As the new, densified Moodyville takes shape, City of North Vancouver council is contemplating a two-building, 200-unit mixed-use development in the middle of it.
Council voted 5-1 to advance the East Third Street and St. Davids Avenue project Oct. 7 despite misgivings from several neighbours concerned about noise as well as shadows cast by the larger of the two buildings, which tops out at six storeys.
The proposed residential and commercial project would be spread over the 400 block of East Third Street and 341-343 St. Davids Avenue.
Separated by a plaza, the project includes a four-storey residential building as well as a mixed-use building that is four storeys at East Fourth Street but six storeys as the site slopes down to East Third.
The height would be “jarring to the naked eye,” according to one neighbour who spoke to council.
The tallest building in the immediate area is a three-storey rental at 372 East Third St.
The proposal by Cascadia Green Development includes 19 units of commercial space as well as a daycare, which concerned neighbour Leicha Bragg, who said the design would create: “an echo chamber of noise radiating into our home.”
The changing neighbourhood needs a daycare, according to Coun. Holly Back.
“We definitely need the daycare in that area because we are so excited about selling all those Moodyville homes to families.”
Calling it a “great project,” Back suggested the development would create a “neighbourhood hub” lacking in Moodyville.
While he supported elements of the project, Coun. Don Bell said he had “serious concerns” about the development on East Fourth Street.
Seen from above, the sailboat-shaped project consists of a long quadrilateral between St. Patricks and St. Davids avenues as well as a smaller parcel at the corner of St. Davids Avenue and East Fourth Street.
“I think that we’re changing the character of that section by that development on that corner,” he said, explaining his decision to vote against sending the project to a public hearing.
Noting the dearth of commercial and retail space in Moodyville, Coun. Tina Hu supported the project. However, Hu also emphasized the need to consider the “neighbours’ quality of life.”
Coun. Angela Girard also raised concerns about the size of the development.
“We really need to be thoughtful about the placement of that childcare and the massing along the lot on Fourth Street,” she said.
The city does not yet have a date for the public meeting.
Mayor Linda Buchanan did not attend the meeting.
