Although a development of this type was not specifically anticipated in the Compact Metropolitan Region model, we believe that the New Lions Gate greatly furthers the goals of the GVRD and that its impact overall is strongly positive.

Preservation of Green Space: By combining urban development with existing or anticipated infrastructure requirements, the New Lions Gate is able to offer large scale development which has virtually no marginal impact on Green Spaces, and which furthermore has very little direct negative impact on existing communities.

Building Complete Communities: The New Lions Gate proposal includes all the necessary infrastructure for the creation of a thriving community. With space for residential, retail, office, and even industrial uses, as well as a full menu of civic services and amenities, New Lions Gate represents not only a complete community, but one which is carefully integrated with, and serves to enhance, the entire region.

Compact Metropolitan Region: Although to some extent redirecting a portion of the growth anticipated within the GVRD, the New Lions Gate proposal explicitly conforms to the principles of the Compact model. While it is difficult to predict exactly where people will live and work within the region [one may as easily live Downtown and work in Surrey as vice versa], the New Lions Gate, enjoying immediate proximity and easy access to both employment and amenities in the urban core would seem to have advantages over developments of similar scale proposed for the U.E.L. and Burnaby Mountain, and can be seen as preferable to piece-meal developments in Richmond, Surrey, and the North-East.

Transit Choice: Built along the alignment of a major road link, with Skytrain stations within 500m of all parts of the development, with direct and animated pedestrian and cycle links to Stanley Park, Downtown, and Park Royal, and with the possibility of marine based transit to major destinations, the New Lions Gate offers an extensive range of transit options and exemplifies the type of development required to reduce automobile dependence within the GVRD.

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