This email was sent by John Gilmour to LynnValleyLife and to many of the other Lynn Valley citizens in his network. We have reproduced it here to illustrate our story about the divergent views being expressed in the neighbourhood. Please see our story for links to background information and different perspectives.
As you may know, I am a big supporter of the Lynn Valley Town Centre redevelopment as a “Mixed-use Lifestyle Centre” concept with lots of community amenities.
A community developed in South Surrey by Larco called Morgan Crossing, has some videos on it’s web site, that explain the type of potential Lynn Valley has:
- Well known retail consultant Ian Thomas explains what the Lifestyle Centre concept is:http://www.morgancrossing.ca/gallery/videos/lifestyle
- A great example of a lifestyle centre concept is in Westlake, Ohio (near Cleveland): http://www.morgancrossing.ca/gallery/videos/crocker
The month ahead may be our last chance to have a say on how Lynn Valley will re-develop and retrofit over the next 20 – 30 years in regard to building form, character and particularly height. It’s all about the trade-offs. The more open space we want, the taller a few of the buildings will have to be. Despite the fact that the OCP was passed unanimously in 2011, height was not stipulated. So now is the time to make that choice. I don’t think anyone is against redevelopment of the town centre, it’s just a matter of what height.
Open the web site by clicking on the link and you can review the plans and see the various options. There are 4 of them. Option A, B, C & D.
In my opinion:
- Option A – not enough open space and amenities. Streets are shadowed all day every day.
- Option B – still not enough open space
- Option C – gives quite a bit more open space. Almost as much as option D, but with a few less 16 storey towers (16 stories is the same as the Kiwanis Tower at Whitely Court)
- Option D – A bit more dense and would give more amenities… including affordable housing and more taxpayers to help share the financial load. (Did you get your property tax bill last week? More taxpayers means less upward pressure on taxes). Includes one 22 storey building.
Action items:
- Attend one of the remaining open houses and vote using the iPad computers on site, or
- Use your computer at home to vote on the options, or
- If you are still undecided, the DNV has offered to hold small group meetings in the community regarding the proposals. If you would like to attend a small group meeting, please let me know and I will arrange one.
Either way don’t miss this opportunity to have a say.
Regards,
John Gilmour
(speaking on behalf of myself and not any group that I am a member of…)
C: 604-808-1171
