You are receiving this letter because you were expressed an interest in the progression of events around the development of Tantalus Gardens in Horseshoe Bay/Gleneagles in 2019. We will, briefly, provide an update here.
On October 28th, 2019, WV District Mayor and Councillors, debated the proposed Tantalus Gardens development and rejected the application for 14 homes and an underground parking garage on the 4 lots that span Rosebery Avenue where it connects Nelson Ave & Wellington Avenue, including two lots zoned for community use that currently house the church formerly called St. Monica’s. That decision, and the conversations around it can be found here. (Oct 28, 2019 the “Regular Council Meeting” beginning at 9:20pm on the recording)
Since that decision was made many things have happened.
- The LAP (Local Area Plan) for Horseshoe Bay has been solidified calling for a significant increase in residential density in Horseshoe Bay by 2041 – you can find that plan here.
- Covid-19 has caused an increase of visitors to the Gleneagles/Horseshoe Bay/Whytecliff area – meaning an increase in traffic and congestion on local streets.
- The church has been used as a home for various groups and an office space occupied by the owner.
We are writing now to make you aware that Quma (the developer) has put forward a new proposal to council that will find 10 houses built on the four lots in question. 3-4 bedroom homes, each with street level parking.
However, the plan as put forward, will require the church land be rezoned for residential use. Once that community space is lost, it will never be recovered.
It is our belief that, with the increase in density proposed in the LAP; the increase of young families that have moved to the neighborhood and the increase in population that is bound to be a result of the soon-to-be-completed “Sanctuary” in Horseshoe Bay, we cannot afford to lose land that is designated for community use.
There is a virtual meeting about the new proposal on-line tomorrow night THURSDAY, JULY 15TH, 2021 AT 6pm – the link is for a Youtube presentation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XOjP8aXSBU
The District of West Vancouver website states the following:
The District has received a preliminary development application for a proposed multi-family development at 6404 Wellington Avenue and 6403–6407 Nelson Avenue. The proposal is to redevelop the site with 10 detached infill housing units.
The proposal to provide infill housing is being considered under the Horseshoe Bay Local Area Plan based on directions 3.4.1 and 3.6.23 and based on Official Community Plan (OCP) policies 2.1.1-2.1.4 and 2.1.6.
This proposal has not been formally submitted as a rezoning and is still within the preliminary development application stage. Once submitted as a formal rezoning, the District will process the development application in compliance with the Development Procedures Bylaw that requires ongoing public consultation.
Prior to formal rezoning submission, the applicant is conducting a preliminary virtual public information meeting on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 6 p.m. The applicant webpage provides information about the preliminary proposal and the virtual meeting.
Note: This is not District-led public consultation, it is being hosted by the applicant.
Please attend this meeting if you are interested in learning more about the proposed development and consider following the process and writing to mayor and council with your thoughts.
If there is an appetite in the community to continue to discuss this matter and the pros and cons of the proposal, there is a group of concerned citizens that have information, ideas and concerns related to this property and its future. If you would like more information please reach out after you've attended the preliminary meeting.
Thank you for your time and interest in this matter.
Our best,
The Roundabout Team