DISTRICT of West Vancouver council voted unanimously Monday in favour of scaled-down park uses for a popular stretch of waterfront in Ambleside.
The changes to previously proposed zoning amendments include shrinking potential commercial spaces by as much as half, including a restaurant space from 6,000 square feet to 3,000 square feet, to maintain the cottage-country feel of the shoreline.
The area runs from 13th Street to 18th Street, south of the railroad tracks.
Council agreed that the new amendments to the municipality's official community plan and zoning bylaws addressed some residents' concerns regarding the area, some of whom argued the proposals would turn the area into New York's Coney Island.
"There was never any intention that this was going to become Coney Island, and I take some exception to that," said Coun. Michael Lewis.
Other councillors, including Nora Gambioli, echoed Lewis's sentiments.
"I don't believe this is Coney Island, we are not going in that direction," said Gambioli. "I think we will actually be increasing green space once some of the buildings that we already own come down, which will be fairly soon."
At the public hearing prior to the council meeting, most residents were supportive of the amendments.
Rey Concepcion, a father of three who lives in Westhill near the Salmon House restaurant, said he would like the community to have more local entertainment for his family.
"I find it sad that my children always have to go to North Vancouver whenever they want to have activities," said Concepcion. "We should have the option of waterfront dining and some sort of cultural activities."
Other residents were still reluctant about the proposal of a restaurant, including Bellevue Avenue resident Carolyn Gilbert who said it's "redundant" to have a restaurant along the waterfront when similar operations are struggling in the area.
"This shoreline is West Vancouver's greatest asset and should be preserved in as natural a state as possible," said Gilbert, adding that commercial use along the shoreline is "inappropriate."
But the councillors said a restaurant would help bring greater recreational use to the park.
"What we are trying to include is something that balances the use as a green space with the use as a social space," said Coun. Craig Cameron. "In any location in the world where people get together and socialize, they eat and they drink. That is what human beings do."
Cameron said having a local, small-scale restaurant could entice people to use the park more in the evenings and throughout the year.
"It's meant to be open, accessible, friendly and very much integrated with the public spaces in the park," said Cameron. "It's meant to add to how the park can be used."
Gambioli added that park accessories, including restaurants, arts and cultural facilities would be debated separately and include public input on proposals and designs, something that is stated in the amended bylaws.
"It doesn't actually say we are going to do all these things right away," said Gambioli. "It leaves the door open to some of these uses that we may want to have in the future."
Coun. Mary-Ann Booth agreed that leaving the door open for new facilities could increase the energy of the area and noted one famous local park as an example.
"There are parks that do include commercial operations, including our beloved Stanley Park," said Booth. "I believe that we can make it a win-win for all 44,000 residents of this community by offering more options that bring people down to the community and enliven our waterfront."
Cameron said that having a place for kids and finding balance within the community is key. "We can have a park that does everything for all the people," said Cameron. "We have to think about appealing to not just one demographic but all the demographics in the community."
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