DNV

New Housing Legislation Info Sessions

LVCA

The following is an extract of
https://www.dnv.org/community-environment/new-provincial-housing-legislation

In November 2023, the provincial government passed legislation intended to increase housing supply and improve affordability in all B.C. municipalities. https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023PREM0062-001706
To achieve this goal, the B.C. government has made changes to allow more homes and offer different types of housing across the province in single-family neighbourhoods, and near transit hubs and other frequent transit corridors.


UPCOMING PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETINGS
In-person Public Information Meeting
The in-person public information meeting will begin with a presentation, followed by an opportunity to mingle with staff to ask questions and learn more.

  • Thursday, April 11, 6:30 – 8:30pm – In-person Public Information Meeting at Parkgate Community Centre (3625 Banff Court, North Vancouver)
  • Wednesday, April 17, 6:30 – 8:30pm – In-person Public Information Meeting at District Hall, Council Chambers (355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver)

Virtual Public Information Meeting
The virtual public information meetings will begin with a presentation, followed by a facilitated question and answer session with staff.

How the changes will affect the District
The new legislation fundamentally changes how the District – and all local governments in B.C. – plans, considers and approves development and growth across our entire community.

These rules require the District to allow increased density in neighbourhoods traditionally zoned for detached single-family homes and duplexes. This increase in density also requires updates to strategic, long-term visioning for our community and to the municipality’s zoning bylaws.

District staff are reviewing policies that are impacted by these changes as the province requires that all relevant bylaws must be updated by June 30, 2024.
Key facts

  • In most single-family neighbourhoods, the legislation supports up to three or four units per lot. In single-family neighbourhoods near frequent transit service, this could be as many as six units per lot.
  • The provincial government has designated Transit Oriented Development Areas with minimum densities and heights near Phibbs Exchange and Capilano University.
  • As part of the new rules, municipalities are no longer allowed to hold public hearings for residential projects that conform to the District’s Official Community Plan.
  • The District’s Housing Needs Report, Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw must be updated by December 2025 to accommodate 20 years of projected residential growth.

Related documents

Get more details on the government’s website for local government housing initiatives <https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/local-governments-and-housing/housing-initiatives>

Dogs, People and Parks

LVCA

In keeping with the guidance in the Parks and Open Spaces Strategic Plan 2012, the North Vancouver District is working to continue developing guidelines for parks and trail planning that promote safety and enjoyment for all.

They have heard many comments and requests from the community that relate to dogs in District Parks. Along with a desire to create new opportunities to recreate with dogs in parks, they also hear about conflicts relating to interactions with dogs, waste management, environmental concerns and more.

The District wants to hear from you whether you are a dog owner or not.

This survey will take about 15 minutes to complete all sections. Most questions are optional so you don’t have to answer every question, however, click through to the end of the survey to ensure your responses are submitted.

Deadline DECEMBER 5TH.

https://www.dnv.org/parks-trails-recreation/dog-plan

DNV Urban Tree Canopy Project

LVCA

A more diverse and healthy urban tree canopy will help us take action against climate change and increase biodiversity and wildlife habitat.

Plant a tree, make a difference.

The DNV is enhancing the urban tree canopy by giving free trees to homeowners, and plants or shrubs to people living in apartments and condos, as part of their Urban Tree Canopy Project.

Program history

The DNV invited residential property owners to participate in the inaugural Urban Tree Canopy program in 2021. 

In 2022, they expanded the program so those living in apartments or condos could receive a plant or shrub for their balcony. This year’s program offers a variety of tree and shrub species: cedar, fir, dogwood, shore pine, big leaf maple, willow, Nootka rose, woolly sunflower, tall Oregon grape, and Douglas aster.

To date, District residents have received 689 trees and shrubs to plant and help grow our tree canopy. 

The Urban Tree Canopy program is run in partnership with Coast Salish Plant Nursery and the Wild Bird Trust. Funds from the environmental compensation fee account were used to run the program.

Register today!

https://www.dnv.org/community-environment/urban-tree-canopy-project

To get your free plants, fill out the online linked above before Sept. 15, 2023. All plants are available while supplies last.

How the program works

If you own or rent a home in the District, you can apply to receive three trees and/or three shrubs for free, depending on your available space.

To request your free plants, fill out the online form linked above before September 15, 2023.

All plants are available while supplies last. DNV will be providing substitutions if any plant species run out.

After you submit your request

You’ll receive a confirmation email after submitting the online form. They will also email you approximately two weeks before the plant pick up days (Oct. 21 and 22) with more information about pickup times and parking, etc.

Picking up your trees or shrubs

You can pick up your plants at the Maplewood Flats Conservation Area (2649 Dollarton Hwy) on October 21 or 22, 2023. If you’re unavailable on the days above, and are unable to have someone else pick up your plants, email iwantatree@dnv.org to arrange a different time

If you’d like to know more about the native plants being offered, and which ones are suitable for your yard or balcony, refer to the plant information sheet (PDF file link) and by visiting the website to view videos on the program, how to choose, how to plant and care for your plants and so much more@

Meet Me at the Gallery

LVCA

Are you a Senior? Love art? Love meeting new people?

Meet Me at The Gallery is a daytime art program at The Polygon Gallery dedicated to enriching the lives of seniors in our community with monthly get-togethers inspired by the gallery’s current exhibitions.

Visitors are invited to drop-in on the first Wednesday of every month at 10:00 am to make new connections with art, and each other! A different activity will greet visitors every month, with social time to follow.

Admission is by donation, free for members

For more info and registration visit: https://thepolygon.ca/event/meet-me-at-the-gallery/

Annual Youth Awards

LVCA

Youth Awards nominations are open!

Do you know an exceptional young person who is working hard to make life better for themselves, their peers, or the community?

Maybe they’ve overcome personal challenges or obstacles… or maybe they’ve made a significant achievement in academics, sports, or music… or maybe they’re doing volunteer work to help make the District a better place to live, work, or play.

Whatever the accomplishment, celebrate it with a Youth Award.

Each year, awards are given in four categories:

Youth Recognition Award

For young people who have made great personal strides, overcome personal or societal barriers, or demonstrated great skill in music, academics, art, or sports.

Youth Community Enhancement Award

For young volunteers who have made positive contributions to the community by providing at least 75 hours of service on a committee, or by working with a local organization or group.

Outstanding Youth-Friendly Business/Supporter of Youth Award

For a person or business that did an exceptional job in hiring or training youth, providing opportunities to youth, or providing funding, support, or services to young people. 

Outstanding Youth Team Award

Recognizes a group of young people (ages 10 – 24) who have completed a minimum of 50 hours per person of community (or school) service to enhance programs or services in their school or community.

Nominations Deadline is March 13, 2023 @11:59PM PST

For more information and how to nominate that special youth, go to: Annual Youth Awards

Zoning Bylaw Amendment for Cannabis Store in Lynn Valley

LVCA

WHEN: February 7, 2023 @ 7pm

A PUBLIC HEARING will be held on February 7th in a hybrid format with a combination of in-person at the Council Chamber and electronic participation by some or all members of council, staff and the public.

Currently a ‘Cannabis Retail Store’ is not listed as a permitted use of property for the Lynn Valley Town Centre and there is a proposal – Bylaw 8607 – to change the Zoning to allow it.

Council wants to hear from us and welcomes our input regarding this change.

When and How: The Public Hearing will take place on Tuesday, February 7th 2023 at 7pm. You can sign up to speak at the hearing by contacting the Municipal Clerk at signup@dnv.org prior to 3pm on Tue. Feb. 7th 2023. You may also provide a written submission at any time prior to the close of the public hearing by sending it by email to the Municipal Clerk at input@dnv.org or by mail to Municipal Clerk, 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, BC V7N 4N5

After the speakers list has been exhausted, there will be an opportunity for additional speakers who had not signed up in advance to make submissions. * editor’s note: this will be at Council’s discretion

PLEASE NOTE! Once this public hearing is over, you will NOT be able to submit further opinions concerning this application. So if you have questions or concerns – NOW is the time to speak up.

Need more info?

For your convenience we’ve made the notice for the hearing from the District of North Vancouver available here. DOWNLOAD PDF

Additional relevant background material and copies of the bylaw are available fo review at the Clerk’s Office or online at www.DNV.org/public-hearing

New Items Added to the Blue Bin!

LVCA

Recycling is important. Did you know that by choosing to recycle and reducing your carbon footprint, you are playing a vital role in reducing the damaging effect to the environment.

The more people choose to recycle, the greater the impact recycling will have.

Recycling helps extend the life and usefulness of something that has already served its initial purpose by reducing it back to its raw materials and then repurposing those materials to produce something that is once again useable. It’s part of the three golden rules of sustainability (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle)

Good News!

More items have been added to BC’s recycling system so that more items can be put into our Blue Bin or dropped off at a depot.

We can now put single-use cups, cutlery, bowls, plates, and aluminum foil into the Blue Bin.

For a full list and information visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023ENV0001-000006

Sewer Upgrades along Mountain Hwy

LVCA

In the coming weeks, work will beginning to replace the sewer on Mountain Hwy between approximately East 24th and East 18th Street.

The District of North Vancouver has identified that the sanitary trunk sewer along Mountain Hwy is nearing its end of useful life and is due for replacement. The new trunk sewer will be installed using micro-tunneling methods meant to be less disruptive, less expensive and more environmentally friendly compared to traditional methods.

We’ve attached a PDF of the letter and map of the area to be worked on from the District, outlining the ‘what’, ‘why’ and ‘how’ but the ‘when’ (duration) will depend. Apparently it will take one year to complete. They expect to keep one lane of traffic open in each direction for the duration.

Note that vehicle access to and from East 20th Street via Mountain Hwy will be closed.

Updates can be found at : www.dnv.org/lynn-valley-sewer/ and if you have any questions or concerns about this project, you can contact the project team directly by email at: LynnValleySewer@dnv.org or by phone (604) 990-2450.

DNV Letter and Map PDF

All Candidates Meeting registration

LVCA

Join us as LVCA hosts an All Candidates meeting on October 5th, 7pm at the Lynn Valley Rec Centre.

This is your chance to meet the candidates running for (re)election in the District of North Vancouver.who are hoping for your vote in the election for Council.    

As space is limited, we appreciate you registering in advance and telling us your (2) two top questions/concerns you would like addressed at this meeting. 

DEADLINE TO REGISTER AND SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS/CONCERNS IS TUESDAY, OCT. 4TH

** Registration Form **

We look forward to seeing you! 

If you want change in your community, become educated on who you are voting for… don’t cast a vote just because you recognize a name.

#OurLynnValleyCommunity

Water Conservation

Cathy Kuzel

The Metro Vancouver region – that includes us here on the North Shore – experiences a 50% increase in potable water use, attributed primarily to lawn watering, during summer months.

Did You Know? Last year’s ‘heat dome’ led to 1.795 billion litres (yes, that’s billion with a ‘b’!) of potable (drinkable) water used in one day across our region.

Continue reading →