Smart development, rapid transit on North Shore key priorities for Jim Hanson

Councillor Jim Hanson launched his campaign for re-election with a gathering of enthusiastic supporters at Cardinal Hall in Lynn Valley on September 17.

Hanson addressed the need for Local Government to use its powers of re-zoning to ensure that housing development in the District of North Vancouver responds to the true housing needs of our community above the business needs of developers.

Hanson spoke to the importance of prioritizing rental, social and affordable housing. He promised that he would not receive any campaign donations from developers, and would sign the “no-developer-money” pledge.

“We need to ensure that our actions on Council benefit the whole community, and not just the ‘development community,” Hanson said. “I commit to support “smart” development—voting for the housing our community needs, social, affordable and rental housing. I will vote against expensive market condos in concrete high rises.”

Hanson said he will advocate for expansion of zoning and simplification of approvals for duplexes, triplexes, secondary suites, coach houses, and small lot infills. This, he says, will expand housing stock without significantly changing local neighbourhood character.

Hanson spoke of the need for collaboration with the Province on housing needs in the District, especially housing and supports for the homeless. On transportation, he promised to invest in active transportation and lobby for rapid transit to and from the North Shore.

“By the end of this upcoming term in Council, we must have a firm and definite plan in place for the construction of rapid transit to and from the North Shore with funding and firm construction deadlines. Rapid transit to and from the North Shore has become the transportation priority for the Metro Region,” he says.