It was a game of musical developments at City of North Vancouver council Monday night as council members voted to approve a new home for North Shore Kia dealership and a condo building to go in its place.
The joint bid between the Dick Irwin Group, which owns North Shore Kia, and Darwin Properties will see the dealership moved to a 43,500-square-foot home at 843-855 West First St., just above the Northshore Auto Mall.
The land is currently home to an auto shop and overflow parking for auto dealerships.
Making the move would allow the company to better serve clients as well as hire more staff, the owners said in their pitch to council.
Once the Korean autos are moved out, the building at 725 Marine
Dr. will be demolished for a five-storey, 92-unit mixed-used building with commercial space on the ground floor.
The developer had previously come to council with a bid to build a sixstorey tower on the site but was told to come back with something smaller. The building approved by council Monday night fits within the official community plan limits for density.
Council members praised the project for achieving the longstanding goal of getting the last car dealerships off Marine Drive as well as for its design.
"I think (the architects) have done a very good job with this. I think it's the right place for this type of density. There's shopping just to the west of this. .. and the connections to the Spirit Trail are fantastic," said Mayor Darrell Mussatto, noting it will be a very quick walk or cycle to Lonsdale Quay.
The expected cost for a 700-square-foot unit is $350,000, according to the developer.
Though she spoke highly of its design, Coun. Pam Bookham voted against the project, on the grounds it was an extension of the neighbouring Shore development, which she opposed.
Council held backto-back public hearings for joint projects prior to the vote, both of which drew mainly supporters connected to the businesses.
A handful of residents from neighbouring midrises did turn up to voice concern over the building's height. Most of the mixed-use buildings on Marine Drive are four storeys.
