A deteriorating Lynn Valley church may finance its rebuild through the construction of a neighbouring four storey apartment building following District of North Vancouver’s unanimous decision to push the project to public hearing last week.
If approved, the 75-unit building would sit next to a smaller version of a new house of worship that would replace the 54-year-old Lynn Valley United Church at 3201 Mountain Highway.
Dealing with both an aging building and congregation, this plan could ensure the future viability of the chapel, according to Doug Purdy, who spoke on behalf of the church on Dec. 2.
“An easy course would’ve been to fold the tent, so to speak, and disappear from Lynn Valley landscape into the annals of history, selling the land and building to the highest bidder,” he said.
Instead, the church plans to shrink from its current footprint of 8,471 square feet to approximately 6,200 square feet.
However, the smaller building and reduced site space may put the future of the church’s childcare space in jeopardy, something that did not sit well with Coun. Lisa Muri.
“We’ve never run into this situation before,” she said.
In the event the church’s rezoning is approved, a request for proposals may be issued to replace the daycare, which is licensed to look after 37 children.
Muri requested the project be deferred until the future of the childcare is determined.
No one seconded Muri’s motion, although Coun. Alan Nixon suggested changing the financial arrangement of the project.
“I think we have perhaps wider needs and stronger needs than devoting $155,000 to public art when we obviously have this big hole of 35 kids who aren’t going to be looked after,” he said.
Benefits to the district include a $455,000 community amenity contribution as well as two public art pieces.
The project, which is a joint effort between the church and Marcon Developments, also includes four apartment units to be sold for $135,000 in order to provide affordable living spaces for people with disabilities. The units are slated to be operated by the North Shore Disability Resource Centre.
The apartment would include a 94-stall underground garage, despite the district setting a minimum of 124 parking spaces.
“I think what has happened is the applicant has proposed a parking ratio that does not meet the current recommendations of our bylaws and notwithstanding that, staff are supporting that based on evidence that’s provided by the proponent,” Nixon said.
While Nixon said the project may “unfortunately” set a precedent due to the diminishing congregations of many North Vancouver churches, Coun. Roger Bassam disagreed.
“There are no precedents in municipal politics. Every decision is made on its own merits,” Bassam said.
A traffic study states the development will generate 36 two-way trips during morning rush hour and another 43 trips during the afternoon rush hour. A staff report judged the increase in traffic to be insignificant; equivalent to less than one vehicle each minute in either direction.
Couns. Mike Little and Doug MacKay-Dunn did not attend the meeting.
