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There is no vacation for the Project Development Committee! We have continued to meet regularly through June and July have been very pleased to welcome Rev. Sarah Lehman to our meetings since she joined in early July.

For the past several weeks, we have addressed the District of North Vancouver’s response to our Preliminary Planning Application for Rezoning and Subdivision of our saleable property. Their list of requirements is long and dense,  but Nick Petrie has recently joined  EW Architecture’s team to assist us and brings deep, successful experience in navigating District requirements.

Coupled with this, the District is now revising its Official Community Plan to meet Provincial housing goals and has mentioned the possibility of allowing “sensitive infill” that could increase housing density on our property. We are cautiously optimistic about this shift in direction, returning more closely to our original vision for the property. We estimate that it may take many months to respond fully to and negotiate with the District and will require some revision to EW Architecture’s contract, recognizing with gratitude that EWA has donated considerable services to date without charge.

In other progress, Billy Garton and Heather Luccock met with the Preschool teachers in June to discuss renovations, seeking input on their priorities for Preschool design and layout. Billy Garton prepared and sent our quarterly report to the Diocese to keep them abreast of our project, in accordance with the Diocesan Bridge Loan.

Although we are unable to begin comprehensive physical work on our property, we remain hard at work and are considering some of the smaller refurbishment projects that could move ahead independent of total site rezoning, ensuring that we remain a vital hub for community worship, activity, and connection.