The City of North Vancouver council has approved the build of a six storey apartment building in Central Lonsdale.
In a meeting July 15, council passed first, second and third readings for a rezoning application to bring the complex to 140 East 19th St., replacing a three-storey, 33-home rental building that was built in 1967.
The new building will house 91 purpose-built, pet-friendly rental homes, including nine mid-market rental homes, 77 underground parking spaces across two parking lots and a children’s play area.
Coun. Shervin Shahriari offered his support to the project, however expressed concerns over the residents who would need to be relocated.
“I just wanted to get a sense in terms of those residents, that you are going to be looking after them and they’re not going to be left behind when this development takes place,” he said.
Staff said residents from 10 of the current apartments have already moved on, 80 per cent of whom have stayed on the North Shore, leaving 18 tenants waiting to secure new accommodation.
Staff said many tenants will wait until they’ve been given a full notice before they decide to move on. Others may make use of an offer for first right of refusal for the new mid-market rentals, and look for something temporary in the meantime.
Coun. Tony Valente expressed support for the plan, explaining that the area was in need of revitalization via a new building, and more rental opportunities have long been needed.
“We are creating a whole bunch of units of good market rental, we’re bringing additional rental to the area and to a building that is actually quite aged and probably not up to code with the current standards,” he said. “I visited the building, I think it is in need of renewal and an update."
Mayor Linda Buchanan said one of the hardest parts of redeveloping a building is providing support and services for the current tenants, and helping them to move into new housing.
“I’m happy to hear 80 per cent of people have stayed on the North Shore and that they are actively engaged with the tenants, and I would encourage tenants to really get engaged,” she said.
Buchanan nodded to the number of new buildings being built in the city, many which will have mid-market units, and people are encouraged to look around before coming back under the first right of refusal.
“That is a story that we hear – yes, it’s relocation, but if there is that opportunity to come back, come back to that neighbourhood that you love,” she said.
Buchanan acknowledged that looking for further housing is not an easy process and can take some time, and so recommended tenants get engaged “as soon as you possibly can.”
Buchanan said she was in favour of the project as it provided rentals at a time when they are most needed and, given its central location, could provide housing for those that work in Central Lonsdale but have to commute from other areas.
The project is “in a lovely neighbourhood” and the complex “will be a beautiful building once it’s done,” she said, in support.
The motion was carried unanimously.
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
