North Shore Updates

[RedArbutus]

Originally Posted by mcj

Something being spectacular is relevant. ~15 stories, while significant for the neighbourhood, isn't really all that impressive even in the CNV (for example, it would be on the low end of the towers in the Cap Mall redevelopment). Great development for the area though, definitely in line with my expectations. Do you know if there's a provision for a future Skytrain station included? or any major transit related component?

Oh of course, I agree, just highlighting that it's very different from the current 2.0 FSR townhomes in the area.

I asked the consultants about transit and they told me that they received zero direction to take any future transit planning into consideration. Major infrastructure wasn't a part of their scope, and other than having adequate landscaping supporting bays for existing Rapidbus services there was no information on BRT/Skytrain. Not that this seemed feasible in the first place, but if taken at face value then it shoots down any speculation some of us might have had about them making "space" for a skytrain station in line with a future IWMB upgrade.

[mcj]

Originally Posted by RedArbutus

Oh of course, I agree, just highlighting that it's very different from the current 2.0 FSR townhomes in the area.

I asked the consultants about transit and they told me that they received zero direction to take any future transit planning into consideration. Major infrastructure wasn't a part of their scope, and other than having adequate landscaping supporting bays for existing Rapidbus services there was no information on BRT/Skytrain. Not that this seemed feasible in the first place, but if taken at face value then it shoots down any speculation some of us might have had about them making "space" for a skytrain station in line with a future IWMB upgrade.

Appreciate the insight!

And yes agreed, certainly different for the neighbourhood, but still quite modest for a prime spot of land serviced by frequent Bus service, soon to be "BRT" and future Skytrain.

[domusile]

Originally Posted by RedArbutus

No, it's going to be 15+ stories. They're making an OCP amendment for two towers resting on a podium and specifically aiming for a boutique/urban grocery store as part of the commercial mix. Unless something has changed significantly since I last saw the renderings a month ago!

Are there plans to relocate the substation?

[RedArbutus]

Originally Posted by domusile

Are there plans to relocate the substation?

The substation is supposedly staying - it's BC Hydro property and doesn't belong to Translink/CMBC - but weirdly on the CNV website the zoning tool includes almost the entire block in the proposal. Not sure if that's just a technical quirk or what.

edit: I should specify that a small portion of the rear half (in line with the substation) belongs to Translink and it's going to be developed into a handful of strata freehold townhomes. The rest of the residential property is going to be entirely rental.

[domusile]

Originally Posted by RedArbutus

The substation is supposedly staying - it's BC Hydro property and doesn't belong to Translink/CMBC - but weirdly on the CNV website the zoning tool includes almost the entire block in the proposal. Not sure if that's just a technical quirk or what.

edit: I should specify that a small portion of the rear half (in line with the substation) belongs to Translink and it's going to be developed into a handful of strata freehold townhomes. The rest of the residential property is going to be entirely rental.

Thanks for clarifying. I saw the same thing on their website so must be a glitch.

[jozero]

City of North Vancouver launched "Reimagine Central Lonsdale" project:

Reimagine Central Lonsdale

[jollyburger]

CNV Lonsdale "Great Street" planning.. by banning currency exchanges

Central Lonsdale plays a vital role for those living, working and visiting the area. The City of North Vancouver recognizes the many strengths and successes of this corridor and is working with a globally recognized urban strategy and design firm - Gehl and Associates(External link) - to help forge a vision for an even more vibrant and inclusive Central Lonsdale in the future.

Our goal - to help Central Lonsdale become our city’s next 'great street' – a street with a diverse and vibrant mix of attractions, events, and businesses, where everyone can live, work, visit and play.

The Lonsdale Great Street Project study area is bounded by Chesterfield Ave to the west, the Trans-Canada Highway to the north, St. Georges Ave to the east, and Victoria Park/Keith Road to the south.

https://letstalk.cnv.org/lonsdalegre...edium=referral

[RedArbutus]

Translink's next RED project in Moodyville officially has a website with rezoning/OCP amendment proposal details: https://www.translink.ca/moodyville

Developer Information Session is at John Braithwaite Community Centre on Thursday January 30 from 6.00 to 8.00pm.

[jollyburger]

16 storeys... Better than nothing I guess





I assume there's zero chance you are doing elevated guideways with that road width..

[RedArbutus]

Yeah, definitely not. Which is good, as my better half would go ballistic with an elevated Skytrain looking into our bedroom window

[chowhou]

I wonder if the project will be designed to support a future underground Skytrain station? It's in Translink's best interest to set aside space for a station entrance I think, even if it doesn't get used anytime soon. Even though Translink never ended up using it, requiring the Crossroads building at Cambie and Broadway to allocate space for potential future transit expansion was simply a good idea and has never had critics.

[jollyburger]

Maybe they'll build the deepest Skytrain station at Moodyville.

Granville is 25 metres/82 feet.

[RedArbutus]

Originally Posted by chowhou

I wonder if the project will be designed to support a future underground Skytrain station? It's in Translink's best interest to set aside space for a station entrance I think, even if it doesn't get used anytime soon. Even though Translink never ended up using it, requiring the Crossroads building at Cambie and Broadway to allocate space for potential future transit expansion was simply a good idea and has never had critics.

That's what I wondered in the Transit Fantasies thread last summer. The consultant I spoke with re: the Moodyville development was adamant that the project scope for Francl was purely residential/commercial development + public streetscape design. Have received no instruction from Translink to consider major transit instructure such as a future underground station. They showed me some sample diagrams and only the parkade appears to be below grade. But who knows that could change during actual development application process in the next year or so, assuming that the OCP amendment goes through...

[BaddieB]

Originally Posted by chowhou

I wonder if the project will be designed to support a future underground Skytrain station? It's in Translink's best interest to set aside space for a station entrance I think, even if it doesn't get used anytime soon. Even though Translink never ended up using it, requiring the Crossroads building at Cambie and Broadway to allocate space for potential future transit expansion was simply a good idea and has never had critics.

The Skytrain is going elevated along Low Level Road. It's the most obvious route, unless someone has a cool billion to spend on tunnelling under 3rd so the Skytrain can be 300 metres upland. It's going to be a Sapperton type situation.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by BaddieB

The Skytrain is going elevated along Low Level Road. It's the most obvious route, unless someone has a cool billion to spend on tunnelling under 3rd so the Skytrain can be 300 metres upland. It's going to be a Sapperton type situation.

If it's so obvious then why do all the other reports have it going up 3rd Street?

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by BaddieB

The Skytrain is going elevated along Low Level Road. It's the most obvious route, unless someone has a cool billion to spend on tunnelling under 3rd so the Skytrain can be 300 metres upland. It's going to be a Sapperton type situation.

Ignore the fact that all the technical reports have the routing up 3rd Street..

[Migrant_Coconut]

Low Level Road severely reduces the catchment area - it cuts the stations off from all the density happening around both 3rd and Lonsdale, in exchange for grain silos, railways and water.. That's the kind of compromise that bites you in the ass ten years later like with the Canada Line.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Low Level Road severely reduces the catchment area - it cuts the stations off from all the density happening around both 3rd and Lonsdale, in exchange for grain silos, railways and water. That's the kind of compromise that bites you in the ass ten years later like with the Canada Line.

And it totally ignores where the guideway is going to go along Low Level Road. The port isn't going to let them build in that direction so a further widening will end up costing $300 million and then figure out an elevated guideway through Esplande and up Forbes.

A station at Moodyville long-term is a better route for any transit to Lynn Valley (vs Mountain Highway) and frequent bus service up/down Grand Blvd would open up that area for development as well. Mountain Highway has the same problem as the Low Level road with zero upside in terms of development.

[mcj]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Low Level Road severely reduces the catchment area - it cuts the stations off from all the density happening around both 3rd and Lonsdale, in exchange for grain silos, railways and water.. That's the kind of compromise that bites you in the ass ten years later like with the Canada Line.

Or like Sapperton / Braid station not being aligned with Columbia/North Road.

[Migrant_Coconut]

And then they'll likely have to use a tunnel anyway to go from Forbes back onto 3rd, unless they can convince the Squamish to evict half of Mission 1 for the viaduct - that'll be wonderful PR for TransLink.