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Hollyburn Properties first proposed the project more than five years ago, according to developer Michael Geller, who is steering the project. It was delayed for a while to allow the district to develop a new housing policy statement to address the city’s lack of new rental housing.

On Wednesday night the proponent held the third of three public information sessions. A public hearing is set for Nov. 28.

Photo by Handout / PNG

Jim Bailey, the district’s director of planning, said staff are recommending the project go ahead because it offers new rental housing. But he admits that some people don’t like it.

“I think it is fair to say there will be significant community concern and pushback on this, insofar as it affects things like views and even questions about parking and traffic,” Bailey said.

West Vancouver has only added 20 units of purpose-built rental since the 1970s, Bailey said. They were built into two developments in 2006 and 2007.

Bailey said the district council earlier this year adopted a staff recommendation to explore ways to encourage more housing affordability, from offering bonus densities for purpose-built rental, to infill on existing sites.

Hagerlund, who bought her condo about five years ago, does not believe the opponents will win.

“The councillors have made up their minds. They come here and talk to us and pat all these little old people on the head and that’s all they do,” she said.

Photo by Handout, / Vancouver Sun

Bailey said that in addition to scaling down the project from 49 units to 41 and increasing the mix to include two- and three-bedroom apartments, the proponents have also offered a donation of just over $1 million to the district’s new housing affordability fund.