Sent from the Village Office on behalf of Mayor and Council
 
E-Post:     VILLAGE UPDATE
                ~ AGE-FRIENDLY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING COMMUNITY SURVEY ~
 
Village residents have received a flyer with some incorrect information with regard to the Lions Bay Age Friendly Transitional Housing Survey.  The Village of Lions Bay Council is engaging in an open, transparent, inclusive process and we hope to receive a response from all voting age community members.  Please complete your survey and feel free to respond without fear that Council has any initiative underway with regard to condominiums or other development in Lions Bay.  The background follows.
  Council has engaged a consultant to design a survey to elicit Village residents’ interests, opinions and needs regarding age-friendly housing.   The work is being funded through a grant under the Age Friendly Communities initiative, sponsored through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.  With over a third of our population over age 55 in the last Census, we are among many communities in the world with a high population of 'more senior'  residents.
 
Council’s discussion with Lions Bay seniors, have revealed that housing is a main concern.  Many might like to downsize, but Lions Bay lacks options for those who might like to do so.  We are a community of large, single family residences.  Before Council would take even the most initial steps in regard to new development, any Council would need data, to explore and understand where residents’ opinions and needs are.  The survey will help us gather your input.  It asks your general views on a number of different housing options, as well as what else the Village could do to support seniors in their existing houses, and in this community.
 
The flyer that has been circulated incorrectly states that there are “proposed condominiums” and they are an “initiative of Council”.   Council is engaged in a process of exploration of alternative housing development consistent with our Official Community Plan.  We welcome your views at this point and it is the views of the community which will guide any process that may occur.
 
In addition, the flyer makes reference to land at Brunswick Pit.  I personally am in an ongoing investigation regarding land owned by MOT and the Crown within the borders of Lions Bay, to understand what land we might be able to exert control over.  Land in the Brunswick Pit area is owned by the Crown.  It is currently being analyzed for continued gravel operations.  The Village is seeking opportunities to make application for using portions as parkland or for public buildings; this is the background to Councillor Akerhielm’s remark, which was quoted in the flyer.   Certainly my intent as Mayor is to look into where the Village could obtain more parkland, more space for public buildings or possible places for new development.   However, this is a very long process.
 
Council welcomes input from all residents, and we encourage you to develop and express your own opinions to us through your completion of the survey.  We also invite your attendance at a public presentation on the survey, which should occur later in May, or in June.
 
Please complete your Age-Friendly Survey by May 3rd. We ask that one survey per voting age resident be completed. You may download this Survey at www.lionsbay.ca under the tab for Age-Friendly Housing or pick one up at the Village Office.
 
For more information, please contact Councillor Peach Akerhielm, Village Manager Rory Mandryk, or myself.
 
Sincerely,
 
Brenda Broughton
Mayor
Village of Lions Bay