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Lynn Valley’s ‘small-town feel’ – what’s it worth to you?

Watching a Canada Day parade, one can’t help but reflect on the many contrasting strands that weave together to make our sea-to-sea-to-sea country something to be proud of.

It’s right there on the pavement in front of you, marching behind the bagpipers. There’s the military; there are musicians. There are rescue heroes; there are politicians of all stripes. There are people driving tanks and people riding electric bikes. People boxing and people dancing.

And so it is at the community level. To be vibrant and sustainable, a neighbourhood needs to be full of people who are willing to step up and contribute their own unique gifts to the world outside their front door. The more diverse a talent pool Lynn Valley can draw upon, the stronger our community will be. Conflicting opinions aren’t a bad thing – a lack of engagement is.

In our ongoing conversation regarding town planning, density, and Lynn Valley’s future, there are repeated references to Lynn Valley’s “community character.” Our safe streets. Our small-town feel. Our natural environment.

So what is it that each of us is prepared to do to preserve or enhance these neighbourhood characteristics we all laud? Because – regardless of which NVD option you lean toward – it’s our contention that community spirit isn’t dictated by the height of a apartment tower.

That “friendly, small-town feel” comes from inviting a new neighbour over for a backyard BBQ. It comes from choosing to plant flowers on the outside of your fence, where you can’t see them but passersby-can. It’s from realizing that when the Lynn Valley Lions ask for help setting up tables for a charitable pancake breakfast, there’s no reason in the world you shouldn’t pitch in, and many reasons you should. It’s from joining the Adopt-a-Street program with your children, so they grow up knowing the importance of community service.

It comes from attending an Argyle music concert or football game, even if you don’t have kids in the school. It comes from asking questions of the people around you, and learning more about their roots – whether those were planted firmly in Lynn Valley, or halfway around the world.

It comes from joining the Lynn Valley Community Association, a service group, one of Lynn Valley’s many different churches, or any other local organization that gives people a place to put their energies to work for the common good. Because you know what? All those clichés are true. Serving others brings a particular joy that can’t quite be replicated by any other means. And working with other people towards an altruistic goal is the stuff of which real communities are made.

We could name a hundred more things that people in this neighbourhood already do to keep it strong, and we bet you could, too. And there are hundreds more unsung heroes we don’t hear about – people whose compassion and commitment evidence themselves in quiet ways, all year through. (The kind of people, for example, we love to hear about for our annual Good Neighbour Award!)

So, next time you find yourself referring to Lynn Valley’s community “character” as a factor in the town planning debate – and it can be used by people on either side of that fence! – ask yourself what it is, really, that makes a neighbourhood great. Design is important, there’s no question about it, and good design will incorporate elements that serve to facilitate and encourage neighbourhood engagement.

But Lynn Valley’s story isn’t dictated by the number of storeys on a building – whether two, eight, 16 or more. Writing our community story is up to us. If we want to live in a friendly, small-town kind of place, we can each do our part to make that happen. And guess what? We don’t have to wait for feasibility studies, transit overhauls or council votes. That small-town feel starts with me, and with you. And it starts now, or it doesn’t. Our choice.

Leo the St. John’s Ambulance therapy dog hangs out in LV Village, after he and owner Rob’s visit to Lynn Valley Care Centre.

Have you shared your views regarding Lynn Valley town planning? Online feedback is open until Friday, July 5th. Click here to read some of the background, learn more about the options, and offer your thoughts via the user-friendly, online Metroquest feedback form.

 

July 1, 2013 in Blog, Current News, Development and Town Planning, Getting Involved

Resident reflects on highjack of highrise conversation

This was submitted to LynnValleyLife by Dan Ellis; it is a copy of his recent submission to North Vancouver District Council.

***

I’m the Chair of the Official Community Plan Implementation Committee, who are 15 citizens appointed by Council to “watchdog” the process.

But I’m speaking tonight as a Lynn Valley resident of 34 years; not on behalf of the OCP Committee.

Change can be seen as opportunity or threat.  A threat to our sense of community means a threat to ourselves, so we can get really emotional.  I get that.

But I want to register my dismay that some of my neighbours feel it’s OK to:

  • proclaim that one point of view represents everyone – there are 7,500 households in Lynn Valley.
  • intimidate residents who’ve said they felt bullied to sign petitions.
  • largely block the doorways to public consultation meetings.
  • interfere with public meeting attendees – disrespecting their right to self-educate and decide for themselves.
  • tell attendees that input to public consultation surveys will be ignored by DNV.
  • threaten to disrupt Council and staff from conducting their daily business at the Hall.
  • spread other mis-information.

The folks doing this are mostly in my age group.  But isn’t planning supposed to be about the needs of children and grandchildren, as well as for ourselves in coming years?  Frankly I am ashamed at the tactics being used by some folks who, while understandably upset by the prospect of change, are in large measure uninformed about why the OCP says what it does, and weren’t among the thousands who participated from 2009 – 2011.

Emotion should be respected, but it won’t always get to the best solution.  Perhaps it might be helpful if folks in Lynn Valley read the 2011 OCP, ask a lot of questions, and think for themselves before exercising their rights to use political pressure tactics and protest.  What I see is that Council and staff really are listening – so you don’t have to yell.

June 27, 2013 in Blog, Current News, Development and Town Planning, Governance and Services, Guest Voices

Donations to LV-based Spectrum Society will be matched

Back in December 2011, our readers gave a hearty thumbs-up to this post about the inspiring work of Lynn Valley resident Sally Livingstone.

Sally is the founder of Spectrum Mothers Support Society, an organization that mentors young North Shore mothers who need a helping hand. Over the years, the positive effect of their efforts has been tremendous, as you’ll learn from the testimonials on their website. More than one family has been able to stay together thanks to the support of these compassionate caregivers and mentors, who provide a listening ear, babysitting, parenting wisdom and companionship where and when it is needed most. (What can just a few hours of help per week really accomplish? Well, just click here for a North Shore News story about one young mom who was able to go on to earn great accolades at Capilano University!)

Spectrum is delighted to announcethat they have been chosen to benefit from St. Francis-in-the-Woods Anglican Church’s legacy fund. Any money donated to Spectrum will be matched by the St. Francis fund, up to $10,000. Please consider donating to this cause, which has proven to be of long-lasting benefit to so many young moms and babies just starting their journey together. The organization’s press release is below:

 

MATCHING GRANT OPPORTUNITY ($10,000) – DONATE NOW!

An amazing opportunity has come our way to increase our funds and therefore increase the amount of support we are able to provide. Any new donations to Spectrum will be doubled thanks to the generosity of St Francis- in- the- Wood Legacy Fund who have generously agreed to match donations up to $10,000.

Spectrum Mothers Support Society (www.spectrummothers.ca) provides support and mentorship to mothers on the North Shore, with children under the age of five, who continue to courageously care for their children during difficult circumstances.

Referrals are on the increase. The Executive Director has been working more closely with social workers at MCFD and community nurses (VCHA) to further identify families at risk and put into place a plan to provide optimum support. By engaging the services of our doula prenatally, and the help of mentors and caregivers as soon as the baby is born, we are able to keep families intact.

In other scenarios the support of trained and experienced caregivers enabled mothers to engage in activities such as counseling, exercise programs and support groups. Demonstrated outcomes are more positive parenting and mothers who are able to contribute to the lives of their children and to the community. Mothers feel less isolated, have improved mental, emotional and physical health and are able to reach out and engage other community resources.

We continue to see mothers return to work and undertake further education and training to be able to better provide for their families

Spectrum intentionally gives priority to low-income families, a category that may include teenage mothers with little or no support, new immigrants or mothers whose income does not allow them access to excellent caregivers, and mothers of children with disabilities, developmental delays or behavioural challenges.

Your generous donation will ensure that this support continues. You can donate on line or by mail. Thank you to St Francis- in- the- Wood Legacy Fund. Please act now – the need for funds is urgent!

– Debbie Jamison, president, and Sally Livingstone, executive director

Spectrum Mothers Support Society
Society Incorporation # S-0060469
Charitable Organization # 81737 2451 RR0001

June 25, 2013 in Blog, Current News, Notable Neighbours

Project Sunflower foot-lings can use boron boost

From the garden of Lynn O’Malley:

Well, I’m very glad I planted my Project Sunflower seeds out in mid-May, because ever since then – between Lynn Valley Days and end-of-term festivities and grad and visitors – there has certainly been no chance for much meaningful gardening.

Fortunately, Mother Nature has been doing all the work, and most of my seeds have turned into fine young plants, many of them now over a foot tall. I need to thin out the ones in the garden bed; although sunflowers don’t prefer to be moved, I am hoping some will transplant into neighbours’ gardens.

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June 24, 2013 in Blog, Current News, Eco-Awareness & The Great Outdoors, O'Malley's Musings, Project Sunflower

B.C. Mills House: a step into the past

 

The B.C. Mills House Museum, a hidden reminder of Lynn Valley’s history, is located near the entrance of Lynn Valley Headwaters Regional Park.

Originally purchased from a 1904 catalogue of the B.C. Mills Timber and Trading company, it represents the first prefabricated house on the North Shore.  It was purchased and built in 1908 by Captain Henry Pybus as a home for his family.

Later, it was converted to a schoolhouse and still later became the political headquarters of the infamous Rhino party. After  many years of neglect, the building was to be torn down. However, Stella Jo Dean, a councillor of North Vancouver City at the time, suggested it be moved to the newly established Lynn Headwaters Park to serve as a historic reminder of the early lumbering days.

With the approval of the planning department and the physical resources of the 6th Field squadron of engineers, the building was dismantled, reassembled and refurbished in its present location.

Over the next few years, various hikers and interested persons started bringing  to the museum  a variety of artifacts found in the woods  – objects that dated back, in some cases, to the late 1800s!

Subsequently an inventory was created of all these items and became available about the time the museum opened in 1998.

Items have since been added and an update of our inventory is becoming a necessity. Although storage and display space is limited, the museum still lures visitors from a broad geographic region – many of whom have loggers as their forebears.

The museum is staffed by a few keen volunteers on Sundays and statutory Mondays from 11:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. from May to September. If you’d like to join us, just see our notice, below!

– Ruth Sherwood, Lead Volunteer

Volunteer in beautiful Lynn Headwaters!

Spend the occasional Sunday afternoon in the park, and learn more about how our forebears first made their living in this part of the North Shore!

Join the group of avid volunteers at the B.C. Mills House Museum as an occasional host from May to September, on Sundays and statutory Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The volunteers’ aim is to provide information about the early logging and mining history in this area. Experienced volunteers help newcomers become oriented to the program.

Volunteers also provide park and trail information to the many hikers and dog walkers who head out into this large wilderness region.

To obtain further information about this opportunity, contact West-Area Metro Regional Parks at 604 224-5739, or just drop into the museum during the open hours.

 

June 21, 2013 in Blog, Current News, Eco-Awareness & The Great Outdoors, Getting Involved, Guest Voices

LV Elementary band hits new heights

Congratulations to the Lynn Valley Elementary Concert Band, and Jazz Band on a busy and successful year – it could even be described as “out of this world,” as you’ll read below!

The Concert Band achieved a gold award at the Kiwanis Concert Band Festival in Richmond, and gave a first class performance at the District Band and Strings Festival.

This year Lynn Valley had a large number of students accepted to the North Vancouver Honour Band. They had the incredible opportunity of being invited to play along with Chris Hadfield, Commander of the International Space Station, at Music Monday celebrations at Science World.

The Lynn Valley Jazz Band won the Most Inspiring Jazz Ensemble award at the Kiwanis Jazz Festival at Capilano University. One of the school’s band members also won Most Outstanding Soloist for the second year in a row at that festival.

The Jazz Band has been invited to play at the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival on Saturday June 22nd 1pm at Robson Square.  This is a free venue and open to everyone. Please come down and cheer on this incredible band!

– Submitted by Lynn Valley Elementary School

June 19, 2013 in Blog, Current News, School News

LV town centre planning: a range of perspectives

UPDATED: June 28, 2013

You’ve seen the signs around the neighbourhood, the pamphlets in your mailbox, and the emails in your inbox. As public consultation regarding the implementation plan for Lynn Valley’s town centre intensifies, a range of views are being expressed from North Vancouver District, informal citizens’ groups as well as individuals, and Mark Sager on behalf of Bosa Devlopments.

Exchanges amongst fellow citizens range from enlightening to heated. Well-presented opinions have the undecided amongst us swinging from one perspective to another and back again. Less helpful are those people who are taking up a post at the entrance to the NVD open houses and encouraging attendees to sign their anti-high rise petition even before they’ve had a chance to go inside and research the information for themselves. (This was the subject of one recent presentation to council by LV resident Dan Ellis.)

At LynnValleyLife our position in this whole process has been to encourage two things: first, that people get engaged in learning about the options and expressing their views; apathy isn’t the path to a healthy neighbourhood. Second, that people engage in debate that is constructive, not inflammatory. Anger is rarely the path to a creative solution.

To that end, we asked our readers to give us their response to the earlier implementation plans that included mixed housing, including high-rise towers, and a variety of public amenities. We published all the responses we received; they were well thought out and make for good reading.

Now that a new consultation round is under way, there are a range of individuals expressing their considered views. Two very different perspectives  are expressed by longtime Lynn Valley community volunteer John Gilmour, whose recent email describes why he sees the proposals as a great chance to create a “multi-use lifestyle centre,”  and by the anonymous author of this tract,  which is being distributed online and around the neighbourhood and calls the proposals a form of gentrification.

The “StopHiRises” citizen activist group is decided in its views and its eagerness to get more signatories to their petition, which demands a cap of five storeys on future building in the valley. Recently, a supporter of the tower-inclusive development proposal published his views on a “Lynn Valley Revival” website of his own; it includes a page of letters from other residents supportive of building up, not out.

Fortunately, amongst the divergent voices there are some resources available that will help you make up your own mind. The North Vancouver District “Identity” website has been made easier to navigate in the past view days, and includes a “Frequently Asked Questions” document that gives an excellent background to the debate (and explains why more homes need to be built in the first place).

The Identity website has links to the display boards and models from the open houses, and to an online feedback form that is available until July 5. Under Step #4, they have also linked relevant documents, such as the aforementioned FAQ as well as the recently released Lynn Valley traffic study that will show the impact of density on traffic flow in the neighbourhood.

At time of writing, there is one more DNV open house at which to see the models in person and to ask questions of the District planning staff. We’ve been to two of the four open houses, and are pleased to see that they seem to have been well attended by a mix of people. The last one is at Argyle Secondary on Wednesday, June 12 from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

 

June 8, 2013 in Blog, Community Events, Current News, Development and Town Planning, Getting Involved, Governance and Services

Town centre proposal can bring vitality, says Gilmour

 

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:

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:

  1. Attend one of the remaining open houses and vote using the iPad computers on site, or
  2. Use your computer at home to vote on the options, or
  3. 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

 

June 8, 2013 in Blog, Development and Town Planning, Guest Voices

LVL-sponsoring realtor to speak at RBC retirement planning event

Ever wondered what your Lynn Valley home is worth, and what choices you might make for downsizing in this neighbourhood? And how to best use your freed-up capital to create an ongoing income stream?

LynnValleyLife-sponsoring realtor Jim Lanctôt and Jeffrey Smithson, RBC financial planner, will address these questions and more at an upcoming seminar hosted by RBC Financial Services. As you’ll see below, the food is good and the seating is limited, so scroll down for details on how to RSVP asap!

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June 4, 2013 in Blog, Community Events, Current News, Real Estate News

Interesting online option for sharing town centre views

We’ve been promoting the two most recent opportunities presented for Lynn Valley residents to get involved in shaping Lynn Valley’s future – those are the NVD June Open Houses, and Mark Sager’s Bosa-sponsored storefront in Lynn Valley Centre.

It’s our hope that everyone made or will make the effort to attend one of these forums – especially given the importance of the issues, and as we know there are a variety of strong views out there in the neighbourhood!

But regardless of how you learn about some of the options for future development, there are different ways to share your feedback. One of them is a great online tool that asks you about your priorities and preferred “looks” for the village area, and gives visual examples  you can choose from to best illustrate your likes and dislikes.

Please click here for instructions on filling out the online or paper-based feedback form – this stage of input ends on July 5. That’s a month away, but it will be a busy month, so don’t put it off!

June 4, 2013 in Blog, Community Events, Current News, Development and Town Planning, Governance and Services