There's still an option to see for yourself. On Saturday BPP is having an event at Amici Restaurant, 1747 Marine Drive. Time TBD, but probably 10am to noon.
Confirmed. 10am to noon at Amici Restaurant. No barbecue, but good coffee.
There's still an option to see for yourself. On Saturday BPP is having an event at Amici Restaurant, 1747 Marine Drive. Time TBD, but probably 10am to noon.
Confirmed. 10am to noon at Amici Restaurant. No barbecue, but good coffee.
Would a picture raise some interest?
NSMBA would be the best manager, as it would be know what the network should be, better than any other organization (debates about flow vs. gnar aside). But would require some paid staff that could interface with the overall scheme for trails on the North Shore. Maybe NSMBA could create a seperate arm, fully funded by outside sources such as BPP / DWV, but with governance that included a tie-in to NSMBA trail plans.
So governance by NSMBA, but funded externally and not reliant on volunteers.
EDIT: an example of this, sort of, is how some BC municipalities contract with the BCSPCA to run their animal control programs.
2,000 units of new housing that obliterates community wild-lands (not quite "wilderness") can easily pay for, through property taxes, a full time trail manager and occasional additional labour. Seeded with an endowment from BPP as somebody above suggested.
I went to the cafe this AM. They are presenting 3 different development plans, all of which eat up about the same amount of land, and leave the same amount for trails and recreational use. Overall I don't care which of the options go ahead, but I think the planned development form is pretty damn good, compared to the clearcut alternative that's been the approach on the lands to the east. The Cypress Village plan is very dense and concentrated along the exiting Eagle Lake road, up to the hydro substation.
It is pretty amazing that the developer is putting so much effort into preserving, nay, PROMOTING, trails.
I doubt the gondola and the mid-mtn campus (intended for some sort of eco-related institution) will come to be, which is good, as I'd hope those lands are left alone.
I am not a rock climber, but the planner I was speaking to said that an area below Eagle Lake road is a popular bouldering area (a rock called Moby Dick??) and they are intent on building around that and preserving this area as well.
I went to the cafe this AM. They are presenting 3 different development plans, all of which eat up about the same amount of land, and leave the same amount for trails and recreational use. Overall I don't care which of the options go ahead, but I think the planned development form is pretty damn good, compared to the clearcut alternative that's been the approach on the lands to the east. The Cypress Village plan is very dense and concentrated along the exiting Eagle Lake road, up to the hydro substation.
It is pretty amazing that the developer is putting so much effort into preserving, nay, PROMOTING, trails.
I doubt the gondola and the mid-mtn campus (intended for some sort of eco-related institution) will come to be, which is good, as I'd hope those lands are left alone.
I am not a rock climber, but the planner I was speaking to said that an area below Eagle Lake road is a popular bouldering area (a rock called Moby Dick??) and they are intent on building around that and preserving this area as well.
Nice, this sounds encouraging. It's great that the developer sees the value in these recreational assets.
I also went to the cafe and am pleased with how transparent BPP is being and how they have started what could end up as a constructive dialogue.
But all those pictures of riding and bouldering and gondolas may as well be of unicorns; if you ask BPP, they're not willing to participate in ANY of them. They're using the potential of the area (and I agree that the potential is there) as a selling point for their plan - but their plan does not include any of this stuff. Their plan not preventing these things should not be considered the same as including them.
Next poster they're going to put up is that the development will bring world peace! How it will get there of course is up to everyone except BPP.
But the reality is that theyre going to carve up as much of the forest as they can sell and as much as the DWV will allow them to. They're talking about their plan in very public ways, which is good, but I feel that it is mostly to placate the various communities because they're likely afraid of opposition. Imagine the bouldering center they could build! Who wants a gondola to get to the third and forth switchback? It would be awesome if someone wants to do that, but its not going to be BPP.
I kinda think that those trails are an amazing heritage site myself. I mean, an entire sport was created on those trails specifically, wasnt it?
But as far as developers go, BPP seems to be as good as they come. The guys are super approachable and they're being honest. Not sarcastic, as much as I dislike their concept (perhaps selfishly), Im impressed with their approach. The proof will be in the pudding if someone steps up and commits to managing any of this recreation and then pushes for BPP to fund that build. Its easy to show amazing pictures and say "look at the potential"! If you removed all the photos of things that BPP wasnt willing to build and fund, the presentation at the cafe would be cut by 80%
I greatly appreciate their tolerance of riding on their land right now. Great ride up BLT and Upper Tall Cans/Wutang with my 11yo today. Good times.
But all those pictures of riding and bouldering and gondolas may as well be of unicorns; if you ask BPP, they're not willing to participate in ANY of them. They're using the potential of the area (and I agree that the potential is there) as a selling point for their plan - but their plan does not include any of this stuff. Their plan not preventing these things should not be considered the same as including them.
I 100% agree with you. However, not preventing these things is far and away such an improvement over specifically eliminating the possibility of these things (i.e. clearcut heaven to the east) that it deserves some kudos.
Now, I am ignorant as to whether the general form of development being planned is being forced on them by DWV, or is their own alternative to single family sprawl. If the former, they seem to be embracing it pretty nicely. If the latter, its probably a way to make more money out of the available land - but either way, its good for the trails.
I will reserve my opinion as to whether this dense satellite development will be of interest to buyers… but perhaps it would be of interest to me as a retirement destination (great views, good access to the woods, perhaps sufficient local services that preclude needing to drive much) as long as there's a good ambulance run to Lions Gate Hospital!
I think that BPPs development will ultimately be very bad for the nearby trails but am happy that they're communicating so well. They don't have to.
I'm also certain that if they could clear cut Cypress they'd do that. The gnar is everywhere and it makes most of the land not suitable for development.
Too bad Cypress isn't 100% gnar!!!
I'm also certain that if they could clear cut Cypress they'd do that. The gnar is everywhere and it makes most of the land not suitable for development.
Likely.
Although they sure do develop some pretty steep slopes, probably considered undevelopable in other places.
when lots go for millions, you can make houses anywhere.
:canada:
In the same way it's easy to be negative about affordability issues in Vancouver, it's easy to be negative about losing trails to housing development. However, focusing on the negatives won't get us far, especially given how little power we have to change the situation. Let's look at some positive aspects:
BPP has invited mountain bikers to the conversation. They want our feedback on trail routing, trail management, and how mountain bikers might fit into the Cypress Village concept as a whole. They don't have to do this, but I like to see it as an extended olive branch. I for one will continue to show up when possible, despite it feeling like a never-ending process.
We can still ride and maintain trails with relative autonomy. Although BPP will definitely take issue if lines are cut in all over the place, we are still able to ride and maintain the trails we have until at some point we can't. They could close the gates and forbid access, but they don't. If we prove ourselves as respectful trail users and stewards, surely that can only help our cause in the future.
Cypress Village is not advertised as more British Properties mega-mansions. There is emphasis on livability, green space, higher density, and recreation. This type is development is the type that we want in Metro Vancouver, not more endless monotonous suburbs.
Through all adversity, the one thing you can control is your attitude. By showing up with an uncontentious demeanor and willingness to play with the cards we are dealt, I think we are more likely to come to a better compromise in the long run. BPP has set aside trail corridors, so there will continue to be mountain biking on Cypress in the future.
Materials from Forum #3 are finally available here.
This wraps up the Pre-Application Phase. The next step is for West Van Council to make Cypress Village a priority and direct Planning to form the Cypress Village Working Group. The sooner this happens, the sooner we can get the Cypress trails out of limbo. Constructive emails telling Council why Cypress Village is important to you can be sent to [email protected]. (Remember to include your name and address.)
BPP has presented 3 framework concepts with different scopes, nebulously named Village Main, High Street and Pedestrian Stroll. The number of residential units range from 1,800 to 3,600 with populations from 3,800 to 7,200. Obviously with more people there will be more amenities. Village Main is too small to support an elementary school and retail will be limited. High Street has 200,000 sq ft of office space. Pedestrian Stroll would have double the retail area of Village Main. The larger the population, the more frequent transit services will be. Putting a priority on the construction of rental units will reduce the number of empty units sitting idle. A Caulfeild Connector will run above Cypress Falls Park to Northwood Drive and the Caulfeild Village Shopping Centre. A connection to Westmount Road and it's Hwy 1 interchange is feasible too.
The wildcard is the Upper Campus above 1200', which could have uses focused on educational, commercial or health [HTML_REMOVED] wellness. Think Cap U West Campus, Arc'teryx or Scandinave Spa English Bay. The gondola may or may not depend on what happens with the Upper Campus.
While mountain biking is anticipated to add strongly to the recreational focus, with trails running from the 3rd switchback down to the Village, management of the trails is undefined. Even the scope of trails to be adopted is in play. The map on page 54 of the Week 3 Presentation shows an option without the gondola where only the trails below 1200' are adopted, leaving trails above 1200' unauthorized. Don't panic about page 54. I nearly spewed coffee on my screen before I understood what it was showing!
Clearly there's a lot of work to be done before Cypress Village becomes a reality. That's why it's important to start moving forward with a Cypress Village Working Group. Council determines District priorities. Coincidentally, DWV has a by-election on November 19. Whether you live in West Vancouver or not, you can help raise the visibility of Cypress Village during the election. There are 3 All Candidates Meetings to ask questions at. Get out! Get involved! Did I mention writing Mayor and Council?
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