North Vancouver approves rental development despite removal of 25 trees
City council voted 4–3 to rezone two Central Lonsdale sites for 186 rental units, with arborist findings showing 17 of 25 trees had low retention value.
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North Vancouver city council has narrowly approved a rental development on Central Lonsdale that will displace more than 20 mature trees, advancing the project despite resident and council member concerns about urban greening.
Council voted 4–3 last week to approve a rezoning application from Adera Developments for two six-storey residential rental buildings at 1540 St. Georges Ave. and 215–235 East 16th St. The development will bring 186 units ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, most market rentals with 19 designated as mid-market. It includes 115 parking stalls and 304 bicycle spaces.
The site currently holds three buildings with 63 rental units, most occupied. Adera has prepared a tenant relocation plan with financial compensation for displaced residents.
Adera plans to remove 25 trees during demolition and will plant 78 new ones—exceeding the city's bylaw requirement of three new trees for every one removed. An arborist's assessment found 17 of the 25 trees have "low" retention value based on their health and potential longevity, while the other eight sit in the direct footprint of the proposed buildings.
Staff reported that retaining trees would significantly impact building design, parkade layout, or required laneway upgrades and infrastructure services. Despite this analysis, council members Holly Back, Shervin Shahriari, and Don Bell voted against the project, citing the opportunity to redesign and preserve at least one significant tree.
"For us to remove all of the 25 trees, basically clearing away all the trees, I just can't support that," said Shahriari. Back expressed disappointment that the developer didn't redesign around "one tree" during the revision process.
Councillor Jessica McIlroy countered that the arborist report showed most trees in poor condition with little chance of survival even under redesign. Four council members voting in favour cited the project's substantial addition of rental units to the city.
At a glance
What rental development did North Vancouver approve on Central Lonsdale?
North Vancouver city council approved a rezoning for two six-storey residential rental buildings at 1540 St. Georges Ave. and 215–235 East 16th St. that will contain 186 rental units ranging from studios to three-bedrooms, with 19 designated as mid-market units.
How did North Vancouver city council vote on this rezoning?
Council voted 4–3 in favour of the rezoning application from Adera Developments.
How many trees will be removed and replanted in this North Vancouver development?
The development will remove 25 trees and plant 78 new ones, exceeding North Vancouver's bylaw requirement of three new trees for every one removed.
What did the arborist assessment find about the trees on these North Vancouver sites?
An arborist's assessment found 17 of the 25 trees have 'low' retention value based on their health and potential longevity, while the other eight sit in the direct footprint of the proposed buildings.
