Too much development happening at a time in Edgemont ?

By Gagandeep Ghuman

There were words of support and concern from local citizens for a proposed 25-unit townhome project on Ridgewood Drive in the Edgemont area of North Vancouver. Boffin properties is proposing to build 25 townhomes, likely priced for $1.5 million, at the southeast corner of Ridgewood Drive and Ayr Avenue.

The three-bedroom units will range approximately 1,700 to 2,400 sq ft. The developer is giving $180,000 as community amenity and offering some off-site improvements such as a new pedestrian crosswalk and a new sidewalk and boulevard to be installed on the east side of Ayr Avenue.

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Erik Jensen, the president of the Edgemont Village Business Association said there is too much development happening all at one time which effects the ability of business to operate effectively.

‘There is too much development and business is down. People are avoiding going through the village because the traffic is too difficult, there is too many crossing guards and stop signs stopping people. One of the doctors in the village have said that patients are arriving late and they can’t find parking,” he said.

Jensen said the constant construction has put a lot of stress on businesses within the Edgemont area, and he would like council to stall the project, a message he said he was asked to deliver from the merchants.

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Robin Delany, the owner of Delany’s Coffee, said Boffo has been supportive of the merchants but he expressed concerns about the timing of the project. “The term that merchants would like me to use is development fatigue. They are just tired, may be because there was an error made in allowing two big developments to go at the same time. It has proved to be problematic to say the least,” he said.

Delany said he supported this particular project but suggested to council the proposed project not go ahead until the completion of the Thrifty grocer store. Alex Troll, the owner of The Juicery Co in Edgemont said she was in support of the project and felt that the project will benefit local business.

Troll said there has been an increase but customers have been able to walk to the store, which also include a lot of families and regulars. “The traffic hasn’t affected our sales. We would like to see more growth in the village and we need more walk by traffic and the village to be livelier,” she said.

Edgemont resident Gordon Savages said the construction and density were killing the quality of life in the North Shore and council should encourage more rentals and affordable housing, which the proposed project doesn’t support.

Local resident Erin Macnair expressed concern with the amount of development and pedestrian safety and increased traffic while another resident Alyson Kelly said the proposed development will provide more housing options for young families although she said the increase in construction has impacted the Edgemont neighbourhood.