October 28, 2015
City of North Vancouver Approves Rezoning of former Ridgeway Annex Site
On Monday,
October 26, 2015, North Vancouver City Council
approved an amendment to the City’s official community plan to rezone
the property at 450 East 5th Street. The proposal by Anthem Properties
for the construction of nine single-family homes will now proceed on the
.58 acre site formerly occupied by Ridgeway Annex. The Annex was
permanently closed in 2011 and was not considered viable as a future
school site, as the small size of the land parcel does not meet current
Ministry standards.
The conditional purchase agreement for the
property, valued at $5.1 million, will be finalized between Anthem
Properties and the North Vancouver School District. The entire proceeds
from the sale will be directed to retire the remaining debt to the
Ministry of Education for the rebuilding of Sutherland Secondary and
Westview Elementary.
For almost three years, the School District
has been diligently working to gain approval from the Ministry of
Education to convert the estimated $37.8M seismic project for Argyle
Secondary into a full replacement school, with the cost of the preferred
option currently estimated at $51.5M. This approval is subject to the
earlier debt being repaid and financing the cost difference between the
approved seismic upgrade and the requested full replacement school.
“The
repayment of this debt to the Ministry represents an important step
forward to secure approval for the Arygle replacement project,” says
North Vancouver School District Superintendent John Lewis. “The slate is
clean, and serves to advance our request with the Ministry for a fully
realized Argyle Secondary.”
August 4, 2015
City of North Vancouver confirms September 28, 2015 for Ridgeway Annex Public Hearing
On
Monday, July 13, 2015, North Vancouver City Council voted to proceed
with a public hearing to review a potential amendment to the City’s
official community plan. If approved, the amendment would effectively
rezone the property at 450 East 5th Street, the site of the former
Ridgeway Annex, to permit residential development on the .58 acre site.
Ridgeway Annex was permanently closed in 2011 and is not considered
viable as a future school site, as the small size of the land parcel
does not meet current Ministry standards.
A
conditional purchase agreement for the property, valued at $5.1
million, is in place between Anthem Properties and the North Vancouver
School District. Proceeds from the sale would be directed to the
remaining debt of $6.2 million to the Ministry of Education for the
rebuilding of Sutherland Secondary and Westview Elementary.
The
School District was able to undertake the replacement of Sutherland and
Westview, in the City of North Vancouver, by borrowing $7.2M from the
Ministry of Education—approved on the basis that the debt would be
recovered through future surplus land sales. The balance of the debt
must be paid back to the Provincial Government on or before December 31,
2015. Should the deadline pass without repayment, it is expected that
the Ministry of Education will recover the funds from the School
District’s operating budget.
For almost three years, the School
District has been diligently working to gain approval from the Ministry
of Education to convert the $40M seismic project for Argyle Secondary
into a full replacement school at an estimated cost of $49.9M. This
approval is contingent upon the earlier debts being repaid.
“Since
2004, renewal of our facilities in the City alone has resulted in a new
Sutherland Secondary, a new Westview Elementary, a rebuilt Ridgeway
Elementary, a new Carson Graham Secondary and a rebuilt Queen Mary
Community School,” says North Vancouver Board of Education Chair Cyndi
Gerlach. “Our local community benefits from all of these projects and
the Board is committed to fully meeting its obligations to the Province
and clearing the way towards a new Argyle Secondary.”
The public
hearing is scheduled for Monday, September 28, 2015 at North Vancouver
City Hall. Once confirmed, further details will be posted on the City of North Vancouver website.
June 12, 2015
Ridgeway Annex Information Session - June 16, 2015
Anthem Properties is hosting a Public Development Information Session on:
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Ridgeway Elementary School - Gymnasium
420 East 8th Street
North Vancouver BC
May 26, 2015
March 25, 2015
The City of North Vancouver has now endorsed its
Official Community Plan.
It is expected that the Ridgeway Annex proposal will likely proceed to
the City of North Vancouver's Municipal Council in the near future.
Anthem Properties continues to refine its development proposal for
presentation to Council.
June 18, 2014
The North Vancouver School District is working with the City
of North Vancouver to arrange a meeting for early September to enable
further discussion of the Board of Education's land management strategy.
This will provide an opportunity to increase the understanding of the
proposed redevelopment of Ridgeway Annex in the larger context of the
School District's land management strategy.
April 23, 2014
Anthem Properties is preparing its Development Application to the City of North Vancouver.
January 21, 2014
Anthem Preparing Development Application
At the
Public Board Meeting on January 21, 2014,
John Lewis, Superintendent of Schools, provided a Land, Learning and
Livability Community Engagement Update. Information about the Ridgeway
Annex site was included in the Update.
Anthem Properties held its
second neighbourhood meeting on December 12, 2013 providing meeting
participants with an overview of the development concept and
architectural design of the housing proposed for the Ridgeway Annex
site. Almost 1,000 hand-delivered meeting notifications were provided
to residents for the two public meetings. Approximately 100 residents
attended the two meetings, providing their input and perspective,
engaging in question and answer sessions, and in discussions with the
architect and representatives from Anthem Properties.
Anthem has built a website (
www.ridgewayannex.com)
to provide updates as they become available, hired a consultant to
engage in further outreach to the community through phone, e-mail, and
door-to-door, and engaged Catherine Rockandel to facilitate the second
meeting and to prepare a summary of the discussions from the meeting.
Throughout the process to date, Anthem's goal has been to maintain
transparency with all stakeholders, to provide residents with multiple
opportunities to voice their questions, support, and concerns. Anthem
is pleased with the public engagement work completed to date. Regular
and on-going communication has also been maintained with the North
Vancouver School District.
Anthem is now preparing to submit its Development Application to
the City of North Vancouver, and anticipates the project moving towards
the 1st Reading with City Council in April 2014.
November 22, 2013
Neighbourhood Meeting
Anthem Properties will be holding its second neighbourhood meeting
on Thursday, December 12, 2013 at Ridgeway Annex. This meeting will
provide an opportunity for the community to engage with Anthem in the
examination of residential options being considered for the site.
October 23, 2013
Redevelopment Discussions
.
Anthem Properties held their initial "Neighbourhood Meet and Greet"
on September 25th to commence the process of engaging the community in
discussions related to the redevelopment options for the site. More
than 400 invitations were provided to local residents and approximately
50 community members attended the initial meeting. Anthem also
conducted a survey with the participants to determine their perspectives
and to gain an understanding of how they would wish to be involved in
the consultation process.
July 18, 2013
North Vancouver Board of Education approves the sale of Ridgeway Annex school site
At its public meeting on July 18, 2013,
the North Vancouver Board of Education proceeded to the third and final
reading of Disposal of Real Property Bylaw No. 2013-1 Ridgeway Annex
School. Following considerable discussion and deliberation, the Bylaw
motion was passed and adopted. The School District will now proceed to
enter into an agreement to sell, and complete the sale of, the Ridgeway
Annex School to Anthem Properties Group Ltd. for a sale price of at
least $5.1 million.
As Chair Stratton observed in her concluding
commentary that prefaced the decision, "Anthem Properties is now in a
position to move forward with the community through the City of North
Vancouver's municipal process to create, from a boarded-up building, the
highest and best use for the future of this site."
July 8, 2013
North Vancouver Board of Education Schedules July Public Meeting to Address Ridgeway Annex Property
The public is welcome to attend
the upcoming meeting of the North Vancouver Board of Education regarding
the Ridgeway Annex property. The Board is expected to make a decision
at this meeting regarding an agreement of sale of the site to Anthem
Properties.
July 16, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Education Services Centre
5th Floor
2121 Lonsdale Avenue
North Vancouver BC
Ridgeway Annex was opened in 1953 and
closed in 2011. The student population in the area is accommodated in
the Heritage Restored Ridgeway Elementary School, with a larger capacity
than the former school. More details.
Press Release: April 3, 2013
North Vancouver School District announces Anthem Properties as lead proponent for Ridgeway Annex site
Franci Stratton, Chair of the North Vancouver Board of Education, is
pleased to announce that Anthem Properties has been confirmed as the
lead proponent for the redevelopment of the Ridgeway Annex site. The
Board will now enter into negotiations with Anthem Properties to
determine the terms and conditions of an agreement of sale for
consideration by the Board.
"We're pleased to be moving forward in addressing the future of this
property," says Chair Stratton. "Potential proceeds from the sale of
the Annex site will allow the Board to fund other vital improvements in
the School District that are not covered by government funding. For
example, our investments in the rebuilding of Westview Elementary
(completed in 2007) and Sutherland Secondary (completed in 2008) have an
outstanding cost of approximately $7 million still to be addressed. As
a Board, we are committed to ensuring that the assets of the School
District are fully valued and bring the highest return to support the
programs, services, and facilities that serve our students."
"We are delighted to enter into a working relationship with the
School District of North Vancouver with a view to repositioning the
Ridgeway Annex site back into the neighbourhood as a residential
solution," says Anthem Properties CEO Eric Carlson. "Our intent is to
facilitate a meaningful dialogue between the community, the City of
North Vancouver, the School District and Anthem to determine a winning
outcome for all. We visualize a redevelopment complementing and fitting
into the existing neighbourhood that local residents will be able to
walk by and view with a degree of pleasure and even pride."
Located at 450 East 5th Street in the City of North Vancouver, the
.58-hectare Ridgeway Annex property has been vacant since July of 2011.
The newly rebuilt Ridgeway Elementary now accommodates over 400 K-7
students in the neighbourhood, and the Annex site, with its limited
space, is no longer viable as a location for a school.
"Since the Spring of 2001, we have been engaged in an open dialogue
with the community on the future of a number of surplus properties in
the School District," says Chair Stratton. "Input provided by local
residents helped inform the Board's decision to proceed with Anthem
Properties as the proponent most able to meet the Board's extensive
criteria for the Ridgeway Annex property.
As the Anthem proposal involves redevelopment of the site, community
input and consultation will continue to be facilitated through the
Municipal process. Further updates are expected later this Spring, after
the Board and Anthem have completed the next phase of discussions
regarding the agreement going forward.
* * *
The North Vancouver School District serves over 16,000 K-12 students
with a vision to provide "world-class instruction and a rich diversity
of engaging programs to inspire success for every student and bring
communities together to learn, share and grow."
Anthem Properties is a 150-person real estate investment, development
and management company operating in Western Canada, headquartered in
Vancouver, BC. Anthem has invested in, developed, and or managed, alone
or in partnership, over 210 projects in virtually all asset classes,
with a cumulative historical value of approximately $2.5 billion.
Creating Real Estate That Works for over twenty years, Anthem is
committed to building projects that are architecturally appropriate for,
and satisfy the needs of, our homeowners, tenants and neighbours. For
further information, please visit the Company's web site at www.anthemproperties.com
February 28, 2013
Update Regarding the RFP for Ridgeway Annex and Site
The Board of Education has now completed its final review of the
redevelopment proposals of Anthem Properties and Darwin Properties and
has identified Anthem Properties as the lead proponent for the
redevelopment of the Ridgeway Annex site. The Board will now enter into
negotiations with Anthem Properties to determine the terms and
conditions of an agreement of sale for the consideration of the Board of
Education.
The Board of Education expresses its sincere appreciation for the
interest of Darwin Properties in the Ridgeway Annex site and will
reserve Darwin Properties as an alternate to the lead proponent.
As the proposal of Anthem Properties involves the redevelopment of
the Ridgeway Annex site, community input and consultation will occur
through the Municipal process in the coming months.
January 18, 2013
Land, Learning and Livability - Ridgeway Annex site update
Following the Community Meeting of November 20, the proponents for
the redevelopment and/or re-use of the Ridgeway Annex and site were
evaluated. The input received at the Community Meeting and submitted in
writing was one of the important criteria considered in the evaluation
process.
The Board of Education was pleased to receive four quality proponents
for the future use of the Ridgeway Annex and site. Upon the
application of the evaluation criteria and the consideration by the
Board of Education, the Board determined that it will proceed with a
final phase of the selection process with Anthem Properties and Darwin
Properties.
The Board of Education expresses its sincere appreciation for the
interest of both the Atti Group of Companies and Kidsland Childcare
Centre in the Ridgeway Annex site. Both proponents provided interesting
proposals for the potential redevelopment and re-use of Ridgeway Annex
and site.
The four short-listed proponents were evaluated using the criteria provided below.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Consistency and harmony with the Vision and Values of the North Vancouver School District
- Alignment with the School District's Values and Goals: Trust, Respect, Responsibility, and Collaboration
- Alignment with Goals and Objectives of the 2011-2021 Strategic Plan:
leadership in environmental education and sustainability practices, and
strengthening and expanding reciprocal community relations
- Land, Learning and livability Guiding Principles: to realize the
maximum social and financial value of school district assets, while also
repurposing lands through strategic use of long-term leases to address
evolving community needs such as affordable housing, recreation, green
space, and childcare
- Compatibility of the proposed use with the neighbourhood
- Compatibility of the proposed use with the Municipality's OCP
- The proposed financial terms and conditions, including lease or purchase options
- Community input provided at the community meeting and by written submissions.
As the proposals of Anthem Properties and Darwin Properties both
involve redevelopment options for the Ridgeway Annex site, the Board
will continue to examine either long-term lease and/or sale with both
proponents. There will be further community input and consultation
through the Municipal process, once the final proponent is selected.
The outcome of the final phase of the selection process will be
provided in our next update on the Ridgeway Annex site, prior to the
spring break.
December 14, 2012
On November 20, 2012, the North Vancouver School District hosted a
community meeting to provide an opportunity for Trustees and the public
to hear presentations by proponents on the proposals submitted to the
Request For Proposals (RFP) for the former Ridgeway Annex school
property. Over 100 people attended the meeting.
The following main themes were identified with comments that were submitted:
Anthem Properties
- Residents would like to retain green space with mixed support for pocket park
- Developer demonstrated passion, experience, and history as a local developer
- Residents expressed preference for lower density operation
- Relative affordability was desired
- Length of time for construction of the development was a concern.
Atti Group
- Residents expressed concern about density of proposal
- Concerns regarding the potential for additional traffic and street parking
- Questions as to whether increased density on Ridgeway Annex lands would lead to increased density in surrounding area
- Relative affordability was desired
- Length of time for construction of the development was a concern.
Darwin Properties
- Questions about housing types, height, whether duplex option would have suites
- There was a strong preference for smaller single family homes
- Interest in green space and larger publicly accessible park shown in presentation
- Concerns about the length of time of construction
- Concerns around the additional parking requirements for the new development.
Kidsland Child Care Centre
- Questions raised about the affordability of care (universality)
- Questions raised regarding the ability of the proponent to meet the financial obligations associated with their proposal
- Concerns about facility maintenance based on past neighbour experience
- Concerns about the extent of market research undertaken to support future plans
- Concerns about experience in leasing facilities for the proposed endeavour.
The following questions were submitted at the Ridgeway Annex Community Meeting on November 20, 2012:
1. To all developers that submitted RFPs, please provide specific documentation on where parking will be.
As this process is at a very early stage, developers have provided
conceptual images and drawings. As the process continues, should the
Board proceed with a redevelopment option for Ridgeway Annex, plans will
be refined through consultation with the community and municipal
authorities. All proponents have provided their assurance that resident
and visitor parking will be provided on-site. Parking plans are
reviewed as part of the Building Permit Application.
2. Are the financials of each proposal going to be public information?
The financials of each proposal are confidential information provided
to the Board of Education for consideration. The financial benefits to
the School District are one of the criteria used in the assessment of
the proposal.
3. Atti Group stated: "There have been no non-profits
who stepped forward to present." Question to NVSD44, what non-profits
have been contacted by NVSD, if any, about taking over this property?
The School District did not contact any specific group or individual
regarding the assumption of this property. As we look at the potential
for the redevelopment or reuse of our land assets, we are required to
undertake a fair public process and seek fair market value. The RFP
process invites parties to submit responses based on their own needs and
capacity.
4. Please provide examples of other daycares in Canada that house 100 or more kids.
While it is unusual for daycares to provide care for 100 or more
children, it does occur. Vancouver Coastal Health monitors all
community care facilities as a licence is required for all programs and
facilities providing care to three or more children who are not related
to the operator by blood or marriage. The Child Care Licensing
Regulation comes under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and
provides standards for all childcare facilities regardless of the age
range of the children and the number of children in care.
5. Will Kidsland be relying on government subsidies to run daycare operations?
There are a number of child care subsidies that are available to
families and it is the families of children in care that ultimately
determine which care facility suits their needs. There are additional
subsidies that are available to child care providers but few public or
private child care providers rely on these subsidies as their primary
source of income.
6. One of the Trustees has property across from the Ridgeway
Annex site. Will the Trustee be allowed to take part in any/all
decisions as it may impact their personal property value?
To avoid any concern regarding the possible perception of a conflict
of interest, this Trustee has voluntarily withdrawn from the
decision-making process related to the RFP for the Ridgway Annex. This
Trustee will not take part in any discussions related to the
decision-making process for the Ridgeway Annex property.
November 21, 2012
Over 100 local residents and community members attended the Community
Meeting at the former Ridgeway Annex School on the evening of November
20, 2012.
Opening comments were provided by Franci Stratton, Chair of the Board
of Education, which were followed by presentations from each of the
proponents. After each presentation, the audience was provided with a
question and answer period.
Input forms were made available to the meeting participants; a copy
is provided below. The Meeting Agenda and presentations are available
here:
Ridgeway Annex Public Meeting Agenda
Anthem Public Presentation (large file - 21 MB)
Atti Group Public Presentation
Darwin Public Presentation
Kidsland Public Presentation
Question and Comment Sheet
Please return the completed Question and Comment Sheet by November 30, 2012
Fax 604.903.3448 or
North Vancouver School District's
Land, Learning and Livability
Community Meeting
Former Ridgeway Annex School Site
November 20, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Ridgeway Annex, 450 East 5th Street, North Vancouver
Click here for a print copy of the Agenda and the North Vancouver School District's Revised Guiding Principles
November 20, 2012
Questions submitted at the Ridgeway Annex Community Meeting on November 20th, 2012
1. To all developers that submitted RFP’s please provide specific documentation on where parking will be.
As this process is at a very early stage, developers have provided
conceptual images and drawings. As the process continues, should the
Board proceed with a redevelopment option for Ridgeway Annex, plans will
be refined through consultation with the community and municipal
authorities. All proponents have provided their assurance that resident
and visitor parking will be provided on-site. Parking plans are
reviewed as part of the Building Permit Application.
2. Are the financials of each proposal going to be public information?
The financials of each proposal are confidential information
provided to the Board of Education for consideration. The financial
benefit to the School District is one of the criteria used in the
assessment of the proposal.
3. Atti Group stated “There have been no non-profits who stepped
forward to present”. Question to NVSD44, what non-profits have been
contacted by NVSD if any, about taking over this property?
The School District did not contact any specific group or
individual regarding the assumption of this property. As we look at the
potential for the redevelopment or reuse of our land assets, we are
required to undertake a fair public process and seek fair market value.
The RFP process invites parties to submit responses based on their own
needs and capacity.
4. Please provide examples of other daycares in Canada that house 100 or more kids?
While it is unusual for daycares to provide care for 100 or more
children, it does occur. Vancouver Coastal Health monitors all
community care facilities as a licence is required for all programs and
facilities providing care to three or more children who are not related
to the operator by blood or marriage. The Child Care Licensing
Regulation comes under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act and
provides standards for all childcare facilities regardless of the age
range of the children and the number of children in care.
5. Will KidsLand be relying on government subsidies to run daycare operations?
There are a number of child care subsidies that are available to
families and it is the families of children in care that ultimately
determine which care facility suits their needs. There are additional
subsidies that are available to child care providers but few, public or
private child care providers rely on these subsidies as their primary
source of income.
6. One of the Trustees has a property across from the Ridgeway
Annex site. Will the Trustee be allowed to take part in any/all
decisions as it may impact their personal property value?
To avoid any concern regarding the possible perception of a
conflict of interest, this Trustee has voluntarily withdrawn from the
decision making process related to the RFP for Ridgeway Annex. This
Trustee will not take part in any discussions related to the
decision-making process for the Ridgeway Annex property.
October 26, 2012
Following it's recent Request For
Proposals (RFP) process, the Board of Education is pleased to report
strong interest in the reuse potential of four surplus sites: Keith
Lynn, Monteray, Plymouth, and Ridgeway Annex. Public Meetings have now
been scheduled for two of these properties: Ridgeway Annex (November
20th) and Plymouth School (December 4th).
