The District of North Vancouver is undertaking a review of the Public Assembly (PA) zoned lands within the municipality. The PA lands include schools, churches and other broad uses such as recreation facilities and community centres. Using the District’s Official Community Plan as a foundation, the purpose of the review
is to determine whether sufficient lands are available to meet long-term community needs, and to establish criteria for considering changes to PA lands.
Sharlene participated in a well attended Faith Leaders Meeting hosted by the DNV on October 9th to discuss this issue. Church property zoned Public Assembly presents a very unique challenge for land use planning. The Mayor opened the meeting; Kudos to Mayor and DNV staff for a superbly managed and engaging discussion.
The DNV is discussing the PA land review with the School board and other ‘stakeholders’. In response to a participant’s query regarding the timeline, staff responded that it is hoped that Council will have a strategy/policy by the end of this quarter.
Should a Public Assembly Land Review be a district-wide initiative that engages not just ‘stakeholders’ but residents? Staff advised the public would have an opportunity for input, but no details were provided.
— by Sharlene Hertz
Delbrook North Vancouver 