2480 and 2510 Wentworth Avenue
Though Hannah won our recent discussion on whether to attend this open house, she agreed that perhaps it’s time we took more of an interest in our city’s suburban neighbours. After all, anyone who’s been stuck in traffic know our region isn’t that large, it just sometimes takes forever to cross. As someone who grew up having to journey over the old Port Mann Bridge far too often, there were several reasons this open house caught my eye.
Admittedly, I’m still disappointed we missed it as the Beach House Restaurant has great food, but at least the information boards have been published online. They reveal this project is arguably one of regional importance, as it will create new ways to travel in West Vancouver, and reverse the community’s declining population, which fell .5% between 2011 and 2016 (pg 11). Nonetheless, it remains true to the vision for the future laid out by those who live here today.
It’s taken me a couple days, but I’ve read through most of those guidelines, yet in hindsight I probably could have just skipped the section on the Upper Lands (pg 189). Frankly, I find it troubling to see that so much wilderness will be lost under that plan, but thankfully that won’t be the case at this site. Instead, the applicants are embracing sustainability by exploring mass timber construction, and dedicating over 10% of the property to preserve Marr Creek Ravine (pg 11).
There will also be several large forest buffer areas retained, which will help this development blend in with its surroundings as required by district policy (pg 191). Even from a distance, these buildings will hardly be noticeable, as their terraced design and green roofs will blend into the mountainside far better than the previous rendition. Though that application for 29 detached homes was approved in the summer of 2017, it was ultimately abandoned in favour of this concept.
This application is far more bold, as it proposes to add 585 homes, with 25% provided as rental housing. That should give most of West Vancouver’s workforce a reason to celebrate, as nearly 70% live outside the community (pg 52). In fact, 90% of the district’s own employees have to commute from other municipalities (pg 3). As these homes will offer them an opportunity to live closer to the operation’s yard, it may help improve the road network on snowy winter days.
However, if this proposal’s long-term potential is realized, that may become a thing of the past as these resident may not need their cars. In addition to the 2.75 acres of public space, a right-of-way for a future gondola has been provided that will allow for a connection to the Dundarave Village. This won’t only benefit residents, as despite the opposition to the R2 Rapid Bus, I imagine most of those businesses would appreciate better access to the Upper Lands.
A reliable year-round method of travel between Marine Drive and Highview Lookout would have other benefits, as people heading to Cypress Mountain would be able to bypass these neighbourhood streets. In the meantime, plenty of parking for cars and bikes has been provided, but there’s also a more modest hope for better transit. To enable that, the applicant has proposed a pedestrian bridge across the Marr Creek Ravine to link up with a future Route 256 Blue Bus stop.
Arguably, the scale of these transportation upgrades makes it seem like this project should easily win approval, but the district’s elected officials have been cautious about approving rental housing. In the last decade only 278 purpose-built rental homes were constructed in this community (pg 3), and this project alone would increase its total amount by over 7.5% to 2,046 homes. Ultimately, no matter where you call home, this effects you, so make sure to send your thoughts to dwatson@brookpooni.com before March 30, 2020.
You can view all of the information boards from the event here, or see the ones we highlighted on our Instagram here.
Applicant Team Information:
Developer – Henson Developments
Architects – GBL Architects
Local Architects – PWL Landscape Architects
City Duo 
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