QuadReal Property Group, the proponents of the massive Capilano Mall redevelopment, are expected to submit a detailed OCP amendment application to the City of North Vancouver this Spring. The City of North Vancouver will lead the public engagement through the summer, with a public hearing in the fall and a council decision expected by the winter of 2025.
The Capilano Mall redevelopment’s proponents invite the public to give online feedback. The online comment period is until Friday, January 10, 2025. “Capilano Mall is over 50 years old. It’s time to consider the site and determine how it can better suit the needs of residents of the City of North Vancouver and the North Shore into the future,” the proponents say.
What’s proposed in new development
The total site area is 16.5 acres, and the developer is proposing 11 towers, whose height will vary between 12 and 40 storeys. The residential area will cover approximately 2,784,000 square feet. The redevelopment will include around 3,100 homes. Of these homes, 30% will be rental homes. Mid-market rental homes will account for 10% of the rental homes. Retail and commercial spaces will occupy 152,000 square feet.
1.5 Acre Feature Park: At the northwest gateway along Marine Dr, QuadReal is planning a significant public space directly connected to the enhanced creek with the closure of Hamilton Ave.
A 20,000 – 30,000 square feet community centre and a significant Transit node are proposed at the north end of the site. The development will have a mix of rental, below-market, workforce, and market housing, as well as inclusive housing for all ages and abilities, including accessible living spaces.
The developer plans to retain Walmart as an anchor tenant and community resource. There are plans to design a main pedestrian-only route to connect Marine Drive to the South Village, with retail spaces along the way. The development will also directly connect to an improved MacKay Creek and a link to the existing trail system along McKay Creek and beyond.
There are plans to partially close Hamilton Ave to create a park that connects to the Creek. Non-profit office space is also being explored, with Third Street reimagined as a ‘lively high street’ with a mix of retail, restaurants and services. Those who are interested in learning more can visit the project website.
We understand the need to redevelop possible sites in The city/District of North Vancouver. Capilano Mall has been an uninteresting place for many years.
A development of this size is “overreaching”. Too many towers and too high. The Transit is not in place to accomodate this development, neither are the roadways. Marine Drive is already congested at all hours.
Lions Gate Hospital is the ONLY Hospital for the entire North Shore and beyond, we do not have sufficient Medical Clinics to cover the shortage. What about schools, have you allocated space to build a new one for all the new residences???
So many more things to bring up that I am sure others have. Additionally, Walmart may be the anchor tenant, however during construction it will be even more difficult to access them.
This is ridiculous. I have lived in North Vancouver all my life. I am 68 years old and the traffic and infrastructure has become unbearable. Getting in and out of the North Shore is painful. Now want to put up huge towers, cut traffic off which will cause more congestion. What we need is a resolve for the flow of traffic off the North Shore not making it worse bringing more tenants. The public transportation also doesn’t work especially in the District.
Dear District of North Vancouver Mayor and Council Members,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the recent approval of mixed-use building. While I understand the pressing need for housing, particularly affordable rental options, I believe this decision raises several critical questions that need to be addressed for the benefit of the community.
Firstly, I am concerned about the lack of comprehensive community engagement before this decision. Many residents, myself included, were unaware of the scale and implications of this project until after the approval. Could you provide details on how the community was consulted and whether their feedback was meaningfully incorporated?
Secondly, while the promise of below-market rentals is commendable, clarity is needed. What is the price range for these units, and how do they compare to the average wages on the North Shore? Ensuring these rentals are truly accessible to the intended demographic is essential.
Additionally, infrastructure planning is a significant concern:
1. Traffic: What traffic feasibility studies were conducted? The Capilano area is already heavily congested, and adding hundreds of new residents will undoubtedly exacerbate this issue.
2. Schools: With Capilano Elementary School or Westview already over capacity, which school catchment will accommodate children from this development? What plans are in place to ensure educational resources keep pace with population growth?
3. Healthcare: North Vancouver’s healthcare services, including Lions Gate Hospital, are under immense strain. What measures are being taken to expand access to medical care for the growing population?
4. Recreation: Will additional recreational facilities or community spaces be built to support the needs of new and existing residents?
Regarding parking, the discrepancy between the number of residential units and available parking spots is concerning. While I appreciate efforts to promote active and public transportation, many families require at least one vehicle for daily activities and grocery shopping. How will this imbalance be addressed to avoid parking overflow into surrounding neighborhoods?
Lastly, I echo Councilor Betty Forbes’ sentiments about deviations from the Official Community Plan (OCP). The OCP exists to guide sustainable and thoughtful development, and doubling the height originally planned undermines public trust in this process. Could you explain how this decision aligns with the OCP and how such exceptions will be managed in the future?
While I recognize the potential benefits of this project, including increased rental stock and economic contributions, thoughtful planning and community input must guide decisions of this magnitude. Without addressing these concerns, the livability of our community risks significant deterioration.
I look forward to your detailed responses to these questions (highlighted in bold).
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Lazaro
Born and raised here…70 years in….enough is enough….the North Shore is dying…..look around you….THE NORTH SHORE IS DYING because you all are killing it!!!!!! We don’t need more people more shopping more buildings…that most of us can never afford to live in!!! Stop destroying our neighborhoods….our peace of mind… our day to day…so you all can make more money…life is hard enough!!! STOP!!!! STOP!!! STOP!!! How many more of us do you need to drive out of our communities? But you don’t live here do you? SHAME ON YOU!!
Totally agree with you, it is absolutely disgusting what has happened to the North Shore!