The North Vancouver School District is backing down on plans to build a parking lot on a piece of green space at Ridgeway Elementary.
On Oct. 19, parents of Ridgeway students organized a protest along Moody Avenue in hopes of warding off the delivery of construction materials to build a parking lot.
The controversy stems from the addition in 2016 of the larger modular building on the east side of the property to hold more classrooms. The City of North Vancouver granted a temporary occupancy permit that is due to expire next month. In order for that building to comply with zoning rules, the city would have to add an additional 14 parking stalls somewhere on the site.
“We believe that, after taking 30 per cent of our school play area away for the addition of the modular, that any further reduction in available play space should be taken only if absolutely necessary,” said Ridgeway Parent Advisory Council president Arieanna Schweber at the time.
On Thursday morning, schools Supt. Mark Pearmain sent a letter to Ridgeway parents telling them the school district would instead seek a variance from the city to allow the modular building to stay without adding more parking.
Initially, the district opted not to seek the variance because administrators were “trying to balance the needs of the Ridgeway school community and the local residents.”
“There are regular concerns from the community about traffic safety during drop-off/pickup times and the lack of parking causing congestion around the school,” a statement from the school district read.
The change in plans is a victory for the parents who wanted to see the schoolyard kept as it is, but Schweber said the process has been frustrating, with a lack of consultation by the district.
“(The letter) kind of vilifies our position, which was a very uncomfortable thing to have said. But that’s OK. The end result is they are pursuing the variance,” she said. “The idea of communication not just with the community but with the parents is something that’s fallen apart in the district. … I would say that should kind of be an important discussion we continue pursuing as a community – transparency at the school district.”
Pearmain addressed the consultation matter in his letter to parents.
“At the April 2018 parent advisory council meeting, parents were informed of the location for the parking lot behind the modular building. However, I recognize that the school district’s communication fell short this school year regarding updates for this project. We have identified areas within our internal communications that can be improved to keep parents better apprised moving forward,” he wrote.
The school district says the area planned for the parking lot is off limits for students and educational assistants, though Schweber said – informally, at least – it was well used by them.
