says significant efforts have been undertaken to mitigate potential neighbourly impact, and the staff recommends Council move ahead with the amendments.
However, the staff has also explored a 12-storey development, but this would significantly compromise on affordable housing.
“A 12-storey alternative would reduce number of units by an estimated 40% and considerably increase construction cost per square foot,” says a staff report to Council.
The 18-storey height, impact to views, loss of community gardens, impact to parking and congestion, and deviation from OCP were other concerns raised in surveys conducted by CNV.
Who is going to be managing the application process for the rental housing? When will people be able to apply? This is very exciting and urgently needed, as the seniors care will be. Plus think of the jobs it will provide also. Looking forward to it.