Lower Lonsdale Store rezoned because owner couldn’t find a tenant for two years

Professional and semi-professional offices, a gym, a child care and a bank are new possibilities a rezoning would create for a Lower Lonsdale store that has been lying vacant for the last two years.

City of North Vancouver council voted unanimously to change rezoning for a 8,000-square feet commercial unit located at the plaza level of 132 West Esplanade, close to the Rogers Plaza.

The rezoning would increase the possibility that the store could be rented again. Proponent Ryan Sekhon told the council it had been difficult to secure a tenant due to the restrictions on current use. He was confident the rezoning would help in the unit being leased.

“If approved, our search for a viable tenant will broaden and could potentially attract more employers to the area, playing a role in the economic development of North Vancouver in a location with exceptional access to public transportation,” Sekhon said.

Other nearby stores include Tao Organic restaurant, Brathwaite Community Centre, the CNV community wood shop and Ride Cycle fitness studio. Due to the absence of public concern, staff recommended that the public hearing be waived. The staff and the council were supportive of the rezoning change that would enable the unit to be rented again.

“The location of the commercial space is ideal for employment-generating uses. The location of the site near a key transit hub and at the heart of Lower Lonsdale makes it an excellent location for commercial activity and would be particularly ideal for an employment-generating use,” the staff told the council.

Councillor Don Bell said the building was underutilized. Although there was concern expressed about noise by one citizen, the rezoning would be consistent with the council goals, he added.

“We are talking about the health of our business community here,” he said.