West Vancouver Mayor Pam Goldsmith-Jones posted this comment today on an earlier string, but I’m re-posting here to make sure everyone sees it. History: West Van has been trying to experiment with some different housing forms than giant single-family, which I wrote about in an earlier Globe story. Subsequent to that, the couple featured in the story — Rick Gruneau and Shelley Bentley — wrote to me to say they were withdrawing their proposal to build a small house on an irregular small lot attached to their main property — because after spending $18,000, they went to a council meeting where they felt there was no certainty that council would give final approval to the project at a future point after they’d spent even more money.
This is the mayor’s response today.
Last week Council voted 6 to 1, at 3rd reading, to amend the OCP to allow for Housing Pilot Projects, provided a proposal goes through the established – but not yet tested – process. I fully expect that the OCP amendment will be adopted by Council this coming Monday (July 19). This is the proper first step and, I believe, quite well supported by the community.
I was very disappointed that the Gruneau/Bennett application was withdrawn. The Downs “Lantern House” and the application still has my full support. Going first is not easy. Creating a process and a policy that honours neighbourhood context and the changing housing needs of families isn’t easy either.
I respect that certainty is needed to invest in a pilot project. That is why I committed to placing the OCP amendment before Council before any applicant went any further down the path. As well, I had expected that both recommended applications would be on our agenda in July for rezoning approval, following the OCP amendment . Council has followed through. We are ready for good applications to come forward.
The community has expressed its interest in trying a few pilot projects. Council has taken a solid first step by amending its OCP. We are learning, and we will endeavour to make positive change by listening to people like the Gruneau/Bennetts, in spite of the turns in the road.