NEWSPAPER CLIPS COLLECTED FROM July 12/2018 to August15/2018 Affordable housing ideas fly as council term wanes.pdf Anti-developer rhetoric shaping campaigns ahead of Vancouver election.pdf Arguments about good fit for neighbourhood flawed.pdf Astronauts to go on dive deep in North Van training tank.pdf BC developers tackle soaring temperatures.pdf Bylaws be bygones.pdf Capitalism Killed Our Climate Momentum.pdf Cassidy and Booth in two-woman WV mayoral race.pdf City of North Van sues to shut down Airbnb hostel.pdf City of Vancouver plans to worsen housing affordability with increased fees.pdf Controversial North Vancouver affordable housing development up for final approval.pdf Displaced Deep Cove seniors dealt another blow after fire.pdf District of North Van approves live-work units in Maplewood Plaza.pdf District of North Van pauses Innovation District plans.pdf District of North Van voters asked to weigh in on affordable housing question.pdf Dodging Jetta mind tricks and other car lot hazards.pdf Drivers and cyclists are just people too.pdf FedBearDeadBear.pdf Felled trees bordering Seylynn are missed.pdf Good Samaritans hailed as heroes following Deep Cove seniors complex fire.pdf Heywood running for City of North Vancouver mayor.pdf If you build it.pdf In trusts beware of being too trustful.pdf Income of 150K needed to live in approved affordable rental.pdf Maplewood Innovation District open houses ongoing.pdf Mayors Message -making sense of municipal taxes.pdf Metro to appoint 3 new Board of Directors .pdf Metro Van mulls Grouse Park tweaks.pdf Municipal-Election-Regulations-DNV.pdf Municipal-Nomination-Regulations-DWV.pdf Municipal-Voting-Regulations-CNV.pdf Municipal-Voting-Regulations-DWV.pdf New adventures on Grouse Mountain.pdf New North Van museum short on cash.pdf No charges in death of North Vancouver man killed in crash.pdf North Van Airbnb host fined thousands for operating illegal hostel.pdf North Vancouver driver sentenced in death of cyclist.pdf North Vancouver residents irked by ride hailing delay.pdf Notice - Short Term Rentals -INFO POP-UPS.pdf Notice-Port-of-Vancouver-27Jul2018.pdf Notice-Translink- for board-of-directors.pdf Overheating - region housing market still vulnerable to risk factors.pdf Perpetual motion to boost CNV renters.pdf PIM-about-3015-3059-Woodbine-Dr.pdf Procrastination dist.pdf Proposal for luxury condo tower in Vancouver pulled amid signs of weak demand.pdf Sparking change.pdf Spirit Trail opens across Mosquito Creek.pdf Stuck in neutral.pdf Take the high road.pdf Teen in hospital after being struck by driver.pdf Temporary Use Permit for 1990 Belle Isle Place.pdf Thank You to the Lynn Valley Community.pdf This new apartment building will pay you to ditch your car.pdf Toronto infrastructure overwhelmed by rare storm.pdf Two floods drench North Van homes as two bills soak homeowners.pdf Vancouver council votes to hike development fees.pdf Vancouver development that would have included social housing cancelled.pdf West Vancouver builder denies claims of shadow flipping deal.pdf West Vancouver Tree House condos a sign of things to come.pdf WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2018 north shore news nsnews.com NEWS | A5 Affordable housing ideas fly as council term wanes
Should DNV spend up to $150M on Although there were some concerns expressed about non-market housing? Voters can how rental-only zoning might interfere with property rights say yea or nay at ballot box Oct. 20 and land values, Bond’s motion passed unanimously. BRENT RICHTER which has traditionally been a Lastly, Bond won support [email protected] provincial or federal responsi- for a motion to begin rezoning bility, but only with a mandate several lots of district-owned With only four meetings from district residents. Getting land within the Maplewood remaining between now the public’s approval for that plan area so it matches the use and the next civic elec- kind of spending is one of the called for in the official com- tion, District of North planks in Bassam’s mayoral munity plan. Vancouver council mem- platform. Much of the land in the bers are floating a number “I really have to emphasize area is owned by Darwin of affordable housing that this is seeking authority Properties, which is propos- initiatives. from the electorate to spend ing, in partnership with the Council debated and their money and it’s a signifi- Tsleil-Waututh Nation, to passed a series of motions cant amount of money that we build 900 housing units and from individual council clearly are not mandated to 1.4-million square feet of Area residents Cary Ford, Norm Grass, Mickael Plourde and Dale Grass discuss the Maplewood members aimed at creating spend as a municipality,” he business space. The first vote Innovation District proposal at a July 18 community open house. PHOTO PAUL MCGRATH below-market housing and said. on that project though has rental suites on Monday night, The alternative, Bassam complex policy. Bassam’s are downsizing but we don’t requesting a staff report on his been punted until after the fall the last council meeting of the argued, that the district motion passed 4-3 though. have to leave because they suggestions passed 6-0. election. summer. becomes an enclave for Coun. Jim Hanson is also are taking over some of that Also on the rental file, Bond’s motion calls on the Following a split vote only the very wealthy, lacks pushing for some policy space,” he said. “From my Coun. Mathew Bond has asked district to start rezoning in the on council, voters will have vibrancy. changes that could see the point of view, it has to be the staff to begin researching land taxpayers own for a range another question added to Not everyone agreed with district add to its rental stock cheapest way to actually get how the district might use the of non-market and market their Oct. 20 ballot asking the ballot question tactic without engaging in large affordable rental housing in newly created power to zone rental residential homes, as whether they “authorize the though. Coun. Lisa Muri said scale redevelopment – creat- the district.” properties as rental-only. well as light industrial, artisan, District of North Vancouver referenda take months of ing more secondary suites in Some of the ideas Hanson Bond is looking to see job-generating uses. That to spend up to $150 million planning and communication single-family homes. presented: Expedited permit- how rules could be applied would signal to non-profit part- to create not less than 1,000 and it was too late in the game Hanson has already added ting, hiring a staffer to assist to properties, regardless of ners that the district is serious units of non-market housing to to expect the municipality a suite to his home. About 75 homeowners with the process, how they are built out now about developing the sites, be constructed not later than and the public to become per cent of new builds include looking into the possibility and regardless of whether the Bond argued. January 2029?” adequately prepared. Mayor them as well. of grants or forgivable loans, official community plan fore- Bond’s motion passed with The motion came from Richard Walton, who quar- “There was some expense reduced permit fees and sees change and growth on only Hanson opposed, who Coun. Roger Bassam who said terbacked the failed 2015 involved in the suite, making easing requirements for them in the future, all with an said the Maplewood plan is he believes the district should TransLink funding plebiscite it suitable but then after, it’s additional parking spaces for eye to creating new purpose- simply too much and too fast take a more active role in said he too was no fan of ref- worked very well. Another suites near frequent transit. built rental or saving existing for district residents already creating non-market housing, erenda as a means of shaping family shares our home. We Hanson’s motion buildings. stressed by traffic and growth. EVERYTHING YOUNEED FOR SUMMER!
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1625 Lonsdale Avenue 1627 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver North Vancouver 604-987-7245 604-983-4475 www.northshoreskiandboard.com Anti-developer rhetoric shaping campaigns ahead of Vancouver election
Frances Bula
VANCOUVER
Special to The Globe and Mail
Published 6 hours ago Updated July 22, 2018
Anti-development rhetoric is playing a major role in shaping party platforms as Vancouver prepares for a fall election, threatening to derail the fortunes of candidates with apparent ties to the industry.
“There’s definitely a sense from residents that things are out of control,” said Mario Canseco, a pollster whose Research Co. recently found that 57 per cent of Vancouver residents believe developers have too much control over city council.
“And having any ties with developers, that’s definitely going to hurt people.”
The groundswell of resentment is clearly something parties such as COPE, OneCity and the Greens are taking into account as they focus on the problems of market development.
The rhetoric is also clearly a reflection of global concerns about the growing gap between the wealthy and everyone else, says University of British Columbia political scientist Max Cameron.
“There’s a sense everywhere that inequity has grown," he said. "Many feel we’re living in an oligarchy.”
The questions and suspicions about ties to developers have already affected several campaigns.
Vision Vancouver mayoral candidate Ian Campbell, a Squamish Nation councillor, has had to respond numerous times to accusations that he is a kind of developer because he helped negotiate a deal among the city’s three First Nations, the province and Ottawa to take over and build on some significant pieces of land.
Being labelled a developer is a concern, Mr. Campbell said in an interview, who emphasizes that he is not involved in any of the Squamish Nation’s current development plans – plans that in any case are about serving people who need housing.
“We’re not just a developer building a luxury product," he said. "The intent of those lands is to develop housing options.”
Vancouver councillor Hector Bremner, who was elected last fall for the Non-Partisan Association, said the anti- developer frenzy is what led to him leaving his party and starting a new one.
“It’s impacted me in a big way. And this anti-development sentiment is harmful,” he said.
Mr. Bremner was barred this year from running for the NPA as a mayoral candidate in a somewhat murky party process in which questions were raised about his ties to the development industry through his work in public relations and with the province’s former housing minister, Rich Coleman.
He insists developers are not responsible for Vancouver’s out-of-control housing costs and instead blames city rules and regulations that force builders into two main options: expensive single-family homes and large, concrete condo towers. “But it’s easier just to demonize everyone: the Chinese, developers, people who advocate for more housing – or politicians like me,” he said.
Even candidates such as independents Kennedy Stewart and Shauna Sylvester have found themselves being smacked in public, even though they don’t have direct ties to the industry.
Mr. Stewart, an NDP MP in Burnaby, has been criticized for not having done more to oppose the demolition of affordable housing there. Ms. Sylvester got into trouble briefly just for writing on Twitter that Burnaby was building some interesting projects around transit.
Mr. Stewart says the extreme hostility toward the whole development industry is making it tricky at times to advocate for good housing policy.
“We couldn’t supply housing to the country without the development industry. That will get me in trouble with the very hardcore,” he said. “Why attack people we have to work with later? Even if we do a massive investment in non-market housing, we will still be working with them.”
But the question in the election is whether that kind of moderate approach will appeal to voters when there are other candidates, on both the right and left, taking a harder line.
In a civic by-election last October, which Mr. Bremner won, independent Jean Swanson finished second. She is running with COPE this year and has received a lot of attention with her populist messages about taxing mansions, freezing rents and limiting the power of developers.
COPE candidate Derrick O’Keefe said it’s understandable that people without housing of their own have become resentful as developers build “safety-deposit boxes in the sky” for the wealthy.
Follow Frances Bula on Twitter @fabulavancouver
FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018 north shore news nsnews.com NEWS | A9 INQUIRINGREPORTER What was your hottest vacation destination?
July was the second hottest month on record on the North Shore, according to the West Vancouver weather station. As North Shore residents swelter in this prolonged heat wave, the Inquiring Reporter was curious about where readers had experienced their hottest vacations – temperature-wise. Some had gone far abroad and for others, their experience Julie Hillhouse Margaret Engler was closer to home. It often North Vancouver North Vancouver involved beaches and sand “We stayed at the Kiahuna “I was in Tortola (British Virgin and different ways to cool Plantation Hotel Resort in Islands) where my daughter down and find reprieve from Hawaii and they had tradi- and her husband built a villa. the blazing sun. Weigh in at tional fans to keep you cool at They had a pool but we loved nsnews.com night, but I find air condition- the ocean.” — Maria Rantanen ers in hotels much cooler.”
Dee Siemens Farhad Saradchi Tim Dawson Port Moody Netherlands North Vancouve “The Cariboo – we went “It was on Kish Island in South “When I went to Thailand, it swimming in Loon Lake. The Iran – we were waiting for a was non-stop hot. Then when because the museum advisoryInterior is pretty hot in the bus to take us to a cave and I went to Ko Samet, it was the summer.” the sweat was pouring off us.” hottest sand I ever felt.” MAILBOX
the new name seems accurate.Arguments about ‘good fit’ for neighbourhood flawed NOTICE DISPOSITION OF MUNICIPAL LANDFOR 752MARINEDRIVE Dear Editor: “sensitivity and respect” A 10-year rent freeze Re: CNV Sold on 13-sto- (Coun. Linda Buchanan) (10 per cent below market rey Rental Building; Eastern is sentimental in the face rate) on 23 rental units is Ave. Project Provides of the rents in the new hardly an answer. Below Grade Parking, Park, Aug. 1 news building and uprooting of It’s clear that council Easement story. families. members do not live in the “A good fit?” The argu- “Greater density would neighbourhood and do not ments made by City of be a good fit” (Mayor understand the costs of North Vancouver council Darrell Mussatto) ignores congestion and how traffic to approve a 13-storey the reality that this small will have an impact on this building in a residential neighbourhood with nar- neighbourhood. neighbourhood are deeply row streets and character Eastern Avenue is flawed. will become another annex already congested at the One should be sorry to urban sprawl that has intersection with 15th that planners don’t know shoved out 55 rental units. Street and will become this. Of course “character” more so in the future. Praising (property devel- with “old buildings” (1950s) Jerry Zaslove oper) Anthem for their is obsolete. North Vancouver
Royal Tea celebrated Saturday in West Van In accordancewith Section 26 of the CommunityCharter,the District of West Vancouver (District)gives notice of its intention to dispose of an interest in land.The District proposes to grant an easementauthorizing part From page 8 And in the, um, lesser North And also (see above of an underground parking structuretobelocatedbelowaportion of the Shore communities. item) West Van delights in And never more so than on The explanation is what lesser towns might call municipalhighway locatedadjacent to property at 752Marine Drive, more one of these ghastly holiday simplicity itself. We live in a eccentricities. Like celebrat- particularly describedasPID 030-487-668 Lot1District Lot1040Group weekends. year-round resort. We are our ing our Queen of Canada, 1New Westminster District Plan EPP83749. Theareaofthe proposed State Radio CBC reported destination. Elizabeth II. With the appropri- easementisshown in the imageabove.The easementisproposed to be Sunday that hundreds of thou- (Let us pass over the brief ate RoyalTea-by-the-Sea. It’s granted to Park RoyalShoppingCentreHoldings Ltd. (Inc.No. C596935). sands were enjoying the super swimming bans in Sandy Cove at Dundarave Park tomorrow, weather – in their creeping and Whytecliff and Ambleside Saturday, Aug. 11, 2-4 p.m. Consideration forthe proposed disposition formed partofthe development cars, packed ferries, stuffed Parks, needed just to keep us Forelocks can be tugged if you approvalfor 752Marine Drive. planes. CBC cited a remark- humble.) wish. able traffic exception: All quiet QUESTIONS? Olivia Taje, Land DevelopmentEngineer !!! on the West Vancouver front. [email protected] 604-921-3494|[email protected] Astronauts to go on dive deep in North Van training tank Ancient lake sediment linked to Mars probes
Jeremy Shepherd / North Shore News
August 7, 2018 03:19 PM
Nuytco’s Phil Nuytten is preparing to train NASA astronauts in a tank in North Vancouver. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News
What looked like perfunctory paper-pushing at a recent council meeting may end up assisting the exploration of the cosmos.
By recently approving a permit for a temporary dive tank, the City of North Vancouver council is enabling the training of astronauts and deep sea explorers, says Nuytco Research founder Phil Nuytten.
Nuytten, a North Shore inventor and entrepreneur, was speaking about being granted a permit to set up the tank in the parking lot at 214 East Esplanade. In November, six NASA astronauts are slated to drop into that tank for 10 days of training in Nuytten’s subs and metal dive suits. William Todd, a project manager with NASA’s Extreme Environment Mission Operations division, cited that kind of training as crucial for astronauts like Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to walk in space, as well as David St. Jacques, who is scheduled to board the International Space Station later this year. (Although, Nuytten confides, the best pilot he ever trained was Canada’s Gov. Gen. Julie Payette.) Nuytten’s submersibles are highly manoeuvrable – making them ideal to practise landing on an asteroid. “The ability to handle the landers, we can simulate exactly in the water with our subs,” Nuytten said. In a letter submitted to council, Todd underscored the critical nature of NASA’s work with Nuytco.
Nuytten’s submersibles are highly manoeuvrable - photo supplied “I hope that we can proceed with this unique and essential training and technology development program which has been mutually beneficial to our communities, countries and space agencies,” he wrote. But not all space exploration takes place above the rooftop of Earth’s atmosphere. Nuytten has also worked with NASA and the Canadian Space Agency on a project that aims to unearth the riddles of the Universe by looking into a B.C. lake. Pavilion Lake, located north of Lillooet near Marble Canyon Park, has been described as a scientific gold mine because of the presence of microbialites. Rock hard and iridescent as frozen algae, the sedimentary organism may date back 3.45 billion years, according to a report from Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers. As NASA sets their stargazers on the red planet, Nuytten’s submarine launch and recovery systems assisted the Pavilion Lake project in a bid to understand life on Mars, Nuytten said. “Microbialites are some of the oldest known critters on this planet and they leave a very distinctive signature in the geology,” Nuytten said. “The geology on Mars is such that if there is life on Mars, or ever was life, it will probably take this form.” To dive into a period of history that makes cretaceous dinosaurs look young, Nuytten deployed DeepWorker subs to map the lake and get a close look at the luminescent rock-like structures on Pavilion’s floor. The most critical feature of Nuytten’s diving suits may be that they allow for a consistent atmosphere 1,000 feet below sea level, thus cutting the risk of the bends and other physiological horrors associated with deep sea diving. Having trained in the sub himself, Jean Michel Cousteau, son of famed conservationist and filmmaker Jacques Cousteau, reached out to Nuytten about getting his colleagues trained in preparation for an upcoming TV series. “We will provide the suits and the subs to go around the world,” Nuytten said. “They plan on going into deep water.” When Nuytten says deep water, he’s referring to parts of the ocean that no one has explored. The show is expected to mirror Jacques Cousteau’s explorations in his ship, the Calypso, but, “to do things the Cousteau group on Calypso could never do,” Nuytten said. Until last month, all that work hinged on a temporary use permit. After a council discussion that was scarcely 60 seconds, Nuytten had permission to keep the tank over top of six parking spots on Esplanade for the next three years. The tank was first displayed at Expo 86. Besides being used as an aquatic chapel for underwater weddings, the tank was also the testing ground for Nuytten’s pioneering Newtsuit. Nuytten lost the tank following a hostile takeover of a Nuytco company but recently got the chance to bring it back to the North Shore after the U.S. company went out of business. “There is no comparable tank, not only on the North Shore but not even in Vancouver,” Nuytten said. While onlookers won’t be able to sit in lawn chairs and watch astronauts train, Nuytten said he may offer viewing opportunities. Nuytten, who helped build submarines for James Cameron’s 1989 science fiction film The Abyss, also suggested the tank could be a “tremendous boon” for the local movie industry. Heavy optical glass on the side of the tank allows moviemakers to simulate underwater photography without getting a raindrop on the camera. “This is not just your average swimming pool,” Nuytten said.
© 2018 North Shore News
B.C. developers tackle soaring temperatures with home-cooling measures Once considered unnecessary, air-con is now standard in many new- builds – but is it really because of rising mercury levels?
Joannah Connolly / Glacier Media Real Estate
July 27, 2018 07:00 AM
Like most developers, the Panatch Group is incorporating air-conditioning into its new residential buildings, such as 50 Electronic Avenue in Port Moody. Image via the Panatch Group If (like this writer) you’re sweltering at home in the summer heat, chances are that you’re in an older building that was constructed when developers didn’t even think about adding central air- conditioning. Going back 30, 20, even 10 years ago, summer temperatures didn’t often get to extremes – and when they did, the occurrences were rare enough that installing central air-con wasn’t worth the time or cost. But look at any heat map or temperature graph for Canada (and indeed, the rest of the globe), and you’ll see a dramatic rise in mercury levels in recent years. related Our map of where to keep cool in Vancouver Electronic Ave. changes excite PoMo councillors “We’ve all noticed the climate change – in the last five to seven years, the weather has more peaks in terms of hotter summers and colder winters,” said Kush Panatch, principal of development company Panatch Group, formerly Centro Development. The company is building condo project 50 Electronic Avenue in Port Moody, which will have air-conditioning throughout. Panatch said his customers are beginning to expect this feature more and more – starting from when the company built the Terra West condo building in Richmond around five years ago. But he added that a bigger variation in local temperature peaks and troughs was not the only reason for customer demand for forced-air heating and cooling. “In the Richmond project, a lot of our buyers were Asian, and coming from a hotter climate they were accustomed to having air-conditioning. The buyers were looking for air-conditioning and finding that not every building in Richmond had it, and as a result we picked up buyers.” Panatch added, “At the time, we were also looking to differentiate from other projects in Richmond, and give it more of a luxury feel. That’s why we did it the first time. Then in our OneWest townhouse project in Richmond, a year ago, we found that older buyers liked the climate control when downsizing from single- family homes.” Falling costs of incorporating cooling Jason Turcotte, vice-president of development at Cressey Development Group, concurs that it’s not just the rising mercury that has led his company to include air-conditioning as standard in all new projects over the past five years. But Cressey also has other reasons, in addition to demand from overseas buyers, for including this feature in their homes. “One reason is a change in policy in the engineering department of municipalities. We’ve seen the development of neighbourhood energy utilities, which are essentially small, localized plants that serve to heat spaces. And buildings are required to use it as a source of heat, which pushes the design of buildings away from traditional baseboard heating and into more complicated heating systems. So when you get into those systems, it became a far less expensive venture to incorporate cooling into the building. He added, "Of course, we were at the same time seeing longer, hotter summers, which helped to rationalize it. But really, the incremental costs to go to cooling systems became much more palatable.” Another factor that drastically brought down the relative cost to the developer of incorporating cooling systems was the overheating of the real estate market, Turcotte explained. “As a percentage of the unit cost, it became even further justifiable because of skyrocketing real estate prices,” he said. “So, it seems like a response to the weather, but I think it’s more a response to other factors. There’s also the element of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ where other developers are including air-conditioning and it’s been well-received. So where it was unusual to see air-conditioning 15 years ago, it’s unusual not to see it today.” Rising costs to the homeowner So the developers may be able to absorb those costs, but what about the buyer? Turcotte acknowledged that the cost of a unit in an air-conditioned building would likely be around $25,000- $30,000 more than in a baseboard-heated standard building – although, he added, “you’re aren’t able to start at that baseline [as all new buildings are including air-con].” However, Panatch conceded, forced-air cooling and heating is also a higher daily operating costs to the homeowner than baseboard heating. Cressey is working on two new condo buildings, both of which have very different systems but both offering units that are climate-controlled by the buyer. At Chelsea, a condo project at 31st and Cambie, which has a heat- pump system with a compressor inside the units, where owners have control over their heating and cooling. In the Bellevue building in West Vancouver, which has large suites marketed at wealthy downsizers, the company has gone with a multi-zoned fan-coil system, which allows for different zones within suites, also controllable by the owner and privately metered for each unit. “It’s two different ways of doing it, both giving you that same end result,” Turcotte added. The new normal Real estate marketing firm MLA Canada has also recently launched developments of varying size that have air- conditioning, including luxury high-rise The Smithe by Boffo in downtown Vancouver, Coromandel Properties’ eight-storey building Winston on South Oak, and Hensley by Cressey, a 33-storey tower in West Coquitlam. Cameron McNeill, MLA’s executive director, agrees that central cooling is the new normal for new residential buildings – especially in pricier markets. “Over the last few years, we are seeing a majority of high rises and luxury condos include air-conditioning. It will also vary by market but it is becoming a standard for presale developments in Vancouver’s West Side,” he said. “Our local homebuyers are well researched, and air-conditioning that cools the home during the warmer season offers comfort – while also providing a great value-add for developers marketing their new project.”
EDITORIAL: Bylaws be bygones
North Shore News
July 26, 2018 05:10 PM
Bylaws are meant to keep the peace between neighbours, but most often people caught breaking the rules are given an education letter, not fined. file photo Paul McGrath, North Shore News We’re going to let you in on a little secret. Municipal bylaws are almost meaningless. Unless you’re parked somewhere you shouldn’t be, municipalities are loath to get out the ticket book to deal with infractions. We bring you the story this week of a hostel that has been operating in contravention of the City of North Vancouver’s bylaws for close to two years. While egregious, it is simply one example of a wider problem. related North Van Airbnb host fined thousands for operating illegal hostel Bylaws are meant to keep the peace between neighbours and protect the environment and human safety, but enforcing any of our hundreds of municipal statutes may require time consuming investigations and co- operation from property owners and witnesses. If tickets are disputed, they have to wind their way through the court system which takes months or years. And even with a winning ruling in your hands, it requires yet more court time and legal bills to get any real action. It isn’t financially prudent for a municipality to rack up thousands of dollars in legal bills to force someone to pay a fine of a couple hundred dollars. Most often, people caught breaking the rules are given an education letter, which costs nothing and is of dubious impact. This is why no one ever is held accountable for leaving their sidewalks iced over, why some lawns are greener than others during a watering ban and why you can probably light up a dart under a No Smoking sign without consequence. The NDP is changing the maximum amount stratas can fine their owners for violating short-term rental bylaws to $1,000 per day but until the province gives sharper teeth to municipal and strata bylaws, they will remain by- suggestions.
Capitalism Killed Our Climate Momentum, Not “Human Nature”
Naomi Klein
August 3 2018, 8:34 a.m.
The skyline of Manhattan at sunset in New York, May 23, 2018.
Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
This Sunday, the entire New York Times Magazine will be composed of just one article on a single subject: the failure to confront the global climate crisis in the 1980s, a time when the science was settled and the politics seemed to align. Written by Nathaniel Rich, this work of history is filled with insider revelations about roads not taken that, on several occasions, made me swear out loud. And lest there be any doubt that the implications of these decisions will be etched in geologic time, Rich’s words are punctuated with full-page aerial photographs by George Steinmetz that wrenchingly document the rapid unraveling of planetary systems, from the rushing water where Greenland ice used to be to massive algae blooms in China’s third largest lake.
The novella-length piece represents the kind of media commitment that the climate crisis has long deserved but almost never received. We have all heard the various excuses for why the small matter of despoiling our only home just doesn’t cut it as an urgent news story: “Climate change is too far off in the future”; “It’s inappropriate to talk about politics when people are losing their lives to hurricanes and fires”; “Journalists follow the news, they don’t make it — and politicians aren’t talking about climate change”; and of course: “Every time we try, it’s a ratings killer.”
None of the excuses can mask the dereliction of duty. It has always been possible for major media outlets to decide, all on their own, that planetary destabilization is a huge news story, very likely the most consequential of our time. They always had the capacity to harness the skills of their reporters and photographers to connect abstract science to lived extreme weather events. And if they did so consistently, it would lessen the need for journalists to get ahead of politics because the more informed the public is about both the threat and the tangible solutions, the more they push their elected representatives to take bold action.
The Aug. 5, 2018, issue of the New York Times Magazine.
Image: Courtesy of the New York Times
Which is why it was so exciting to see the Times throw the full force of its editorial machine behind Rich’s opus — teasing it with a promotional video, kicking it off with a live event at the Times Center, and accompanying educational materials.
That’s also why it is so enraging that the piece is spectacularly wrong in its central thesis.
According to Rich, between the years of 1979 and 1989, the basic science of climate change was understood and accepted, the partisan divide over the issue had yet to cleave, the fossil fuel companies hadn’t started their misinformation campaign in earnest, and there was a great deal of global political momentum toward a bold and binding international emissions-reduction agreement. Writing of the key period at the end of the 1980s, Rich says, “The conditions for success could not have been more favorable.”
And yet we blew it — “we” being humans, who apparently are just too shortsighted to safeguard our future. Just in case we missed the point of who and what is to blame for the fact that we are now “losing earth,” Rich’s answer is presented in a full-page callout: “All the facts were known, and nothing stood in our way. Nothing, that is, except ourselves.”
Yep, you and me. Not, according to Rich, the fossil fuel companies who sat in on every major policy meeting described in the piece. (Imagine tobacco executives being repeatedly invited by the U.S. government to come up with policies to ban smoking. When those meetings failed to yield anything substantive, would we conclude that the reason is that humans just want to die? Might we perhaps determine instead that the political system is corrupt and busted?)
This misreading has been pointed out by many climate scientists and historians since the online version of the piece dropped on Wednesday. Others have remarked on the maddening invocations of “human nature” and the use of the royal “we” to describe a screamingly homogenous group of U.S. power players. Throughout Rich’s accounting, we hear nothing from those political leaders in the Global South who were demanding binding action in this key period and after, somehow able to care about future generations despite being human. The voices of women, meanwhile, are almost as rare in Rich’s text as sightings of the endangered ivory-billed woodpecker — and when we ladies do appear, it is mainly as long-suffering wives of tragically heroic men.
All of these flaws have been well covered, so I won’t rehash them here. My focus is the central premise of the piece: that the end of the 1980s presented conditions that “could not have been more favorable” to bold climate action. On the contrary, one could scarcely imagine a more inopportune moment in human evolution for our species to come face to face with the hard truth that the conveniences of modern consumer capitalism were steadily eroding the habitability of the planet. Why? Because the late ’80s was the absolute zenith of the neoliberal crusade, a moment of peak ideological ascendency for the economic and social project that deliberately set out to vilify collective action in the name of liberating “free markets” in every aspect of life. Yet Rich makes no mention of this parallel upheaval in economic and political thought.
In this May 9, 1989 file photo, James Hansen, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, testifies before a Senate transportation subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., a year after his history- making testimony telling the world that global warming was here and would get worse.
Photo: Dennis Cook/AP
When I delved into this same climate change history some years ago, I concluded, as Rich does, that the key juncture when world momentum was building toward a tough, science-based global agreement was 1988. That was when James Hansen, then director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, testified before Congress that he had “99 percent confidence” in “a real warming trend” linked to human activity. Later that same month, hundreds of scientists and policymakers held the historic World Conference on the Changing Atmosphere in Toronto, where the first emission reduction targets were discussed. By the end of that same year, in November 1988, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the premier scientific body advising governments on the climate threat, held its first session.
But climate change wasn’t just a concern for politicians and wonks — it was watercooler stuff, so much so that when the editors of Time magazine announced their 1988 “Man of the Year,” they went for “Planet of the Year: Endangered Earth.” The cover featured an image of the globe held together with twine, the sun setting ominously in the background. “No single individual, no event, no movement captured imaginations or dominated headlines more,” journalist Thomas Sancton explained, “than the clump of rock and soil and water and air that is our common home.”
(Interestingly, unlike Rich, Sancton didn’t blame “human nature” for the planetary mugging. He went deeper, tracing it to the misuse of the Judeo-Christian concept of “dominion” over nature and the fact that it supplanted the pre-Christian idea that “the earth was seen as a mother, a fertile giver of life. Nature — the soil, forest, sea — was endowed with divinity, and mortals were subordinate to it.”)
When I surveyed the climate news from this period, it really did seem like a profound shift was within grasp — and then, tragically, it all slipped away, with the U.S. walking out of international negotiations and the rest of the world settling for nonbinding agreements that relied on dodgy “market mechanisms” like carbon trading and offsets. So it really is worth asking, as Rich does: What the hell happened? What interrupted the urgency and determination that was emanating from all these elite establishments simultaneously by the end of the ’80s?
Rich concludes, while offering no social or scientific evidence, that something called “human nature” kicked in and messed everything up. “Human beings,” he writes, “whether in global organizations, democracies, industries, political parties or as individuals, are incapable of sacrificing present convenience to forestall a penalty imposed on future generations.” It seems we are wired to “obsess over the present, worry about the medium term and cast the long term out of our minds, as we might spit out a poison.” When I looked at the same period, I came to a very different conclusion: that what at first seemed like our best shot at lifesaving climate action had in retrospect suffered from an epic case of historical bad timing. Because what becomes clear when you look back at this juncture is that just as governments were getting together to get serious about reining in the fossil fuel sector, the global neoliberal revolution went supernova, and that project of economic and social reengineering clashed with the imperatives of both climate science and corporate regulation at every turn.
The failure to make even a passing reference to this other global trend that was unfolding in the late ’80s represents an unfathomably large blind spot in Rich’s piece. After all, the primary benefit of returning to a period in the not-too-distant past as a journalist is that you are able to see trends and patterns that were not yet visible to people living through those tumultuous events in real time. The climate community in 1988, for instance, had no way of knowing that they were on the cusp of the convulsive neoliberal revolution that would remake every major economy on the planet.
But we know. And one thing that becomes very clear when you look back on the late ’80s is that, far from offering “conditions for success [that] could not have been more favorable,” 1988-89 was the worst possible moment for humanity to decide that it was going to get serious about putting planetary health ahead of profits.
President Ronald Reagan signs legislation implementing the U.S.-Canada free trade agreement during a ceremony at the White House, Sept. 28, 1988.
Photo: Scott Stewart/AP
Recall what else was going on. In 1988, Canada and the U.S. signed their free trade agreement, a prototype for NAFTA and countless deals that would follow. The Berlin wall was about to fall, an event that would be successfully seized upon by right-wing ideologues in the U.S. as proof of “the end of history” and taken as license to export the Reagan-Thatcher recipe of privatization, deregulation, and austerity to every corner of the globe.
It was this convergence of historical trends — the emergence of a global architecture that was supposed to tackle climate change and the emergence of a much more powerful global architecture to liberate capital from all constraints — that derailed the momentum Rich rightly identifies. Because, as he notes repeatedly, meeting the challenge of climate change would have required imposing stiff regulations on polluters while investing in the public sphere to transform how we power our lives, live in cities, and move ourselves around.
All of this was possible in the ’80s and ’90s (it still is today) — but it would have demanded a head-on battle with the project of neoliberalism, which at that very time was waging war on the very idea of the public sphere (“There is no such thing as society,” Thatcher told us). Meanwhile, the free trade deals being signed in this period were busily making many sensible climate initiatives — like subsidizing and offering preferential treatment to local green industry and refusing many polluting projects like fracking and oil pipelines — illegal under international trade law.
I wrote a 500-page book about this collision between capitalism and the planet, and I won’t rehash the details here. This extract, however, goes into the subject in some depth, and I’ll quote a short passage here: We have not done the things that are necessary to lower emissions because those things fundamentally conflict with deregulated capitalism, the reigning ideology for the entire period we have been struggling to find a way out of this crisis. We are stuck because the actions that would give us the best chance of averting catastrophe — and would benefit the vast majority — are extremely threatening to an elite minority that has a stranglehold over our economy, our political process, and most of our major media outlets. That problem might not have been insurmountable had it presented itself at another point in our history. But it is our great collective misfortune that the scientific community made its decisive diagnosis of the climate threat at the precise moment when those elites were enjoying more unfettered political, cultural, and intellectual power than at any point since the 1920s. Indeed, governments and scientists began talking seriously about radical cuts to greenhouse gas emissions in 1988 — the exact year that marked the dawning of what came to be called “globalisation.”
Why does it matter that Rich makes no mention of this clash and instead, claims our fate has been sealed by “human nature”? It matters because if the force that interrupted the momentum toward action is “ourselves,” then the fatalistic headline on the cover of New York Times Magazine – “Losing Earth” — really is merited. If an inability to sacrifice in the short term for a shot at health and safety in the future is baked into our collective DNA, then we have no hope of turning things around in time to avert truly catastrophic warming.
If, on the other hand, we humans really were on the brink of saving ourselves in the ’80s, but were swamped by a tide of elite, free-market fanaticism — one that was opposed by millions of people around the world — then there is something quite concrete we can do about it. We can confront that economic order and try to replace it with something that is rooted in both human and planetary security, one that does not place the quest for growth and profit at all costs at its center.
And the good news — and, yes, there is some — is that today, unlike in 1989, a young and growing movement of green democratic socialists is advancing in the United States with precisely that vision. And that represents more than just an electoral alternative — it’s our one and only planetary lifeline.
Yet we have to be clear that the lifeline we need is not something that has been tried before, at least not at anything like the scale required. When the Times tweeted out its teaser for Rich’s article about “humankind’s inability to address the climate change catastrophe,” the excellent eco-justice wing of the Democratic Socialists of America quickly offered this correction: “*CAPITALISM* If they were serious about investigating what’s gone so wrong, this would be about ‘capitalism’s inability to address the climate change catastrophe.’ Beyond capitalism, *humankind* is fully capable of organizing societies to thrive within ecological limits.”
Their point is a good one, if incomplete. There is nothing essential about humans living under capitalism; we humans are capable of organizing ourselves into all kinds of different social orders, including societies with much longer time horizons and far more respect for natural life-support systems. Indeed, humans have lived that way for the vast majority of our history and many Indigenous cultures keep earth-centered cosmologies alive to this day. Capitalism is a tiny blip in the collective story of our species.
But simply blaming capitalism isn’t enough. It is absolutely true that the drive for endless growth and profits stands squarely opposed to the imperative for a rapid transition off fossil fuels. It is absolutely true that the global unleashing of the unbound form of capitalism known as neoliberalism in the ’80s and ’90s has been the single greatest contributor to a disastrous global emission spike in recent decades, as well as the single greatest obstacle to science-based climate action ever since governments began meeting to talk (and talk and talk) about lowering emissions. And it remains the biggest obstacle today, even in countries that market themselves as climate leaders, like Canada and France.
But we have to be honest that autocratic industrial socialism has also been a disaster for the environment, as evidenced most dramatically by the fact that carbon emissions briefly plummeted when the economies of the former Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s. And as I wrote in “This Changes Everything,” Venezuela’s petro-populism has continued this toxic tradition into the present day, with disastrous results. Let’s acknowledge this fact, while also pointing out that countries with a strong democratic socialist tradition — like Denmark, Sweden, and Uruguay — have some of the most visionary environmental policies in the world. From this we can conclude that socialism isn’t necessarily ecological, but that a new form of democratic eco- socialism, with the humility to learn from Indigenous teachings about the duties to future generations and the interconnection of all of life, appears to be humanity’s best shot at collective survival.
These are the stakes in the surge of movement-grounded political candidates who are advancing a democratic eco-socialist vision, connecting the dots between the economic depredations caused by decades of neoliberal ascendency and the ravaged state of our natural world. Partly inspired by Bernie Sanders’s presidential run, candidates in a variety of races — like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York, Kaniela Ing in Hawaii, and many more — are running on platforms calling for a “Green New Deal” that meets everyone’s basic material needs, offers real solutions to racial and gender inequities, while catalyzing a rapid transition to 100 percent renewable energy. Many, like New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon and New York attorney general candidate Zephyr Teachout, have pledged not to take money from fossil fuel companies and are promising instead to prosecute them.
These candidates, whether or not they identify as democratic socialist, are rejecting the neoliberal centrism of the establishment Democratic Party, with its tepid “market-based solutions” to the ecological crisis, as well as Donald Trump’s all-out war on nature. And they are also presenting a concrete alternative to the undemocratic extractivist socialists of both the past and present. Perhaps most importantly, this new generation of leaders isn’t interested in scapegoating “humanity” for the greed and corruption of a tiny elite. It seeks instead to help humanity — particularly its most systematically unheard and uncounted members — to find their collective voice and power so they can stand up to that elite.
We aren’t losing earth — but the earth is getting so hot so fast that it is on a trajectory to lose a great many of us. In the nick of time, a new political path to safety is presenting itself. This is no moment to bemoan our lost decades. It’s the moment to get the hell on that path.
LAUTENS: West Van councillors Cassidy and Booth in two-woman mayoral race
Trevor Lautens / Contributing writer
July 26, 2018 10:00 PM
Couns. Mary-Ann Booth and Christine Cassidy offer two competing visions of what West Vancouver could look like following the upcoming municipal election, according to columnist Trevor Lautens. photo North Shore News
This column has been amended since first posting.
Christine Cassidy, outwardly a Dresden china doll but with the guts of a burglar, is running for mayor of West Vancouver – at this moment in a two-woman race with fellow councillor Mary-Ann Booth.
Under a delicate porcelain skin that has to be seriously shaded from the sun, Cassidy is one placidly tough and independent-minded woman, WV council’s most frequent outlier.
When incumbent retired oil executive Michael Smith has deplored the lack of business experience on council, he apparently overlooks Cassidy. She’s had decades of experience with major financial services firms, three years ago selling her own but still maintaining one client – herself. She appears to be getting sound market advice. At council Cassidy is generally thrifty with words, then slips in the stiletto-sharp question. But she’s no (in Mayor Smith’s vocabulary) naysayer just for the sake of saying nay, quite capable of voting with the majority after making searching points.
Example: When council, to general surprise, voted unanimously to prohibit marijuana sales after the Oct. 17 legalization – with an asterisk; planning director Jim Bailey called it “prohibition light” and applications will be considered case-by-case – Cassidy characteristically contributed a late-in-the-debate question no one had thought of: Not even sold in liquor stores? (No, but Cassidy is skeptical that WV’s prohibition will hold.)
Cassidy is of the Irish stock forever ingrained with the great famine and mass exodus of 1845. Her father taught school in Burnaby. Her mother, doubtless busy with seven children, worked for a time at Woodward’s. The opposite of an ambitious career politician, Christine was slowly drawn into WV politics, first by an unpopular issue in her neighbourhood and then into the Ambleside and Dundarave Ratepayers’ Association, a sharp- toothed watchdog then led by the late Keith Pople.
Her full platform will have to wait for more space and better minds than mine, but: Condos too tall for Superman to leap in a single bound won’t be in it – certainly none close to the waterfront. Protection of WV character. A bistro replacing the sad hotdog shack at Ambleside Beach. A new life for the Klee Wyck arts centre destroyed by the disgraceful negligence of Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Smith, and perhaps earlier mayors.
City of North Van sues to shut down Airbnb hostel
Brent Richter / North Shore News
August 9, 2018 03:22 PM
Maeve Chamberlaine and Erin Wasney stand outside a townhouse in their complex being used as a hostel. file photo Kevin Hill, North Shore News
The City of North Vancouver is going to court to shut down an illegal 14-bed hostel operating out of a three-bedroom townhouse in Central Lonsdale.
Under the city’s zoning bylaw, “accommodation of the transient public” is not a permitted use, the petition filed in B.C. Supreme Court on Tuesday states, but Emily Yu has, since 2016, been advertising her home at 230 West 13th St. as the “Oasis Hostel” and offering up to 14 beds for rent. related
North Van Airbnb host fined thousands for operating illegal hostel EDITORIAL: Bylaws be bygones
“The use of the townhouse as a hostel disturbs the neighbours. The noise, traffic and transience of the hostel guests is inconsistent with the residential nature of the neighbourhood containing the townhouse,” the petition states. “The city has demanded that the respondent cease the hostel use of the townhouse but the respondent has not complied.”
In its petition, the city is asking the court for an injunction ordering Yu to immediately cease advertising and to cease taking bookings from guests intending to stay at the townhouse and stop the use of the home as a hostel within two weeks.
In addition to the injunction, the city is asking the court to declare that Yu is in contravention of the city’s zoning bylaw by using her condo unit for short-term guest accommodation and the city’s fire bylaw for failing to keep the corridors and exits free from obstruction.
The petition also seeks an order requiring Yu to remove all the large furniture from her unit’s hallways and landings.
The city included affidavits from two of Yu’s current neighbours in its court filings.
In his affidavit, Dan Goldberg estimated there are 10 to 20 people staying in his neighbour’s townhouse most nights, with peak occupancy in the summer. “Since the summer of 2016, I have personally observed over a hundred different people come and go from the Yu townhouse at all hours of the day, often carrying backpacks or suitcases.”
“The Yu townhouse is far too small to house so many people. I am concerned that this inappropriate use increases the risk associated with fire, bed bugs and property damage in the (townhouse complex),” Goldberg wrote.
Shouting, arguments and boisterous behaviour from outside the home are causing repeated sleep disturbances, he added.
“The hostel is weighing heavily on my quality of life and costing us sleep to the point that I feel impaired during the day,” Goldberg wrote.
Another neighbour, Erin Wasney, also took issue with the impact the guests are having.
“I often see guests returning to the Yu townhouse who are intoxicated or get very intoxicated on the patio. Guests regularly smoke weed on the patio and talk about drug use,” she said.
“The number of strangers walking through the courtyard … to access the Yu townhouse also makes me uncomfortable and reluctant to have my children play in the backyard.”
On Thursday, Yu said she had not yet been served with the legal documents but added that she was not worried.
“I don’t believe I violated the zoning bylaw. The city came with the fire department to check my property in May. They are satisfied with the property. They have not given me any comment about violating any fire violations,” she said.
Yu said she believes the zoning bylaw allows her to run a hostel if she also lives at the same address, which she does.
Yu said she will not hire a lawyer and will, instead, represent herself in court after she is served with court papers.
The city’s request for a court injunction is the latest in an ongoing legal battle between Yu, the city and her townhouse strata council.
Previously Yu was ordered by the Civil Resolution Tribunal to shut down after she was found to be violating the strata’s bylaws against short-term rentals.
After news about the hostel went public last month, Airbnb removed Yu’s listing while they conducted an internal investigation.
Intelligence Memos
From: Benjamin Dachis To: Vancouver City Council Date: July 25, 2018 Re: City of Vancouver plans to worsen housing affordability with increased fees on developers
ouse prices in Vancouver have increased dramatically in recent years. But city council is set to make affordability worse this week through H increases in fees on new developments that are likely to be passed onto homebuyers. Developers pay development cost levies (DCLs, also called development charges) to compensate municipalities for the cost of building municipal infrastructure that services homes and commercial properties. Development fees are politically popular because they are portrayed as money paid by profitable developers rather than by homeowners, who have little appetite for increased property taxes.
Vancouver City Council approved a new city-wide DCL for water and wastewater two weeks ago. It is also meeting this week to decide on increases to DCLs that cover expenses like parks, childcare, and other infrastructure. Both increases would take effect on September 30.
These charges are set to nearly double relative to charges in place now. For the average 2,000-square-foot house, the proposed DCLs would be $13,000, up from the current $7,200.
In a recent C.D. Howe Institute study I co-authored, we found that increasing DCLs in Ontario cities leads to higher house prices, not just for new houses, but for all houses (on average) in the city that increased DCLs. Vancouver City Council should be aware of this Ontario evidence, which that shows higher costs on developers get passed onto consumers.
With the recent changes, Vancouver will be joining the club of cities in which water-related charges are the largest single component of these DCLs. Water and wastewater construction charges are 20 percent of total development charges in Ontario cities like Toronto or Ottawa. Water-related charges are more than half of the DCLs in many suburban Toronto-area cities.
It would be better to charge for these services based on actual end use, as is common for electricity and natural gas, instead of through up- front fees. Only if cities charge the full cost of both annual operations and construction through gradual depreciation of assets will consumers pay the full cost of water assets. When customers pay the full cost of using an asset on a life-cycle basis, they are making the choice of consuming the right amount of water every time they turn on the tap or flush a toilet. Water prices on end use are too low in many places, partly because of municipal reliance on capital financing from development charges. Removing development charges for water and wastewater and charging consumers only on end use would better reflect the full use of water, leading to less overconsumption.
The DCLs set by the City of Vancouver are only a portion of the overall upfront cost that developers face when building homes. For example, Vancouver-area municipalities negotiate with developers to provide “Community Amenity Contributions” when a development proposal exceeds zoning bylaws. These kinds of charges increase uncertainty for developers and therefore increase the cost of housing. While amenities increase the value of housing, requiring developers to finance them results in homebuilders paying upfront for these kinds of services. The result, like DCLs, are high costs passed onto new homebuyers, resulting in high house prices for all.
If the City of Vancouver wants to improve affordability, it should find ways to better distribute the costs of new infrastructure in a way that better reflects its actual usage.
Benjamin Dachis is Associate Director of Research at the C.D. Howe Institute. To send a comment or leave feedback, click here. The views expressed here are those of the author. The C.D. Howe Institute does not take corporate positions on policy matters.
Essential Policy Intelligence / Conseils indispensables sur les politiques Controversial North Vancouver affordable housing development up for final approval District holding fourth and final reading on Emery Village development
Clare Hennig · CBC News · Posted: Jul 23, 2018 2:01 PM PT | Last Updated: 3 hours ago
Mosaic Homes wants to build more than 400 rental and strata units in North Vancouver. (District of North Vancouver) The saga of North Vancouver District's Emery Village housing development is nearing its end as it heads for approval, with the project up for fourth and final reading at council on Monday evening. It has been a hotly contested project in recent months because, at its core, the debate centres on the best strategies to ensure affordable housing for North Shore residents. Dozens of North Vancouver tenants plead with council to save rental building "It represents an opportunity for us to increase the overall number of housing units we have in the community which is important for us," said Coun. Roger Bassam, who voted in favour it. The project would see the current 61 affordable rental units at Emery Place replaced with 411 homes including 84 rental units, half of which will be secured as affordable rental. The rest of the development will include townhouses and low-rise and mid-rise apartments at market prices. Criticism of displacement For Coun. Lisa Muri, who's against the new development, the means do not justify the ends. "Currently, what is there are those large affordable family units," she told Stephen Quinn, the host of CBC's The Early Edition. North Vancouver development plan raises tenant concerns over 'renovictions' "I'm not interested in displacing residents that have raised their children here, that have supported our community here, that have lived in this community for decades, simply to accommodate a majority of one bedroom units." But Bassam says the units are old and need to be replaced. "While it's been described as affordable housing that's there right now, it's still market housing — it's affordable because it's old and it's aged out," he said.
Residents of Emery Place turned out to speak against the redevelopment plan at a protest in June. Defining 'affordable' Muri says that's exactly why they should be retained. "They are old but hardly beyond their lifespan," she said. "The only housing that is affordable is older housing." She says she's concerned current tenants would have to pay more than what they're paying now for the new "below market" housing. North Vancouver development gets green light after emotional council debate "The word affordable has never truly been defined," she said. "Below market is not necessarily affordable to the vast majority of people."
The Early Edition North Vancouver councillors battle out affordable housing question ahead of development plan 00:00 10:21 The saga of the Emery Village housing development continues in the District of North Vancouver, with the project up for its fourth and final reading at council on Monday evening. 10:21 With files from The Early Edition. Read more from CBC British Columbia Displaced Deep Cove seniors dealt another blow after fire
Maria Spitale-Leisk / North Shore News
August 7, 2018 05:03 PM
Heather Mclachlan, a former Lions Manor resident, holds some curlers found in her suite, as she sits in front of the burnt-out complex. Mclachlan is one of several residents struggling to find a place to live following a recent fire at the subsidized housing complex in Deep Cove. photo Lisa King, North Shore News Seniors displaced from a fire-ravaged subsidized housing complex in Deep Cove have been dealt another blow: a notice from their landlord stating there is no guarantee they can return home. Mount Seymour Lions Housing Society sent an email, obtained by the News, to Lions Manor residents last week stating their tenancy had been terminated as of July 24 – the day of the fire. related Deep Cove rallies around displaced seniors The low-income housing provider explained they had exercised a clause under provincial residential tenancy policy guidelines, called “frustration,” which absolves them from fulfilling their obligations under the contract because of an "unforseeable event." “The fire effectively eliminated what we were offering under the tenancy agreement,” said Dennis Simpson, general manager of the Mount Seymour Lions Housing Society. “That was our lawyer’s advice, in terms of ending of the contractual arrangement between tenant and landlord.” A sentence in the email that shook many of the now-former Lions Manor residents reads the Lions Housing Society “will not provide any implied or inferred guarantee of offer of tenancy in the future to any applicant regardless of their prior tenancy.” The displaced residents were also told it could be up to two years before they can even reapply to live in the 60- unit Lions Manor – the estimated time it will take to rebuild the provincially subsidized housing complex. Upon hearing the news, some of the seniors expressed fear and hopelessness for the future, as they currently struggle to find short-term, affordable accommodation after the fire. “It is a very frightening thing to be looking homelessness in the eye, most especially for the very elderly and those with disabilities,” said Pam Kennedy, who was just getting back on her feet at Lions Manor after experiencing housing insecurity for 17 years. Kennedy, 69, has spent countless hours scouring the internet for a new place but has come up empty. She is in rebuilding mode after losing her bed, toiletries and important documents, among other personal possessions, in the fire. “The biggest thing I lost, though, was not tangible, but was my joy in living in Deep Cove, so near the water, in such a peaceful and pleasant community … after 17 years I finally felt content,” said Kennedy, who is currently sleeping on her son’s couch. Leah Sand is facing a similar dilemma finding housing for her 73-year-old mother who has mobility challenges. Sand was upset to learn her mother, along with some other seniors from the Lions Manor complex, might be forced out of the community. "I know a handful of people in that building and I can tell you that many of them rely on each other for help and companionship, so having them split up and taken away from the North Shore is going to be hard on many of them,” said Sand, adding many of the seniors rely on medical services that are within walking distance in Deep Cove. Mount Seymour Lions Housing Society is trying to fast-track former tenants’ transfer applications through the B.C. Housing system. “We’ve asked and received special agreements from B.C. Housing that they will prioritize these residents,” said Simpson. You can steer your application towards a preferred community, explained Kennedy of how the system worked when she put in her request with B.C. Housing. "Regardless of where you wish to be you can go through the lists and stipulate via building code which buildings you prefer, thus avoiding areas or types you may not wish to live in," said Kennedy. "Also, there are lists of most of the non-profits ... and (that's) how I found Lions Manor." In her experience with the B.C. Housing system, Kennedy said those who apply are triaged based on the level of urgency. A B.C. Housing spokesperson was not available for comment by the News' deadline on Tuesday afternoon. As for why the residents have no guarantee of returning to Lions Manor, Simpson says that’s because they don’t know what changes will be made to the building as it’s retrofitted. “One issue that comes to mind is that an opportunity like this presents itself to create a non-smoking building,” said Simpson. “We might make that choice. And that’s going to affect a lot of our former tenants because they were smokers.” The challenge right now for Mount Seymour Lions Housing Society is predicting when the building can be reoccupied, as they wait for professional assessments by many parties to be completed. “There was extensive water and smoke damage to the interior,” said Simpson, explaining the building will soon be a shell and stripped down to its studs. The cause of the fire has been ruled as accidental, according to Haida Siegmann, assistant chief, public safety, with District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services. While there were no sprinklers in the 31-year-old complex, Siegmann said fire walls in the building helped contain the blaze. Fire investigators were able to narrow down the origin of the fire to one suite on the fourth floor, but can’t say definitively what caused it due to extensive damage. “There’s no indication that it was related to building maintenance,” says Siegmann. “What we are left with is something that happened accidentally in the suite.” Calling it a “very sad” situation, District of North Vancouver Coun. Lisa Muri said she trusts the district would expedite permits to get Lions Manor rebuilt “as quickly as possible to get those people in.” “I hope that every effort is going to be made … I want those people to be able to come back if they want to come back,” said Muri. Mount Seymour Lions Housing Society operates three other subsidized complexes in the Seymour area and has no plans to pull out of Deep Cove, according to Simpson. There is a restrictive covenant on the Lions Manor land, which is leased from the district, that stipulates it is to be used for nothing other than low-income housing. While the majority of displaced seniors are staying with family and friends, there are a few “complicated cases," according to Fiona Dercole, director of the North Shore Emergency Management Office. Irene Gyselinck is one of the complicated cases. Her tenants' insurance expired months ago and she hadn't gotten around to renewing it. She is part of small group of Lions Manor residents who have been taken under the wing of the Red Cross. Stephanie Alexandra, 61, is another former Lions Manor resident left reeling after the fire. "I don't think it's hit me yet," she said. Alexandra, who is deaf, lived in in the complex for six years and has a volunteer role in the community that affords her a $100 honorarium each month. Every penny counts for Alexandra, who lives on disability assistance and has about $1,300 a month to survive on for shelter and basic necessities. Along with personal posessions, the exhibiting nature photographer lost more than 100 prints in the fire. Alexandra is currently staying with an acquaintance until the end of August. After losing priority placement for Lions Manor, Alexandra fears the life and connections she's made on the North Shore will soon be upended. Erin Smith, manager of seniors’ services at Parkgate Community Centre, is part of a team working tirelessly to connect the fire victims with offers of local assistance. They hope to uncover any suites in the Cove-Seymour area sitting empty to keep the seniors in the community. Looking at the makeup of the Lions Manor, Smith says there are a number of eldery residents over the age of 80 and a small percentage of adults, who might have disabilities, between the ages of 50 and 65. Smith is worried these residents, many of whom attend programs at Parkgate, will be shipped out of the community and become disconnected from their support networks. The Cove community, meanwhile, has rallied around the displaced citizens. A barbecue fundraiser is set for Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the plaza at Parkgate Village. That evening the Cove business community is putting on a charity event at the Deep Cove Yacht Club at 7:30 p.m. The fundraiser will feature live music by the Scott Riddell Band, snacks and a silent auction, with all proceeds going to the myparkgate.com fund in support of the fire evacuees. Tickets are available here. District of North Van approves live-work units in Maplewood Plaza
Maria Rantanen / Contributing writer
July 29, 2018 09:37 AM
The district is moving forward with a Maplewood Plaza development project following an amendment that would ensure some units would be reserved for live-work. image supplied
North Vancouver District moved forward with the Maplewood Plaza development after an amendment to ensure live-work units would be part of the project.
The plan passed second and third reading at the July 16 regular meeting of council after Coun. Roger Bassam introduced an amendment directing staff to prepare a covenant to “specify a portion of the live-work units as commercial.”
The application for 229 Seymour River Place, which is currently largely vacant, is for eight retail commercial spaces totalling 10,500 square feet, and 193 residential units – 101 strata apartment and 21 strata townhouses in one building and 33 strata units, 28 market rental units and 10 units with affordable rents. There will be 286 vehicle parking spots and 259 bicycle spots.
Areas of the development had been identified for ”live-work use,” for example, for doctors, dentists and other professional services as start-up companies as they grow. These would allow more activity than home-based businesses.
Initially, some councillors spoke against the plan because of the uncertainty of space for economic activity. Bassam said that, in the “hierarchy of real estate,” residential has the highest and best value, ahead of commercial and industrial. He added he didn’t want to support the plan, even though it was close to what he wanted to see.
“Get the job part right and then we’ll deal with the commercial part after,” he said.
Coun. Jim Hanson echoed these concerns, saying while the area will be the “epicentre” of commercial activity in Maplewood, the project didn’t focus enough on the economic activity needed.
“There’s too much housing, not enough development space that would give rise to jobs and services and economic activity,” Hanson said.
Coun. Lisa Muri said she opposed the application because of the number of projects that are ongoing in the district and she’s concerned about liveability, traffic and construction.
“Is there no time when we should just take a pause, step back and say ‘I think we’re good right now, let’s review’?” Muri said.
After Dan Milburn, director of planning, properties and permits, told council the developer was open to having a covenant on the project to ensure the live-work space, Bassam introduced his amendment, which council passed. With the amendment ensuring the live-work units, council passed the second and third reading for the Maplewood Plaza development. The vote for the project was 5-2 with Couns. Muri and Hanson voting against it.
District of North Van pauses Innovation District plans Council votes 5-2 to punt debate on Maplewood project to post-election time
Maria Rantanen / North Shore News
July 17, 2018 03:30 PM
Architectural drawings depict how North Vancouver’s “innovation district” might look when completed. District council voted to punt making a decision on the project to the next council to be elected in October. image supplied North Vancouver District council voted to defer the Maplewood Innovation District project until after the October municipal election following a public campaign over the past two weeks that asked council to slow down the process. Five councillors voted on Monday evening to defer first reading of the employment and residential project, jointly proposed by Darwin Properties and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation on a 45-acre former gravel quarry. The deferral motion was put forward by Coun. Robin Hicks, saying more time was needed to absorb this proposal. Couns. Roger Bassam and Mathew Bond voted against the deferral. Mayor Richard Walton said he was worried the project would have become the sole focus of the municipal election if the public process had taken place leading up to the Oct. 20 election. This proposal has been underway for much of this council’s time, Walton added, saying council had the “knowledge and experience and continuity” to deal with it instead of passing it on to the next council that might have several new members. “But as mayor, I have a broader concern, a concern that focuses on the process of municipal elections as a constructive and forward-thinking dialogue, debate and vote on the future of our community,” Walton added. “And what I fear is that instead this project may cause the election to become a forum on a specific development only, if the full public process takes place in the weeks leading up to the October election.” The Maplewood North Lands is being proposed as an “Innovation District” with 1.4 million square feet of business floor area, 680 rental units and 220 “education-oriented” rooms, for Capilano University students and faculty members, $7.5 million in community amenities, road and trail network construction as well as stream and habitat protection measures. There will also be improvements to Dollarton Highway and other road improvements. Walton said many residents have responded to the project with “limited amounts of information, some of it third hand, some of it inaccurate and some of it quite frankly just completely wrong.” He added that many of the concerns about infrastructure capacity, traffic planning and the public process could be addressed through “constructive dialogue.” “There seems to be a lack of understanding about the history and ownership of the land, its current zoning and the development rights associated with it,” Walton said. Coun. Lisa Muri, who also voted for the deferral, said she thought everyone in the council chambers wanted to have jobs and affordable housing on the North Shore “but not at the expense of further gridlock in our community and not at the expense of not understanding the environmental impact in the areas that we hold so dear, the Maplewood Conservation Area.” Muri was also critical of the communication process, saying that while the developer followed the process, the district’s communication process was “minimal” for a project this size. Bond acknowledged the traffic woes on the North Shore, but said that not enough housing has been built for the next generation of people coming to North Vancouver. If we continue to defer difficult decisions “our window of opportunity to make a significant difference for those people who need those homes and need those jobs will be closed,” Bond said. In his comments on the motion to defer, Bassam said he agreed with Walton that the current council was capable of making that decision and that it had been a lengthy process to get to this point. “Deferring it frankly seems to me to be abrogating our responsibility as elected officials to make difficult decisions,” Bassam said. After the deferral motion passed, several community members spoke about how they felt they didn’t have enough information, and several expressed gratitude at the deferral. The project site is home to temporary student housing, a child-care centre and two businesses, but also has forested areas and other greenspace. Darwin Properties and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation bought the land in 2015 from the Port of Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver started a public process in February 2016 to rezone the property. Starting in April 2016, district staff held open houses and a design charrette as well as stakeholder meetings to come up with a plan for the area. This resulted in an addition to the Maplewood Plan, which council approved in November 2017. Based on these changes, council adopted an OCP amendment in February 2018. Oliver Webbe, president of Darwin Properties said in a statement after council’s decision to defer the proposal, that the work with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation has been a “multi-year process” to bring jobs and purpose-built rental housing to the North Shore. “Together we worked diligently to ensure our proposal considered every aspect called for in the official community plan,” Webbe said in the statement. “However, council has spoken and we will be taking time to regroup on what the next steps will be.” The site is currently zoned for mining, garbage disposal and soil filtering. The developer has held two community open houses at the property and, despite the decision from council, has plans for more open houses. The next one is today and there will be six more until mid-September. For open house dates and location, go to nsidlands.ca.
District of North Van voters asked to weigh in on affordable housing question Should the district spend up to $150M on non-market housing?
Brent Richter / North Shore News
July 25, 2018 06:13 AM
District of North Vancouver municipal hall. file photo Cindy Goodman, North Shore News
With only four meetings remaining between now and the next civic election, District of North Vancouver council members are floating a number of affordable housing initiatives.
Council debated and passed a series of motions from individual council members aimed at creating below- market housing and rental suites on Monday night, the last council meeting of the summer.
Following a split vote on council, voters will have another question added to their Oct. 20 ballot asking whether they “authorize the District of North Vancouver to spend up to $150 million to create not less than 1,000 units of non-market housing to be constructed not later than January 2029?”
The motion came from Coun. Roger Bassam who said he believes the district should take a more active role in creating non-market housing, which has traditionally been a provincial or federal responsibility, but only with a mandate from district residents. Getting the public’s approval for that kind of spending is one of the planks in Bassam’s mayoral platform.
“I really have to emphasize that this is seeking authority from the electorate to spend their money and it’s a significant amount of money that we clearly are not mandated to spend as a municipality,” he said.
The alternative, Bassam argued, that the district becomes an enclave for only the very wealthy, lacks vibrancy. Not everyone agreed with the ballot question tactic though. Coun. Lisa Muri said referenda take months of planning and communication and it was too late in the game to expect the municipality and the public to become adequately prepared. Mayor Richard Walton, who quarterbacked the failed 2015 TransLink funding plebiscite said he too was no fan of referenda as a means of shaping complex policy. Bassam’s motion passed 4- 3 though.
Coun. Jim Hanson is also pushing for some policy changes that could see the district add to its rental stock without engaging in large scale redevelopment – creating more secondary suites in single-family homes.
Hanson has already added a suite to his home. About 75 per cent of new builds include them as well.
“There was some expense involved in the suite, making it suitable but then after, it’s worked very well. Another family shares our home. We are downsizing but we don’t have to leave because they are taking over some of that space,” he said. “From my point of view, it has to be the cheapest way to actually get affordable rental housing in the district.”
Some of the ideas Hanson presented: Expedited permitting, hiring a staffer to assist homeowners with the process, looking into the possibility of grants or forgivable loans, reduced permit fees and easing requirements for additional parking spaces for suites near frequent transit.
Hanson’s motion requesting a staff report on his suggestions passed 6-0.
Also on the rental file, Coun. Mathew Bond has asked staff to begin researching how the district might use the newly created power to zone properties as rental-only.
Bond is looking to see how rules could be applied to properties, regardless of how they are built out now and regardless of whether the official community plan foresees change and growth on them in the future, all with an eye to creating new purpose-built rental or saving existing buildings.
Although there were some concerns expressed about how rental-only zoning might interfere with property rights and land values, Bond’s motion passed unanimously.
Lastly, Bond won support for a motion to begin rezoning several lots of district-owned land within the Maplewood plan area so it matches the use called for in the official community plan.
Much of the land in the area is owned by Darwin Properties, which is proposing, in partnership with the Tsleil- Waututh Nation, to build 900 housing units and 1.4-million square feet of business space. The first vote on that project though has been punted until after the fall election.
Bond’s motion calls on the district to start rezoning in the land taxpayers own for a range of non-market and market rental residential homes, as well as light industrial, artisan, job-generating uses. That would signal to non-profit partners that the district is serious about developing the sites, Bond argued.
Bond’s motion passed with only Hanson opposed, who said the Maplewood plan is simply too much and too fast for district residents already stressed by traffic and growth. Muri wasn't present for the the final vote.
PREST: Dodging Jetta mind tricks and other car lot hazards
Andy Prest / North Shore News
August 8, 2018 03:59 PM
Dealerships are so clean, so friendly with their tall windows and white-tiled floors. They’re like spotless aquariums full of the world’s friendliest great white sharks. photo supplied iStock
There’s nothing quite so flattering and terrifying as buying a car.
Dealerships are so clean, so friendly with their tall windows and white-tiled floors. They’re like spotless aquariums full of the world’s friendliest great white sharks.
Many car salesmen have a fascinating and unique grasp of the English language. For most native speakers, common phrases such as “I’m just looking” or “I need to talk to my wife before making a final decision” or “May I please use your bathroom?” have very clear meanings that we all agree upon.
Your average car salesman, however, hears these phrases and takes them all to mean the exact same thing: “I would like to give you thousands and thousands of dollars RIGHT NOW!”
This generalization, of course, applies to car salesmen in all other parts of the world except for those in North Vancouver and West Vancouver, who are all kind, generous people who enjoy getting you the right car at the right price and also enjoy buying a lot of advertisements in the North Shore News.
Even under the best of circumstances, however, buying a car can be a stressful task. While cycling, walking, taking public transit or becoming a hermit are all viable, eco-friendly options, the truth remains that most families need a vehicle to get them to their important baseball practices, camping trips and baseball camps. And when you need a new one, the price can be daunting. If you’re in the market for a big SUV, a fancy electric machine or a luxury automobile, you can soon find yourself facing a bill that creeps up towards $100,000. Here in the Vancouver area that $100,000 could be used as half of a down payment on a house the size of a small broom closet.
Even if you’re looking at a much more modestly priced new or used vehicle, few purchases outside of a place of dwelling will rival your automobile purchases for sheer price.
My family recently was faced with this distressing process after a visit to my local mechanic confirmed that the clutch on my old hatchback was shot.
The fix would be a few thousand dollars at least, for a car that was worth a few thousand dollars at most. My mechanic, whom I’m sure enjoys taking money from people like me for performing mechanic work, pumped the brakes instead. “Just buy a new car,” she said.
So it was that during a recent trip to an out-of-town baseball tournament, my family and I found ourselves killing our downtime by touring various car lots. My wife took the first test drive while my kids and I went for lunch, and from how she tells it, the sales shark could smell a fresh kill.
“How much are you looking to spend?” he asked her once the test drive was over. My wife made up a semi- plausible number, at which point the salesman poked at his calculator for a few seconds, got a big friendly grin on his face and said, “Yup, we can do that! Right on the button. OK, what colour do you want? You like red? You’d look great in red. OK, sign here please. I’ll just need your credit card for a quick deposit so you know you’re getting the one you want. How about blue? I’ve got one blue left on the lot, you can have it this afternoon. You’d look great in blue. OK now, we’re all set. All I need is your life savings.”
That may be a slight exaggeration, but the car salesman quick sell most certainly does happen, probably because it works. You start to wonder, “Oh no, what if I miss out on this model with the heated seats and white paint and four doors. They probably only made one of them!”
My wife, however, was too wily to fall for these Jetta mind tricks. Me on the other hand ... during our recent car search I fell in love with the first one I drove – it was so much better than our 10-year-old hatchback with no clutch! – and my wife nearly had to cut off my arm to keep me from handing over my wallet.
Finally we visited several dealers in the Northshore Auto Mall, a place full of lovely and helpful and honest and extremely nice-smelling people who have great deals and support local newspapers. We bought a cool car, got a good deal on it too. We made sure to find out exactly what the “all-in” price was before pulling the trigger on the sale. All that was left was to go chat with the dealer’s finance manager, at which point the “all-in” price doubled. Approximately.
Actually it wasn’t that bad at all. And at least we got the floor mats we really wanted. In fact, I feel like a crafty wheeler dealer now.
I even have a little money left over. Maybe it’s time to tackle that one bigger purchase I’ve never quite got a grasp of here in Vancouver: a house.
My new car sure would look snazzy parked out front of a nice little West Coast-style broom closet.
GRINDING GEARS: Drivers and cyclists are just people too
Brendan McAleer / Contributing writer
July 29, 2018 07:26 AM
Both drivers and cyclists should strive to give each other more space, grumble less, and listen more.
file photo Kevin Hill, North Shore News
The thing about bicycles is... oh, hang on, I've just got 12 angry emails already. Good heavens. What a great deal of creative spelling.
Anyway, the thing about bicycles is that you'd never imagine a spindly frame of metal with two wheels attached to it could inspire so much passion.
Yet throughout history, the bicycle has been fraught with controversy, whether it was early desires to prevent women from using them lest their wombs go inverted (this really was the thinking of the day), or our current modern pistols-at-dawn level of discourse over things like bike lanes. It's not unlike most political discussions these days. With attention spans shorter than ever, only the loudest and most polarizing opinions get any traction. The coherent, cogent argument is a thing of the past, so everybody just yells in ALL-CAPS with the aforementioned creative spelling. This is a problem, because the solution to most problems facing us today isn't a pendulum swing between two opposing viewpoints, but a meeting in the middle. A Venn Diagram overlap. A compromise. You, know, those things where everyone doesn’t get exactly what they want, but you muddle along as best as you can anyway. I see married couples in the audience nodding their heads sagely. Thus, we can't block off every road tomorrow and transform them into a cycling paradise free from cars. Leave aside arguments about the need for emergency vehicles, or the mobility requirements of those who can't ride a bike – you just won't change people’s minds overnight. Because the thing about cars is that they are convenient. Except for parking, fuel, cost, insurance, and traffic. Otherwise, they're great. You can keep stuff in them, they’re faster at getting from point to point than most public transportation, it’s a lot easier to get your kids to soccer practice on time, and there are few easier ways to haul your groceries home from the store. Bicycles, on the other hand, are less convenient than cars. You get wet when it rains, and sweaty when it hills. However, you can park them anywhere, they cost practically nothing by comparison, they have the side effect of making you less fat, and traffic snarls don't really affect you any more. In a perfect world, we would all be able to teleport directly to work or, even better, work from home in our pyjamas, which I am certainly not doing right now. But we don't live in that world. We live in a place where people need to get to places all over the North Shore, and we need to find the best and safest way of facilitating this. Since this is an automotive column, perhaps you're expecting me to cast my vote for Car in the great debate between Car vs. Bike. Yes, I do enjoy driving, and recognize that it is still the primary mode of transport for most of the population, but here’s an argument for you. There is, or was a few years ago, a sticker that you used to find on commuter cycles that said, “One less car.” Now obviously, that should be, “One fewer car,” but the point made was that the rider of this contraption was putting out less pollution and so forth. One fewer metal monstrosity on the road. Here's the thing. Every bike that rides along the newly joined Spirit Trail, every cyclist that noodles down to the SeaBus terminal rather than face afternoon lineups over the Second Narrows, every one of those people represents one fewer car on the road. That’s one fewer car in front of you when you have no choice but to drive because you need to leave work, pick up the kid from school, drop a package off to be mailed, then pickup groceries on the way home. The riders aren’t doing it for you, they’re doing it for mostly self-centred reasons. Maybe it’s easier for them to make their way to work on a bike path. Perhaps they’re a fair-weather rider only, taking advantage of the summer season. It doesn't matter if that cyclist is humming along in a smug little fog past a line of traffic-snarled cars, they really are one fewer car in front of you. If more people could be lured out of their cars and onto bikes, life might be easier for all of us. With the increasing cheapness of electric-assist bikes reducing the effort required in biking around, cycling will likely become more popular. Add in safer routes like the Spirit Trail and listen to the requests of cycling advocates with an open mind, and we all benefit. But too often, instead of a carrot to cycling, what seems to emerge is the appearance of a stick to force drivers out of their cars. Road pricing. Tolls. Fuel surcharges. It’s all well-meaning, but it ignores the fact that some people simply have to drive to get through their daily lives. Yes, there are those who drive for convenience only, but there are also tradespeople, and busy parents, and those for whom a car represents physical freedom. We’re not going to solve the car vs. bike argument overnight, but we can begin to break down these artificial barriers that the argument creates. There are no “drivers,” nor are there “cyclists,” there are only people trying to get from place to place as quickly as they can. We can make it easier and safer for everyone if we just remember to give each other a little more space, grumble a little less, and listen a little more. Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and automotive enthusiast. If you have a suggestion for a column, or would be interested in having your car club featured, please contact him at [email protected]. Follow Brendan on Twitter: @brendan_mcaleer.
FedBearDeadBear
North Shore News
July 12, 2018 03:39 PM
This photo posted on Instagram shows a bear eating a package of crackers after being handed them by an adult man through a sliding glass door. image Instagram
In July 2014, a 93-year-old Delbrook woman had to be stitched up after a run-in with a bear. The bruin had pushed its way into her house and they had startled each other in the kitchen. The woman survived, but conservation officers shot the bear, which had been living off garbage. It is precisely the scenario we work so hard to avoid.
But making the news this week are frankly baffling videos of a North Shore family deliberately feeding a mother bear and cub from their back door, clearly mistaking the wildlife for furry friends appreciative of a snack.
related
Video of hand-feeding bears in West Vancouver sparks outrage
By habituating these bears, the family has signed their death warrants. We’d be surprised if mother and cub are still alive when this editorial comes off the press.
The family in the video is heard speaking Russian and so it’s entirely possible they haven’t read educational materials from the North Shore Black Bear Society or any of our dozens of stories and editorials warning against this very activity. A fed bear is a dead bear. Education is the first and best line of defence when it comes to protecting wildlife. Ironically, the family’s social media videos will go a long way in showing people what not to do.
But this is just an egregious example of people luring bears on purpose. Across the North Shore, there are longtime residents with sloppy habits when it comes to garbage, bird feeders, tree fruit and other attractants that threaten our ursine neighbours. These are people who can’t claim ignorance and for whom education will do nothing to protect bears.
To our conservation officers and municipal staff, we say: start writing bylaw tickets. Write them until your pens run dry. And when you run out of pens, you can use some of ours. FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018 north shore news nsnews.com NEWS | A9 INQUIRINGREPORTER What is your favourite aspect about B.C.? The Colony of British Columbia was declared by the British government on Aug, 2, 1858 with •Fits most roof types James Douglas as its first governor. Since 1974, British •Locks included $ 00 Columbians have been 249 celebrating on the first •Abrand of YakimaRacks Monday of August. Whether it’s the mountains, the forests, •Includes freeinstallation Reg $375.00 the sea, the many festivals or Exp Aug 31, 2018 its history, people are gearing up to celebrate the B.C. Day long weekend. Some people Nahid Tavakoli Westerly Douglas 324 EEsplanade Ave enjoy the natural beauty, North Vancouver North Vancouver others the diverse population “I like B.C. very much because “The oceans, the mountain NVan 604.987.7474 and still others like the quirky of the beautiful nature; at the view, the people, everything history of this west coast same time, I see multicul- about it. There’s nothing here province. tural people around and the that I don’t like. B.C. is a beauti- Weigh in at nsnews.com. Indigenous people as well.” ful place to be in.” — Maria Rantanen 604-925-1341 www.progas.ca
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Felled trees bordering Seylynn are missed
Dear Editor: removed. I understand this Editor’s Note: The row of Last week I arrived at is to be a live/work area but trees on Hunter Street at the Seylynn Park and was devas- all the businesses on Hunter southern end of Seylynn Park tated to see all the beautiful, Street are also gone. was slated to be removed and mature trees on the south The developer advertises eventually replaced as part of border of the park gone! this as “North Shore’s Most the roadway improvements Products to give you The photo and caption Family Friendly Community.” negotiated within the Hunter freedom &mobility. in the North Shore News on Is this a plan to increase the Street development project July 20 indicated this was to District of North Vancouver and in keeping with the make way for parking. tax base but at the expense Seylynn & Bridgman Parks What could have been of increased density and Conceptual Master Plan. 604-985-8771 •www.daviesrx.com a great buffer between the traffic? The trees sat in the roadway Home Healthcare 1417 St.Georges Ave.,North Vancouver imposing Hunter at Lynn Bruce Higgins allowance and not within the Creek development has been North Vancouver park boundary. FULL SERVICE, REPAIRS &DELIVERY Good Samaritans hailed as heroes following Deep Cove seniors complex fire 'You could hear the fire. Like a crackling campfire times a hundred.'
Jane Seyd / North Shore News
July 26, 2018 02:50 PM
North Shore resident Nick Coles didn’t hesitate before running into the burning Lions Manor apartment complex Tuesday, along with several other Good Samaritans, to help make sure all seniors made it out safely. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News Smoke inside the hallway of the Lions Manor seniors complex was already thick as Nick Coles and another volunteer struggled to help get a man in a wheelchair out of his apartment. “The smoke was starting to change to black. You could hear the fire. Like a crackling campfire times a hundred,” said Coles. “It was coming. It was getting louder.” related 66 people displaced after fire at Deep Cove seniors' residence The two men tipped the senior back in his wheelchair and managed to carry the chair through a side door of the building before the smoke grew overwhelming. Then they heard someone shouting from a fourth-floor apartment – a woman with a broken leg in a cast out on her balcony. Coles and the other Good Samaritan scaled the building from the outside while black smoke poured from the building. As the fire started to pick up speed, neighbours arrived with a ladder. The two men were helping manoeuvre the woman on to the ladder when firefighters arrived and took over. It wasn’t until afterwards that the impact of being in the smoke-filled building hit him. “All of a sudden I couldn’t breathe.”
District of North Vancouver firefighters battle a blaze at Lions Manor Deep Cove, a seniors complex in Deep Cove Tuesday afternoon - photo Paul McGrath, North Shore News Coles was taken to hospital and checked for smoke inhalation but later released. Coles and several other bystanders, including Deep Cove resident Euan Crawford and two construction workers, are being credited with heroic actions after fire erupted at the 60-unit housing complex Tuesday afternoon. Coles was about to have lunch in a Deep Cove backyard when “I saw this huge orange rolling flame,” he said. He ran to the scene and by the time he got there. “The flames were huge,” he said. “They must have been 10 feet above the roof.” Coles said he didn’t think twice before running into the building. “I just ran in there,” he said. “I thought to myself that I couldn’t go to sleep that night if somebody perished in that fire and I didn’t at least try to get people out.” Eight people were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation and later released, but all of the residents were safely evacuated from the building Tuesday afternoon. Stephanie Alexandra, who lives in the Lions complex, was home in her fourth-floor apartment when the fire alarm went off. Alexandra said she looked out into the hallway and saw the manager knocking on doors, telling people to get out. When the manager opened the door to an apartment across the hall, where one of her neighbours was away, “black smoke came billowing out immediately,” she said. Residents said the fire appeared to start on the top floor in the centre of the housing complex. Evacuees were taken to an emergency reception centre at Parkgate Community Centre. But challenges for those affected by the fire and their families may only just be starting. While most residents had their personal possessions covered by tenants’ insurance and the building itself will likely be restored, that will take time. Most of the building has extensive water damage. “We’re being told by the restoration company it will be an extended period of time,” said Dennis Simpson, general manager of the Mount Seymour Lions Housing Society. Deep Cove residents pitched in to help elderly residents who were evacuated from a seniors housing complex when it caught fire Tuesday - photo Paul McGrath, North Shore News
Residents were told at a meeting Wednesday it could be eight months to a year before the building can be occupied again, said Fiona Dercole, director of the North Shore Emergency Management Office.
The building is a provincially subsidized housing complex, so seniors living there only had to pay 30 per cent of their income towards rent. Now those seniors are suddenly homeless in a community with virtually no affordable housing.
Most are staying with family and friends for now but “in most of those cases that’s not a permanent solution,” said Dercole.
Ashley Swartz and her 88-year-old mother Elizabeth Ann are among those scrambling to find housing. Swartz said her mom is currently staying with her in a small apartment, but that’s not a long-term solution given Swartz’s own multiple sclerosis, which limits her ability as a caregiver. “There’s nothing on the North Shore,” she said. “There’s a two-year wait-list and my mom’s 88.”
Leah Sand is facing a similar dilemma finding housing for her mother Marie Scarlett, 73, who has mobility challenges.
Sand said families were provided with leads for available apartments, but some on the list had rents of $4,000 per month.
Sand said her mom is staying with her in her one-bedroom apartment, but the walk-up is difficult for her mom to manage. “I wish I had a bigger place so it would be more comfortable for my mom, but I don’t,” she said. “It’s a very stressful situation.”
Those without nearby family or friends or who have no way to pay for immediate shelter have been transferred to a care facility in Coquitlam until Monday, said Dercole.
BC Housing has promised to “fast track” applications from residents of the seniors’ complex, Dercole added. The BC Seniors Living Association is also asking care facilities in the Lower Mainland about availability.
The Parkgate Community Services Society has set up an account for those who wish to contribute financially to residents of the complex.
Sand has also set up a GoFundMe account under Lion’s Manor Fire Victims Fund and plans to give the money collected there to the Parkgate Community Services Society for distribution.
Anyone with housing or other offers of help can contact organizers at [email protected].
Heywood running for City of North Vancouver mayor
Brent Richter / North Shore News
August 8, 2018 10:30 AM
Guy Heywood is running for mayor in the City of North Vancouver. photo supplied
Former City of North Vancouver council member Guy Heywood is returning to civic politics and running for mayor.
Heywood, who served two terms on council and three on the North Vancouver school board, bowed out in 2014. But now, with campaign finance laws changed to ban corporate and union donations, Heywood said there is an even playing field between candidates and a chance to restore faith in council. related
SULLIVAN: North Van’s democratic vigour in need of a boost New political party declares in City of North Vancouver
“We now have a chance to see how our government will operate without big money from developers involved in the election that produces the council. That’s a big change,” he said.
“The sense in the community is it’s an opportunity for change and the change can go good or it can go bad. I’d really like to be involved to make it a positive change.”
The top issue Heywood sees in the coming election is traffic.
Over the last year, the city and district have joined in the Integrated North Shore Transportation Planning Project but if we want to solve our transportation problems, it must go beyond that, he said.
“It’s not a problem that can be fixed by a committee. It’s deep and structural,” he said. “(We need) to be implementing more co-ordinated, even merged, planning between the city and district on development and traffic.” The result, Heywood said, would be more considerate pacing and sequencing of development and a greater understanding about the cumulative impacts on infrastructure than two separate planning departments can provide now.
“Somebody has to say ‘If the hole’s getting deeper, stop digging,’” he said. “The reason that traffic is a big issue over here is that the region-wide mantra of ‘density begets transit’ doesn’t work here. How much do we have to choke before we get that transit silver bullet?”
Merged planning may sound a lot like amalgamation, a risky political gambit in the traditionally amalgamation- averse city. But Heywood said residents in both North Vancouvers would benefit.
“They can sit in gridlock for the next 10 years if they really like the status quo,” he said. “Common sense has been defeated by these silos that have grown up over the years.”
District of North Vancouver citizens will be voting on a ballot measure this fall on whether they support a study into amalgamation.
Heywood said he would support that study at the city council table.
“It never hurt anybody, except maybe some self-interested politicians and bureaucrats, to have the truth,” he said.
When it comes to the high cost of housing, Heywood acknowledged it’s becoming a more serious problem every year.
“It’s individuals who need help, not developers. Density and development is not the solution to every problem,” he said. “We need to support the organizations that meet those individuals’ needs. And we need social housing and we need forms of ownership that don’t get overpriced in global financial markets.”
Heywood said he does not support granting extra density to developers in exchange for market rental housing.
Although not officially a slate, Heywood said he will be running with at least five like-minded but independent council candidates who came together under the North Vancouver Citizen Action Association, the non-profit he started last year.
© 2018 North Shore News
EDITORIAL: If you build it...
North Shore News
July 24, 2018 04:38 PM
Lower Lonsdale residents Susan Clair and Art Benson take their grandson Josh Klochnyk for a ride on the Spirit Trail just minutes after its opening on July 20. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News The City of North Vancouver is to be commended for two big achievements this week – the opening of the Spirit Trail through Mosquito Creek in partnership with the Squamish Nation and setting in motion plans that will see a new Harry Jerome rec centre built within five years (for real this time). We share in the feeling of sticker shock at the $237-million price as well as the anxiety that the little city may be biting off more than it can chew. related Spirit Trail opens across Mosquito Creek New $237M Harry Jerome rec centre approved in split vote But this is the gold-plated Rolls- Royce of community centres that appears to satisfy every user group’s wish list, from curlers to indoor pickleballers. And if all goes according to plan, much of the cost of this monument to healthy living will be covered by the 99-year lease of city-owned land and development of towers next door. Although smaller in scale and budget, the opening of the Spirit Trail through the Squamish Nation’s land offers almost as much promise. With this connector open, you can get from the Lions Gate Bridge to Lower Lonsdale and beyond, on foot or by bike, pretty much without having to gear down, lose momentum or risk life and limb to anyone behind the wheel. Without a doubt, this will encourage people to leave their cars in park or simply get out and enjoy the waterfront. The community owes a great debt to the Squamish Nation for inviting everyone to pass through their land. The result is going to be a healthier, more connected us. When it comes to great public works, we do know this: If you build it, they will come.
LAUTENS: In West Vancouver trusts, beware of being too trustful
Trevor Lautens / Contributing writer
July 13, 2018 12:34 PM
The crumbling Klee Wyck arts centre sits in West Vancouver. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News
The hard-boiled, unsentimental leadership of the District of West Vancouver is seeking an outrageous extinguishment of the intent of dead West Vancouverites who aren’t here to protest the town’s covetous designs on their legacy.
It’s vaguely like Klee Wyck – shuttered by then-mayor Pam Goldsmith-Jones for “safety reasons,” in fact caused by years of wilful municipal neglect – but more crudely materialistic. related
West Vancouver chastised for letting Klee Wyck rot
In 1990, Pearly and Noreen Brissenden bequeathed their heavily foliaged 2.4-acre property in the 2500 block of Rosebery Avenue to West Vancouver on the understanding – promise – that it would be used as a park. Would they have left their loved land to the town if they’d anticipated that CEO and Mayor Michael Smith – and his all-too-frequently unresisting council and bureaucracy – seek a court order to amend (i.e. break) the trust, divide the land now valued at 10 million bucks, sell half of it to a developer, and use the proceeds to buy the two remaining beachfront houses near 14th Street?
There was thoughtful jawin’, but only Coun. Christine Cassidy voted against this DWV ambition.
Maybe the Brissendens would now wish they’d left their land to kin. Or maybe they’d be consoled by a nice plaque in their name on the remaining stub of a park. Certainly some neighbours, who may have bought or built nearby homes partly on the appeal of a supposedly guaranteed leafy property that also shielded the noise of the Upper Levels highway above, are strongly, and properly, opposed.
Oh, and there’s that awkward principle thing. Courts break trusts only for the most compelling reasons. Not for the avarice, the convenience, the “vision” of government, certainly not to buy with sale proceeds the two unobtrusive houses in Ambleside that, as Constant Reader knows, I believe provide a measure of beachgoers’ safety, especially at night when beaches can become a very different animal.
B.C.’s Attorney General, David Eby, represented by Sointula Kirkpatrick, opposes the DWV in his role of defender of trusts.
I must again quote Ingunn Kemble from this paper’s May 11 front-page story, who is so right on target: “If you ever consider donating a piece of property to West Vancouver for a specified purpose, don’t do it.”
I cheerfully hope the court kicks the DWV in its ethically cold, promise-wobbly teeth.
Income of $150,000 needed to live in City of Vancouver- approved "affordable" rental: lawyer Nathalie Baker by Carlito Pablo on July 17th, 2018 at 3:30 PM
Vancouver lawyer Nathalie Baker believes that only rich tenants can pay for supposedly affordable rentals being approved in Vancouver.
The City of Vancouver has recently approved a Kerrisdale rental development that supposedly contributes to its affordable housing goals.
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The rezoning application for the project at 2109 West 35th Avenue was supported by council on a motion tabled by Vision Vancouver councillor Raymond Louie, and seconded by Vision councillor Andrea Reimer. The rents start at $1,903 per month for a one-bedroom unit, and $3,702 for a three-bedroom unit, on the date of the public hearing, which was July 10, 2018.
Green councillor Adriane Carr was the only one who voted against the project.
At the July 10 public hearing, Nathalie Baker, a litigator who specializes in municipal law, addressed council and pointed out that the rental project is far from affordable.
“That’s not what it is,” Baker told councillors.
Baker pointed out that the city’s affordable housing goals are purportedly meant to benefit people with moderate incomes.
She said that based on city staff reports, moderate incomes range from $30,000 to $80,000 per year.
The Vancouver lawyer noted that housing is considered affordable if housing costs are 30 percent of gross income.
In the case of the 2109 West 35th Avenue development, Baker said that renters must have an annual income of $150,000 to be able to manage paying the rent for a three-bedroom unit at $3,702 per month, based on the 30 percent affordability threshold.
According to Baker, the starting rents for the three bedrooms are out of the range by moderate income earners.
With respect to the one-bedroom unit, which will have a starting rent of $1,903, Baker said that a renter must have an income of $76,000 to manage monthly rents at the 30 percent affordability threshold.
Baker pointed out that this means that a renter on the higher scale of the moderate income range can barely afford a one-bedroom at the development.
Baker likewise said that the median income of a single renter in the city is $35,000. The median income for renter households is $50,000.
The rents start on the date of the public hearing. The developer can increase rents annually during construction, which means that the first occupants will pay more than the rates reported to council at the public hearing.
Baker told council that if the city wants expensive housing that wealthy renters can afford, then it should say so, instead of claiming that these projects are affordable.
Follow Carlito Pablo on Twitter at @carlitopablo. Maplewood Innovation District open houses ongoing
Maria Rantanen / North Shore News
July 25, 2018 09:42 AM
Area residents Cary Ford, Norm Grass, Mickael Plourde and Dale Grass discuss the Maplewood Innovation District proposal at a July 18 community open house.
photo Paul McGrath, North Shore News
The Innovation District project in Maplewood is on hold until after the October municipal election, but Darwin Properties and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, the developers, are still holding community open houses about the project.
The developers are inviting the public to the open houses to learn about the project and how they plan to address traffic concerns, environmental measures as well as amenities planned for the Seymour community. They are inviting feedback and ideas on how the community wants to see the project developed.
The Innovation District plans include 1.4 million square feet of business floor area, 680 rental units and 220 “education-oriented” rooms, $7.5 million in community amenities, road and trail network construction as well as stream and habitat protection measures.
North Vancouver District council voted July 16 to halt the process after locals asked for a pause as they learn more about the project that includes residential, commercial and industrial development.
Open houses take place at Innovation Campus Gymnasium, 2420 Dollarton Hwy., on the following dates:
July 24: 12 to 3 p.m.
Aug. 8: 4 to 7 p.m.
Aug. 21: 12 to 3 p.m.
Sept. 5: 4 to 7 p.m.
Sept. 13: 12 to 3 p.m.
Sept. 15: 12 to 3 p.m.
More info: nsidlands.ca WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2018 north shore news nsnews.com NEWS | A5
NEWS NORTH SHORE NEWS NETS 6 NATIONAL AWARDS 7 Sponsored content WEB POLL ARE YOU ENJOYING SETH ROGEN’S VOICE ON TRANSIT? 9 BRIGHT LIGHTS ROTARY CLUB’S 40TH 12 Mayor’s Message
RichardWalton, Mayor,District of North Vancouver
Making sense of municipal taxes Local governments areresponsible for most of the direct services that make our region livable including public safety,clean water, well maintained streets, waste and sewage management, recreation, and stewardship of our parks and wilderness areas. Funding for these services is provided largely through your property taxes. It is not always easy to see how your taxes areapplied to services you receive, as taxes arepaid to three levels of government which DANCE WITH THE DEVIL Revellers join in the fun at the annual Caribbean Days deliver different services through different entities. Festival parade on Lonsdale Avenue, Saturday. See more images at nsnews.com. PHOTO MIKE WAKEFIELD Municipal governments receive eight per cent of the national tax dollar,yet own 60 per cent of public infrastructure. North Heat-exhausted hikers Vancouver District owns and sustains $2.1 billion in assets. With this eight per cent, municipalities deliver some of the most important services you rely on every day.Toshow the drive up rescue call-outs value-for-dollar of these services, we’ve compared them to other common costs in daily life. mid-afternoon, starting get a pickup.’” Some municipal service costs aresurprisinglylow compared with ‘Know your limits,’ with a distress signal from a One of the two hikers, other daily expenses. For example, you pay 18 cents per day for advises North beacon at the back of Hanes described as two muscular Valley. With no details of the men in their late 20s, was recycling services, while the newspaper you put in your recycling Shore Rescue emergency, other than GPS exhibiting hallmark signs of bin after reading is $1.75 aday. during Metro co-ordinates, North Shore heat exhaustion and dehydra- Rescue volunteers set out for tion: nausea, dizziness and leg Breaking down service costs in this way helps demonstrate how heat warning the backcountry. cramps. financial stewardship at the municipal level can have apositive Two members were “You could tell he wasn’t in impact on your every day life. MARIA SPITALE-LEISK dropped from the Talon good shape. He was shaking. [email protected] helicopter in a remote area He was so weak he couldn’t of the Hanes Valley to try and stand up,” said Yarnold. If you can’t handle the locate the subject. In the end, The call was made to extri- heat, stay out of the the hiker had made his way cate the heat-exhausted hikers mountains. back to the Lynn Headwaters from the mountain. That’s the message from trailhead. “This is when I learned North Shore Rescue members, Simultaneous to the Hanes they had actually come up the who had their hands full this Valley call, NSR received word Grind earlier,” said Yarnold. weekend while the mercury of a hiker near the summit “They did bite off more than pushed past 30 degrees of Dog Mountain in medical they could chew.” Celsius and some hikers found distress. “She was vomiting At the same time on themselves in peril. and dizzy and unable to walk,” Sunday, NSR was called out “It was a bit of a frenzy,” said Yarnold. to Mount Seymour, near Elsay said North Shore Rescue Two rescue teams were Lake, where a group of hikers search manager Jeff Yarnold, deployed to reach the woman were stuck with a 100-pound who estimated half the calls on Mount Seymour who was dog that was struggling in the were directly related to the hot suffering from suspected heat heat. “That’s a real tough one temperatures. exhaustion and dehydration. for us,” explained Yarnold. The busy rescue weekend The helicopter was called in “We are only tasked by the kicked off Friday with a “signif- for a long-line mission that province to help if the hikers icant call” to save a hiker who saw the ailing hiker flown need help.” got stuck on a steep cliff while to NSR’s Bone Creek station While the group managed descending the west Lion. and handed off to waiting to get Fido down the mountain “It’s vertical terrain there, paramedics. on their own, one of the female so when you’re off-route it The Talon then flew back to hikers may have injured her gets serious pretty quickly,” Hanes Valley to airlift a hiker back trying to carry the dog, described Yarnold. “Luckily immobilized by a knee injury according to Yarnold. he dropped his backpack and down the mountain as dark- Looking back on the week- watched his backpack fall ness fell on Saturday. end as a whole, Yarnold said about 300 or 400 feet. And that Sunday’s rescue lineup the message for hikers is to was enough for him to decide started mid-afternoon with be prepared for the elements that he should stay put where a call from a pair of hikers and pack extra water and he was.” stranded on Crown Mountain, electrolytes. NSR swooped in to assist just below the summit. At “You can’t just go and Lions Bay Search and Rescue first, NSR hesitated to send a pick off one of these big hikes and long-lined the hiker to helicopter. “We try and give when it’s 30 degrees out, when solid ground just before dark some tough love here too, you’ve been on the couch,” on Friday. right?” said Yarnold. “We don’t said Yarnold. “You just have to [email protected] The next day a cluster of like people just calling saying: have a realistic objective for calls came in for NSR around ‘Hey, we’re tired, we need to your fitness level.” dnv.org/mayor WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2018 north shore news nsnews.com SENIORS | A23 Healthy eating promotes overall well-being
eating well all the time can The report states: House, and North Shore Plan your meals around SENIORS be a challenge. “Malnutrition has been Volunteers for Seniors, to vegetables and fruits – these Seniors may be cooking shown to have a nega- name a few. foods should cover about CALENDAR for only one or two indi- tive impact on health For other food service half of your plate. viduals, which can make it outcomes, and is associated choices check out the new In the Healthy Eating HARMONY ARTS FESTIVAL challenging. Also, a senior’s with increased mortality, 2018 Seniors Directory put for Seniors Handbook, the — SENIORS’ SERIES Free sense of smell and taste can increased length of hospital together by the North Shore authors outline a number of outdoor entertainment from be diminished which means stay, readmission to the Community Resources ways to eat well. 2 to 4 p.m. at John Lawson they don’t get the usual hospital, complications, and Society and published by They offer advice on Park, foot of 16th Street, West hunger cues, and some increased healthcare costs.” the North Shore News. various components of a Vancouver. Schedule: Aug. 5, Older might find it difficult to get The report does point Or you could call North balanced diet, whether to Dal Richards’ Orchestra; Aug. And Wiser out shopping – especially out that the nutritional Shore Meals on Wheels to take supplements, how to 6, The Bruce James Orchestra Margaret Coates during the summer heat. A status of malnourished or get a healthy food option eat well with a chronic ill- – Vancouver Big Band; and senior could try the “shop at-risk older adults can be delivered to your home. ness and how to stay strong Aug. 12, Beauty Shop Dolls. by phone” options available improved with nutritional Meals on Wheels can be through healthy eating. harmonyarts.ca. Eating healthy is a must at many food stores. interventions. reached at 604-922-3414. They also give tips on meal STANS ANNUAL PICNIC for seniors. Sometimes seniors just It suggests these inter- For dietetic referral planning, shopping and AND ROUND ROBIN The Combined with exercise, don’t feel like cooking, ventions could include and advice try or call cooking. Senior Tennis Association you can’t beat this combo perhaps after 50 or 60 odd dietetic referral and advice, HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 to They give advice on infor- of the North Shore hosts for healthy aging. (I know, years of cooking for others nutrition information speak to a registered dieti- mation you can trust and its picnic and round robin I know I’m always going on this is not an unreasonable resources, Meals on Wheels, tian free of charge from 9 food safety. The last part of Wednesday, Aug. 8, 8 a.m. at about exercise.) thing to feel. and other community a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to the handbook outlines great Murdo Frazer Park. Tennis Eating well is important However, nutritionists services. Friday. recipes. courts off of Elizabeth Way, as one ages because it helps suggest eating at home more For instance, you could Copies of the Healthy I personally liked the sec- North Vancouver. Members, maintain a person’s inde- and eating out less is best go to a seniors’ centre that Eating for Seniors Handbook tion on quick and delicious players and non-members are pendence and ability to stay in order to keep control of prepares daily meals, such are also available to order salads – these are especially welcome and lunch will be active and participate in one’s diet. as Silver Harbour Seniors’ free of charge by dialing good in the summer heat! provided. seniorstennis.ca their community. Unhealthy eating leads Activity Centre and West 8-1-1. SENIOR TRAVELLER Learn Healthy eating promotes to malnourishment and puts Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Summer can be a great Margaret Coates is the how senior, blogger and world and supports social, physi- older adults at risk. Centre for a nutritious hot time to get back on track if co-ordinator of Lionsview traveller Sherrill Madden cal, and mental well-being A recent report called meal. you have fallen off the eating Seniors’ Planning Society. She visited 16 countries in three for everyone, at all ages and Raising the Profile of Many other organiza- well wagon. has lived on the North Shore years on her own and within in all stages of life. Community-based Seniors’ tions offer meals at differing There are lots of fruits for 48 years and has worked a frugal budget Tuesday, But according to the Services in B.C. showed that times of the week, such and vegetables available for and with seniors for 20 of Aug. 14, 10-11:30 a.m. at North B.C. Ministry of Health’s approximately 34 per cent as Parkgate Community that fall under the Canada those years. Ideas for future Vancouver City Library, 120 Healthy Eating for Seniors of seniors in Canada living Services Society, North Food Guidelines of what to columns are welcome Email: West 14th St. nvcl.ca Handbook, for many seniors were at nutritional risk. Shore Neighbourhood eat. [email protected]. – compiled by Debbie Caldwell
Board of Directors
Summer TransLink is the regional authority responsible for the planning, building and Summer operating of an integrated transportation system for the movement of goods and people in MetroVancouver.With acombined work force of over 7,000 people, TransLink and its operating subsidiaries represent one of the largest organizations in British Columbia. SaleSale TransLink’sBoardofDirectors is responsible for supervising the management of TransLink’saffairs and for acting in the best interests of the broader organization while upholding the highest levels of integrity and professionalism.
TransLink’sScreening Panel is seeking three individuals to contribute seasoned leadership, community,business, and operational perspectives to 40%OFF TransLink’sBoardofDirectors. Applications aresought from individuals who possess significant community awareness and connection to the community, governance and goods movement experience, and who arecustomer-service ENTIRESTORE! focused.
Interest is welcomed from qualified individuals who reflect the diversity of the customers that TransLink serves. Candidates should have previous experience in acomplex organization, be financially literate, and possess the time and follow us on interest needed to actively participate on the Board. OPEN 10-6 •SAT 10-5 •SUN 12-4 Consistent with TransLink’sgoverning legislation, the Screening Panel is required to provide alist of qualified candidates by September 15, 2018 to the We will be closed forthe long weekend Sunday Aug 5th &Mon Aug 6th Mayors’ Council for its consideration. For further information about these positions, please visit www.watsoninc.ca. To express your interest in this opportunity,please email your CV to [email protected] by August 7, 2018. 116-1151 Mount Seymour Rd., North Vancouver AT PARKGATEVILLAGE OPEN 604-988-6362 MONDAY -SATURDAY WATSONINC.CA Escape Travel-Wear is just5minutes from the Ironworker’sBridge–takeMt. Seymour Parkway exit to ParkgateVillage. 3doors down from BeanAroundthe WorldCoffee. Please recycle this newspaper. Metro Van mulls Grouse Park tweaks
Jeremy Shepherd / North Shore News
August 1, 2018 09:44 AM
Metro Vancouver is seeking public feedback on potential changes to the Grouse Mountain Regional Park through an online survey available until Aug. 10. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News Should the Grouse Grind be open on those crisp, clear days in winter? Should dogs be allowed to roam free on the Baden Powell Trail? Those are just a few of the topics included in a survey that may affect the future of Grouse Mountain Regional Park for the next 20 years. After officially becoming a park in 2017, Metro Vancouver is now reaching out to the public for ideas and advice on how best to use the 75 hectares of land formerly under the jurisdiction of the Greater Vancouver Water District. “We’re looking for some feedback,” said Jeff Fitzpatrick, Metro Vancouver regional parks manager for the west area. While the Grouse Grind typically closes its staircase in the winter, Metro Vancouver is considering sporadic, weather-dependent openings for those periods when the avalanche risk is low and the stairs are free of ice or snow. “There wouldn’t be a great cost increase,” Fitzpatrick said. Metro Vancouver is also toying with the idea of closing the approximately 70-metre connector trail at the base of the mountain that leads in and out of the Grouse Grind. Instead, fitness aficionados would use the Baden Powell to get to the Grind. Metro Vancouver is also reaching out to users of the BCMC trail. “We’re proposing a rustic standard and we want to make sure we’re getting that right,” Fitzpatrick said. Generally, the changes to the park would be “fairly modest,” according to Fitzpatrick. “There’s not a lot of opportunity to develop major new park facilities on it. It’s quite steep and people really enjoy the natural experience up there.” However, Metro Vancouver is also seeking opinions on their vision statement, which emphasizes human health and wildlife corridors. “It would be great to hear at a high level: are we heading in the right direction?” he said. A summary of the survey responses will likely be posted this fall, according to Fitzpatrick. “We’re keen to hear from as many people as possible.” The results of the survey are slated to help guide the evolution of the park over the next 20 years, according to a release from Metro Vancouver. Anyone wanting to offer their thoughts on the park is invited to fill out the survey here. All surveys must be submitted by Aug. 10.
A22 | nsnews.com north shore news FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018
2018 General Local Government Election Saturday,October 20, 2018
NOTICE OF NOMINATION ELECTOR QUALIFICATIONS Public Notice is giventothe electorsofthe DistrictofNorth Vancouver that nominationsfor theoffices of: RESIDENT ELECTORS: Mayor onetobeelected • 18 yearsofage or olderongeneral votingday for theelectionorassentvoting; and Councillor sixtobeelected • aCanadian citizen;and, SchoolTrustee four to be elected • aresidentofBritish Columbia for at least6monthsimmediatelybeforethe dayof for afour-year term,November 2018 –November 2022,will be received by theChief registration;and, Election Officeroradesignated person,asfollows: • aresidentofthe DistrictofNorth Vancouver for at least30daysimmediately beforethe dayofregistration; and, When: 9amonSeptember 4, 2018 to 4pmonSeptember 14,2018(excluding • notdisqualified under theLocal Government Actorany otherenactment from statutoryholidaysand weekends) votinginanelectionorassentvotingand nototherwisedisqualified by law. Where: Clerk’sOffice District of North Vancouver NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS: 355WestQueensRoad • 18 yearsofage olderongeneral votingday for theelectionorassentvoting; and, North Vancouver,BCV7N 4N5 • aCanadian citizen;and, • aresidentofBritish Columbia for at least6monthsimmediatelybeforethe dayof Nomination formsare available at theDistrictofNorth Vancouver Clerk’sOffice registration;and, during regular office hours(8am-4:30pm). • aregisteredowner of real property in theDistrictofNorth Vancouver for at least 30 days immediately beforethe dayofregistration; and, • theonlypersons whoare registeredownersofthe property,eitherasjoint tenants QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE or tenantsincommon, areindividuals whoare notholding thepropertyintrust for Apersonisqualified to be nominated, elected, andtoholdofficeasamemberof acorporation or anothertrust;and, localgovernment if they meet thefollowingcriteria: • notentitled to register as aresidentelector;and, • Canadian citizen; • notdisqualified under theLocal Government Actorany otherenactment from • 18 yearsofage or olderongeneral votingday; votinginanelectionorassentvotingand nototherwisedisqualified by law;and, • residentofBritish Columbia foratleast 6monthsimmediatelybeforethe day • if there is morethanone registeredowner of theproperty, only oneofthose nomination papers arefiled;and, individualsmay,withthe writtenconsent of themajorityofthe owners,registerasa • notdisqualified under theLocal Government Actorany otherenactment from non-residentpropertyelector. votinginanelectioninBritish Columbia or from beingnominated for, being electedtoorholding theoffice, or be otherwisedisqualified by law. MAIL BALLOT VOTING Mail ballot votingwill be available to voters withdisabilities whocannot travel to a CAMPAIGN PERIOD EXPENSE LIMITS votingplace andtovoters whowill be absent from theDistrictonthe GeneralVoting In accordance withthe LocalElections Campaign FinancingAct,for the2018general Day(October20) andall threeAdvance VotingDays(October10, 13 &15).Inorder localelection, thefollowingexpense limits for candidates apply during thecampaign to receiveamail ballot packageyou must first complete aMail Ballot Application period: available online at dnv.org/election-2018 or in person at theDistrictHall. If youare Mayor$53,963.10 notabletopickupamail ballot package, please have your applicationtothe Chief Councillor $27, 335.76 Election OfficerbySeptember 27,2018toallow sufficient timefor apackage to be School Trustee$27,326.52 mailed. THIRD PARTYADVERTISING LIMITS Mail ballot packages will be sent out on or about September28, 2018.Tobe In accordance withthe LocalElections Campaign FinancingAct,for the2018general counted, mail ballotsmustbereceivedbythe ChiefElectionOfficer no laterthan8 localelection, thefollowingthird partyadvertisinglimitsapply during thecampaign pm on Saturday, October20, 2018. period: Mayor&Councillor $2,698.16 NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO VOLUNTEER AS School Trustee$1,366.33 AN ASSENT VOTING SCRUTINEER On Saturday, October20, 2018,qualified electors withinthe DistrictofNorth LIST OF REGISTERED ELECTORS Vancouver will be votingonthe followingnon-binding assent votingquestions: BeginningSeptember 4, 2018 untilthe closeofgeneral votingfor theelectionon October20, 2018,acopyofthe list of registeredelectorswill,uponsignature,be 1. Do yousupport theestablishmentand funding, nottoexceed$100,000,ofan available for public inspection at theDistrictofNorth Vancouver Clerk’sOffice advisory body comprised jointly of residents of theCityofNorth Vancouver and during regular office hours8am–4:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding statutory residents of theDistrictofNorth Vancouver to investigatethe costs, benefitsand holidaysand weekends). potential implications of reunifyingthe twomunicipalities? 2. Do youauthorize theDistrictofNorth Vancouver to spendupto$150Million to REQUEST TO OMIT OR OBSCURE PERSONAL create notlessthan1000 unitsofnon-markethousingtobeconstructed notlater INFORMATION than January,2029? An electormay requestthattheir addressorother informationabout them be Applications to actasascrutineerfor or againstthe questionswill be received by the omittedfrom, or obscuredon, thelistofelectors. Upon request, theChief Election ChiefElectionOfficer between 9am, September 4, 2018 to Officerwill amendthe list,which is available to thepublic andcandidates,by 4pm, September 14,2018 at: omittingorobscuring theelector’s information. District of North Vancouver Clerk’sOffice 355WestQueensRoad OBJECTION TO REGISTRATION OF AN ELECTOR North Vancouver,BC An objectiontothe registration of apersonwhose name appearsonthe list of V7H4N5 registeredelectorsmay be made in accordance withthe LocalGovernment Actuntil 4pmonSeptember 14,2018. An objectionmustbeinwritingand mayonlybemade Applicationforms,and information on therequirementsand procedures for making by apersonentitled to be registeredasanelector of theDistrictofNorth Vancouver an application, areavailable at theDistrictofNorth Vancouver websiteat andcan only be made on thebasis that apersonwhose name appearsonthe list of dnv.org/scrutineer. electors hasdiedorthatapersonwhose name appearsonthe list of electors is not qualified to be registeredasanelector of theDistrictofNorth Vancouver. FURTHER INFORMATION Forfurther informationonthe generalelectionand non-bindingassentvoting ADVANCE ELECTOR REGISTRATION processes,pleasevisit dnv.org/election-2018 or contact: Areyou eligible to vote in theOctoberelections for Mayor, Councillorsand JamesGordon, ChiefElectionOfficer 604-990-2207 SchoolTrustees? Areyou eligible to vote in thenon-bindingassentvoting in LindaBrick,DeputyChief Election Officer604-990-2212 theDistrictofNorth Vancouver? Is your name on thecurrent list of electors? If youare notsureyou canfindout by calling604-990-2211orvisitingthe Districtof Forfurther informationoncampaign period expense limitsand third party North Vancouver Municipal Hall,355 West QueensRoad, North Vancouver,BC. The advertisinglimits,pleasecontact ElectionsBC: office is open from 8amto4:30pm, MondaytoFriday(excludingstatutory holidays Toll-freephone:1-855-952-0280 andweekends). Email:[email protected] Advance elector registrationswill be accepted at theDistrictofNorth Vancouver’s Website: www.elections.bc.ca/lecf Clerk’sOfficeuntil August28, 2018.Elector registrationswill notbeaccepted during theperiodAugust29, 2018 to October21, 2018,but will be accepted on votingdays.
DNV.org/election-2018 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 north shore news nsnews.com HOME AND GARDEN | A15 LocalGovernment Election
DISTRICTOFWESTVANCOUVER & WEST VANCOUVERSCHOOLS (SCHOOLDISTRICT45) Public Notice: NoticeofNomination Public notice is given to the electors of the District of West Vancouver and West Vancouver Schools*(School District 45) that an election will be held on Saturday,October20, 2018. Nominations forthe offices of: •Mayor one to be elected •Councillor six to be elected •School Trustee fivetobeelected forafour-year term,will be received by the ChiefElection OfficerorDeputy ChiefElection Officerasfollows: WHEN: September 4at9a.m.–September 14, 2018 at 4p.m. during regular Shells, baubles and mini lights can go a long way in channelling a relaxed beach vibe for your officehours (Monday–Friday, 8a.m.–4:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays) seasonal tabletop. PHOTO MIKE WAKEFIELD WHERE: MunicipalHall,LegislativeServices Second Floor -750 17th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3 Topple boring tables HOW: Nomination documents maybedelivered: by hand;bymailorby otherdelivery service; or by faxoremail, with originals to follow. Thedeadline forreceivingoriginals of nomination documents is with summer vibes September 21, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. Nomination documents areavailable in LegislativeServices at MunicipalHall BARB LUNTER your guests’ arrival. you would like to go the extra contributing writer during regular officehoursthroughout the nomination period (September 4at9a.m. mile, paint your small terra –September 14, 2018 at 4p.m.) and arealso posted on election.westvancouver.ca. Fruit & Greens cotta pots white and then Styling a relaxed summer I love the look of fresh add your fresh herbs. A small, *Includes: District of West Vancouver; BowenIslandMunicipality; VillageofLions table is easy if you take a greens when they are com- hand-written label for each Bay; and partofMetro Vancouver Electoral Area A little time to prepare. bined with colourful fruits herb is always a nice idea. Channel a relaxed, beach such as lemons, limes and Give them to your guests vibe with one of the table set- oranges. Use greens such as when the evening is over. QUALIFICATIONS FOROFFICE ting ideas below. Each one is salal or hosta leaves. Wash Aperson is qualified to be nominated, electedand to hold officeasamember of sure to inspire even the most them thoroughly and place Tin Cans & Succulents localgovernment if theymeetthe following criteria: skeptical guest. them along the centre of your This is an easy idea that table. Scatter your fruit in you can assemble minutes •CanadianCitizen; and Shells, Baubles and Mini and amongst the greens and before your guests arrive. The •18yearsofage or olderongeneral voting day(October 20,2018); and Lights add small tea lights in glass day before your party simply •resident of British Columbia foratleastsix months immediately beforethe I saw this idea at a friend’s votives for added effect. purchase four or five small daynomination papersare filed;and dinner party and thought succulents and plant them it was so pretty. A simple Beach Party inside small tin cans. •not disqualified under the LocalGovernment Act or anyotherenactment large mason jar is filled Plastic coloured pails com- You can find small tin from beingnominated for, beingelectedtoorholding office, or be one-third with sand and set bined with small, summer buckets at some craft stores otherwisedisqualified by law. aside. Purchase two or three plants provide a festive look or use recycled tin cans strands of white LED micro on an outdoor summer beach from your recycle bin. Soak battery lights and place the party table. Pick up a few of the cans in warm water to CAMPAIGN PERIODEXPENSE LIMITS necessary batteries inside these inexpensive buckets remove the labels. Scatter tea In accordancewith the LocalElections CampaignFinancing Act,for the 2018 each strand. Insert the light from your local dollar store. lights among the cans and general localelections, the following expense limitsfor candidates during the strand into the mason jar. Fill them with some potting down the table. campaignperiod apply: Add some colourful, shiny soil and add a colourful plant baubles or glass balls and a such as a begonia or lavender. Barb Lunter is a freelance Mayor $30,841.10 Councillor $15,564.56 School Trustee $18,037.52 few small shells. Hide the bat- Don’t forget to add your plas- writer with a passion for home tery compartment inside the tic shovel once you are done. decor, entertaining and floral back of the jar. Place these design. She also runs Blu THIRD PARTYADVERTISING LIMITS jars on side tables, console Herb Pots Dog Staging & Redesign. You In accordancewith the LocalElections CampaignFinancing Act,for the 2018 tables or along the centre of Nothing looks cuter than can find more information at general localelections, the following thirdparty advertisinglimitsapply: your dining table. small, herb pots placed along bludogstagingandredesign. Illuminate the jars prior to the centre of a dining table. If com. Mayorand Councillor $1,542.06 School Trustee $901.88 Forfurther information on campaignperiod expense limitsand thirdparty advertisinglimits, contact ElectionsBC: 1-855-952-0280 |[email protected]|elections.bc.ca/lecf Trailway ELECTIONINFORMATIONMEETING September 5, 2018 at 6p.m. 4Bike Rack MunicipalHall, RavenRoom 75017th Street, West Vancouver BC •Carries up to 4bikes •Fits 1.25” &2”hitches •Arms fold down MORE INFORMATION •Rack tilts away for easy hatch access Visit election.westvancouver.ca or contact the election office. •Compareat$319.99 MarkBrown Kelly Wharton 95 ChiefElection Officer DeputyChiefElection Officer $249 604-925-7048 604-925-7048 [email protected] [email protected]
WE SELL
324 East Esplanade, NVan Ends Aug 31, 2018 HITCHES 604.987.7474 Rack not exactly as shown A10 | nsnews.com north shore news WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018
NOTICE OF ADVANCE ELECTOR REGISTRATION AND MAIL BALLOT VOTING CITY OF NORTH VANCOUVER
ADVANCED ELECTOR REGISTRATION: Are you eligible to vote at the October 20, 2018 General Local Government election in the City of North Vancouver? Is your name on the current list of electors? You can find out by calling604 ( 990 4234 or 604 990 4233)orvisiting the City Clerk’s Department at City Hall (141 W14th St), between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (excludingstatutory holidays). Advance elector registrations will be accepted at the City Clerk’s Department, City of North Vancouver, until August 28, 2018 and will NOT be accepted during the period August 29 to October 19, 2018.Ifanelector’s name is not on the list by August 28, 2018,electors can still register to vote at any of the advance voting opportunities, on General Voting Day, and for mail ballot voting.
ELECTOR QUALIFICATIONS LIST OF REGISTERED ELECTORS: RESIDENT ELECTORS: Commencing August29, 2018 until the close of general voting for the election on October 20, 2018,acopy of the list of registered electors •age 18 or older on General Voting Day; will, upon signature,beavailable for inspection, at City Hall (City Clerk’s •aCanadian citizen; Department) between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, (excluding •aresidentofBCfor at least six monthsimmediately before the statutory holidays).Under Section 63 of the Local Government Act, an day of registration; elector may request that his or her personalinformation be omitted •aresidentofthe City of North Vancouver for at least 30 days from, or obscured, on the list of registered electorsinorder to protect immediately before the day of registration; and personal privacy or security. •not disqualified by any enactmentfrom votinginanelection or otherwise disqualified by law. OBJECTION TO REGISTRATION OF AN ELECTOR: NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS: An objection to the registration of apersonwhose name appearson the list of registeredelectors may be made in accordance with the Local •age 18 or older; Government Act until September 14, 2018 at 4pm.Anobjection must •aCanadian citizen; be in writing and may only be made by aperson entitledtoberegistered •aresidentofBCfor at least six months immediately before the day as an elector of the City of North Vancouver and can only be made on of registration; the basis that the person whose name appearsisdeceased or is not •aregistered owner of real property in the City of North Vancouver qualified to be registeredasanelector of the City of North Vancouver. for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration; •not entitled to register as aresidentelector; •not disqualified by any enactmentfrom votinginanelectionor MAIL BALLOT VOTING: otherwise disqualified by law; and Electors can vote by mail if they: •ifthere is more than one registered owner of the property, only •have aphysical disability,illness or injury that affects their ability to one of those individuals may, with the written consentofthe vote in person,or majority of the owners, register as anon-residentproperty •expect to be absent from the City on General Voting Day and during elector. all advance voting opportunities. NOTE: Anon-resident property elector must provide proof of ownership at the time of registration. Aproperty tax notice, assessment notice The mail ballot procedure is as follows: or certificate of title issued by the BC Land Title Office are acceptable 1. Complete aMail Ballot Voting application form onlinethrough the proof of ownership. City’sElection 2018webpage at cnv.org/Election or by calling 604 985 7761. For clarification, landed immigrants who have not yet become Canadian citizens are not entitled to vote. Also, corporations or 2. Mail ballot packageswill be mailed after October 1, 2018. businesses are not entitled to be registered as electors or have arepresentative registered as an elector, and corporations or 3. Complete the ballot and required certification and return all businesses are not entitled to vote. documents to the ChiefElection Officer before 8pm on October 20, 2018.Itisthe responsibility of the elector to ensure that the ballotsare returned before the deadline.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Karla Graham Jennifer Ficocelli [email protected] Chief Election Officer DeputyChief Election Officer T. 604.990.4234 T. 604.990.4233 [email protected] [email protected] WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018 north shore news nsnews.com | A17 Local Government Election
DISTRICTOFWESTVANCOUVER &WESTVANCOUVER SCHOOLS (SCHOOL DISTRICT45) Public Notice: List of Registered Electors
TheDistrict of West Vancouver uses the ProvinceofBritish Columbia Therequirements forelectorsvoting forSchool Trustees arethe same Voters List as the List of Registered Electors(List). If your name is not as those forresident and non-resident property electorsabove,except on the current List, and youare an eligible elector,you mayregister and that the elector must be aresident or the registered owner of real vote at one of the advancevoting opportunities or on general voting day property in School District 45 (District of West Vancouver,BowenIsland (October 20,2018) by completing an Application forRegistration form and Municipality, VillageofLions Bay, and MetroVancouver Electoral Area A) providing twopieces of appropriateidentification. Registration in advance foratleast 30 days immediately beforethe dayofregistration. of the election is not required. School District 45 electorsinBowenIsland Municipality, Beginning September 4, 2018, until the close of general voting forthe VillageofLions Bayand MetroVancouver Electoral Area A election on October 20,2018, acopyofthe List will be available for BowenIsland Municipalityand the VillageofLions Bayare included public inspection at Municipal Hall, LegislativeServices, during regular within the boundaries of School District 45. BowenIsland Municipality officehours (Monday–Friday, 8a.m.–4:30 p.m., excluding statutory holidays). and the VillageofLions Bayhaveadopted the Provincial Voters List as Beforeinspecting the List, aperson must sign astatement that theywill their List of Registered Electors. Objections to the List should be made to not inspect the List or use the information included in the List except for the Chief Election Officersofthose municipalities. Registration foreligible election purposes (LocalGovernment Act, Part 3–Electorsand Elections). School District 45 electorswho reside or ownproperty on BowenIsland and in Lions Bayand who maynot be on the List will be possible at the REQUESTTOOMIT PERSONAL INFORMATION voting opportunities in each municipality. TheList will, upon signature, be An elector mayrequest that their addressorother information about available forpublic inspection at each municipality’smunicipal halls. For them be omitted from or obscured on the List in order to protect their moreinformation contact BowenIsland Municipalityat604-947-4255, privacy or security. Written requests must be received by 4:30 p.m. on and VillageofLions Bayat604-921-9333. August 28, 2018, by the Chief Election Officer at Municipal Hall, 750 17th Street, West Vancouver BC V7V 3T3. Part of MetroVancouver Electoral Area Aisincluded within the boundaries of School District 45. MetroVancouver is the local OBJECTION TO REGISTRATION OF AN ELECTOR government forElectoral Area A. Electoral Area Aincludes those areas of Howe Sound that arenot within amunicipal corporation: lands along An objection to the registration of aperson whose name appearsonthe Howe Sound located between the District of West Vancouver and List maybemade in accordancewith the Local Government Actuntil 4p.m. the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, including the communities of on September 14, 2018. An objection must be made in writing and may MontizambertWynd, Ocean Point and Strachan Point; Bowyer and only be made by aperson entitled to be registered as an elector of the PassageIslands; and the Grebe Islets. Bowyer and PassageIslands and District of West Vancouver and can only be made on the basis that the Grebe Islets arealso partofthe Gambier Island Local Trust Area. aperson whose name appearsonthe List has died or that aperson Electorswho reside or ownproperty within MetroVancouver Electoral whose name appearsonthe List is not qualified to be registered as an Area Aareas that arepartofSchool District 45 will be required to elector of the District of West Vancouver. register in accordancewith MetroVancouver procedures on voting ELECTOR QUALIFICATIONS day. Formoreinformation contact the Chief Election Officer forMetro Vancouver Electoral Area Aat604-432-6338, and the Chief Election Resident electors: Officer forGambier Island Local Trust Area at 604-885-6825. •18yearsofage or older on general voting dayfor the election; and •aCanadian citizen; and •aresident of British Columbia foratleast six months immediately ELECTION INFORMATION MEETING beforethe dayofregistration; and An information meeting will be held forprospectivecandidates and any •aresident of the District of West Vancouver foratleast 30 days interested persons as follows: immediately beforethe dayofregistration; and September 5, 2018 at 6p.m. •not disqualified under the LocalGovernment Act or anyother enactment from voting in an election and not otherwise disqualified by law Municipal Hall, RavenRoom 75017th Street, West Vancouver BC Non-resident property electors: •18yearsofage or older on general voting dayfor the election; and •aCanadian citizen; and MORE INFORMATION •aresident of British Columbia foratleast six months immediately Visit election.westvancouver.ca or contact the election office. beforethe dayofregistration; and Mark Brown Kelly Wharton •aregistered owner of real property in the District of West Vancouver Chief Election Officer DeputyChief Election Officer foratleast 30 days immediately beforethe dayofregistration; and 604-925-7048 604-925-7048 •not entitled to register as aresident elector; and [email protected] [email protected] •not disqualified under the LocalGovernment Act or anyother enactment from voting in an election and not otherwise disqualified by law; and •ifthereismorethan one registered owner of the property,only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majorityofthe owners, register as anon-resident property elector A30 | NEIGHBOURHOODS nsnews.com north shore news FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018 COMMUNITYBULLETINBOARD Email information for your North Shore event to [email protected].
FIREFIGHTERS CHARITY 7-9 p.m. Schedule: Aug. 10, prevention during two separate FISHING DERBY The District Platform Soul (disco funk); Aug. free women-only workshops of North Vancouver Firefighters 17, The Fab Fourever (Beatles Thursday, Aug. 16, and Tuesday Charitable Society hosts its tribute); and Aug. 24, Mazacote Aug. 21, 6-8 p.m. in the back 7th annual derby Friday, Sept. (Latin dance). parking lot of the North Shore 21 at the boat launch of Lions AMBLESIDE ORCHESTRA Women’s Centre, 131 East 2nd St., Gate Marina and fishing off the rehearses Wednesdays, 3:30- North Vancouver. Register at: mouth of the Capilano River. 5:30 p.m. at Highlands United northshorewomen.ca. There is a limit of 150 tickets Church, 3255 Edgemont Blvd., BEN’S BIG LEMONADE AND at a cost of $80 before Sept. North Vancouver. Intermediate BAKE SALE Homemade 10 and $100 after. Purchase to advanced string players baking, lemonade and more tickets at Highwater Tackle, 201 needed. Woodwind and will be for sale Saturday, Aug. Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver. brass players by invitation. 18, 1-4 p.m. at 1960 Rufus Dr., Admission includes boat launch, amblesideorhcestra.ca North Vancouver. All donations a T-shirt and a hamburger. All HARMONY ARTS FESTIVAL go to the Team Finn Foundation participants must have a derby The 28th annual festival will which supports kids with cancer. ticket, fishing licence with a take place until Aug. 12 along teamfinn.com salmon stamp and abide by West Vancouver’s waterfront SALSA DANCING AT DFO regulations. Proceeds on Argyle Avenue between 14th LONSDALE QUAY Friday go to the Seymour Salmon and 16th Streets. The festival nights 5:30-7:30 p.m. until Aug. Society and Athletics for Kids. includes music, cinema, art, food 31 at the Waterfront Plaza [email protected] and kids’ activities. Schedule of outside Lonsdale Quay, North TRAIL TALES An outdoor events: harmonyarts.ca. Vancouver will be sizzling with reading adventure where pages SHIPPED WATERFRONT dance. Salsa Studio hosts a of a story are posted throughout FESTIVALA free-of-charge fun, easy dance experience the park and trails Thursday, community waterfront music where participants will learn Aug. 23, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at festival for every age featuring the foundations of salsa in Eldon Park, North Vancouver. four stages, kids activity zone, a two-hour lesson. Sessions A children’s librarian will walk zip line, artisan market and are weather permitting and families through the interactive beverage garden Saturday, Aug. participation is by donation. literacy experience or it can 11 from noon to 10 p.m. at The POLISH FESTIVALThis special HIGHER GROUND Grouse Mountain will help their guests achieve a natural high starting be done on your own. More Shipyards and Lonsdale Quay celebration of 100 years of on Saturday with the opening of an aerial ropes course. After stepping off the platform, guests information available at nvdpl. at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue, Poland regaining independence will encounter a variety of suspended elements, including bridges, ziplines, ladders and nets, on ca/search/node/trail%20tales. North Vancouver. cnv.org takes place Saturday, Sept. 9, a journey through the tree canopies. Grouse worked with Treetop Trekking, a Canadian company EDGEMONT VILLAGE 1-9 p.m. at Shipbuilders Square that builds and operates adventure parks, to create their Mountain Ropes Adventure, which CONCERT STAGE WOMEN WITH DRIVE– and the Pipe Shop at the foot of consists of four courses with varying degrees of difficulty. The highest element can be found in the 3000-block Edgemont Blvd., KNOW YOUR CARLeah Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver. expert course, where guests are suspended 10 metres off the ground. Mountain Ropes Adventure North Vancouver. of Leah’s Automotive will Enjoy games, arts and crafts, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with departures every 20 minutes. Bookings are made through Live & Local Concerts: An teach participants basic auto traditional food, puppet theatre, the website at grousemountain.com/mountain-ropes-adventure at a cost of $39 per person, plus outdoor summer concert series maintenance, repair tips, top 10 warning signs and dance displays, music and more. general mountain admission. PHOTO SUPPLIED GROUSE MOUNTAIN with music and dancing Fridays,
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Jeremy Shepherd / North Shore News
July 19, 2018 06:20 PM
The new North Vancouver museum is approximately $550,000 away from making the past come alive. The project may exceed it $5.55 million budget, owing largely to trade tariffs and rising construction costs, according to the museum's director. image supplied
The excavation is complete and North Vancouver’s new museum is already in a hole.
Located on the 100 block of West Esplanade, the new museum is set to feature a restored streetcar and exhibits that unearth North Van’s Indigenous history and chronicle its transformative logging boom. But in order to make that history come alive, the museum’s $5.5-million budget needs to grow by about $550,000, according to museum director Nancy Kirkpatrick.
“It may not be possible” to deliver the museum – set to open in early 2020 – without that infusion of cash, Kirkpatrick explained to council Monday.
With construction costs set to rise by as much as one per cent each month, the museum’s budget is being gobbled up by both a skilled labour shortage and uncertainties around trade relations between Canada and the United States, according to Kirkpatrick’s report.
“The Trumpster down in Washington has certainly not helped us with respect to the price of wood,” Coun. Rod Clark said. “I know construction (costs) are going up dramatically.” Noting the museum has yet to receive its final cost estimate, Clark called the potential overrun “frightening.” Density may be the best way to ease that fright, according to Coun. Pam Bookham.
The museum is set to be on the first floor of Polygon Homes’ 14-storey condo project. A possible solution might be “adding a floor or two” to the development, Bookham said. “We know what’s happening in terms of tariffs and how that’s impacting projects like this. If we want to have a good project we need to find the wherewithal to ensure that it can be delivered. . . . We need to get behind this project.”
While there has yet to be any discussion about turning Polygon’s midrise into a highrise, city staff said the developer council submit a revised application subject to public consultation and council’s support.
Polygon would explore changes at the city’s request, according to company president Neil Chrystal. However, adding a floor or two to a building already under construction could mean logistical challenges relating to parking and building height.
“I’d have to move everybody up two floors; they’d probably be very happy with that,” he said. “If asked, we’d certainly look at it, but I think it might be a little late in the process.”
As council’s representative on the museum commission, Coun. Don Bell suggested the new budget was “reasonable under the circumstances.”
Less enthused was Coun. Craig Keating.
Council voted unanimously for the museum in 2016 under the agreement the federal government would contribute $3 million and the city would pay $2.5 million. However, Keating sounded concern about the museum’s financial feasibility two years ago, suggesting the city craft a “Plan B” in case the project went awry.
While Keating voted to hear a future request for more funding, he emphasized that his vote on Monday was “without prejudice.”
“I don’t want anybody to read into my affirmative vote on this that it in any way it endorses that as a financial path forward,” he said.
The initial budget included a $490,000 contingency fund, $100,000 of which is no longer available, according to city staff.
In order to get as much value for dollar as possible, Kirkpatrick pointed to $400,000 in savings achieved by using less ornate finishes and cheaper materials.
The new $6.1-million budget includes several items – a new reception counter, audio-video equipment, a security system and moveable walls – that were excluded from the previous budget. To cover some of those costs the museum is in the midst of a campaign to raise $2.5 million, according to Kirkpatrick. Following a more subdued approach of seeking gifts from private donors in 2018, the campaign is expected to go public in 2019.
Council is slated to discuss paying extra costs for the museum in September, following a comprehensive budget estimate in the summer.
Couns. Linda Buchanan and Holly Back – both of whom refrained from making comments on Monday – previously expressed concerns about the museum becoming a financial burden on the city.
No charges in death of North Vancouver man killed in crash
Brent Richter / North Shore News
July 23, 2018 04:38 PM
Floral tributes mark the site of a fatal collision at St. Andrews Avenue and East Second Street. The 55-year-old cyclist, identified as Brian Hughes of North Vancouver, died at the scene. file photo Cindy Goodman, North Shore News
North Vancouver RCMP say there will be no charges in a fatal collision between a cyclist and a dump truck driver.
On June 1, Brian Hughes was riding south on St. Andrews Avenue when he collided with a northbound dump truck near Second Street, killing the 55-year-old. Police, however, are not saying exactly what led to the crash. “They looked at all the elements of the collision and they’re confident that there’s not going to be any charges laid,” said Sgt. Doug Trousdell, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman. “The dump truck driver is not at fault.” related
North Vancouver cyclist killed in crash identified
Both drivers and cyclists should be alert and sharing the road responsibly, Trousdell added.
HUB Cycling spokesman Tony Valente said the case underscores why the group lobbies for better infrastructure.
“No matter what happened there, as a result of that investigation, the point is somebody died on their bike,” he said. “Whoever was in the right, whoever was in the wrong, we get too much into that. At the end of the day, what matters is we don’t want our friends and family to be dying so we need to build better infrastructure.”
The same goes for public education, which HUB is active in, Valente added.
North Van Airbnb host fined thousands for operating illegal hostel
Brent Richter / North Shore News
July 26, 2018 04:31 PM
Maeve Chamberlaine and Erin Wasney say they and their neighbours are exasperated after two years trying to shut down an 15-bed hostel within their townhouse complex. photo Kevin Hill, North Shore News A Central Lonsdale Airbnb host, who sometimes welcomes more than a dozen guests per night in her three- bedroom townhouse has been ordered to pay thousands of dollars in fines to her strata and shut down her illegal hostel. But, according to residents at The Beeches townhouse complex on West 13th Street, Emily Yu is still bringing in dozens of guests, and the city has been slow to react to their complaints. related EDITORIAL: Bylaws be bygones Yu has been advertising her “Oasis Hostel” – just a block away from City of North Vancouver municipal hall – since 2016 on a number of short-term rental websites, including Airbnb, Hostel World and Booking.com. “It’s a nightmare. It’s just leaving us all really frayed,” said Maeve Chamberlaine, one of Yu’s neighbours. Ads show up to 15 beds in makeshift dorms in the bedrooms and common areas of the house. Chamberlaine has been keeping a running log of all the sleep disturbances, altercations among guests, visits from the RCMP and instances of drinking and drug use on the patio. Erin Wasney, also a townhouse resident, said it has made life in the complex stressful. “We’re obviously concerned about the strangers – the sheer volume of weird people that are coming into the complex,” she said. “We’re concerned with obviously the other safety implications. You put 16 beds in a townhouse, you block fire exits, you’ve got an unsafe number of occupants. We’re worried about fire hazards. We’re worried about her insurance coverage.” Chamberlaine said her concerns don’t just come from the strangers passing through her complex but also from the critters they may unknowingly bring with them. “I’m pretty concerned about bedbugs because they can travel through walls,” she said.
Residents have been trying to shut down hostel for years
The Beeches strata council took the matter to the civil resolution tribunal and in September 2017, Yu was ordered to shut down her short-term rental business and pay $4,600 in related fines to her strata, court documents show. Yu petitioned the B.C. Supreme Court to have the fines tossed out. In her petition she argued that a series of vehicle crashes since 2011 had left her with brain injuries and unable to work, and that having guests provided her with a livelihood and company. “At no time and in no way did (Yu) every knowingly or unknowingly disrupt, interfere with or be a nuisance to her fellow strata members and neighbours,” her claim stated. The strata and its members infringed on Yu’s human rights, her claim went on, because she was targeted for discriminatory acts based on her race, marital status, mental disability, and lawful source of income. The Strata Property Act does allow people to rent out their suites, even if strata bylaws disallow it, if they can demonstrate hardship, her petition noted. Yu did not dispute that she’d been using her townhouse as a hostel in her petition, but instead argued it was an allowable use of her property. All of those claims were rejected in May by the courts, though. Because of the $25,000 in legal bills strata members have incurred, the strata council has had to raise residents’ monthly fees and put off maintenance, Chamberlaine said. “Our strata lawyer has said in order to try to enforce this, it’s likely another $25,000 in legal fees,” she said. “It’s just ludicrous it’s going to cost us $50,000 to try to get any resolution.” The neighbours have taken their concerns to the short-term rental sites, including Booking.com and Airbnb, which has resulted in the listing being removed – although for Airbnb, at the time it was only temporary. “Airbnb is like a vault. You can’t reach a human. They don’t care. Their response is ‘Have you tried talking to your neighbour?’” Chamberlaine said. Residents have spent more than two years attempting to shut down the hostel through their own strata bylaws, the city’s bylaws and through the courts to no avail. “It is completely illegal and wrong and nobody is doing anything about it, and we are trying so hard and our council is trying and nobody will help us,” Wasney said. “In my mind, if there is an illegal business operating, I would expect the city has the capacity to shut it down.”
Dealing with host has been 'challenging,' say city staff
The city does allow short-term rentals, providing the owner lives full time in the home being rented and there are never more than two boarders at any given time. Since complaints first started coming in in August 2016, the city and its bylaw staff have made numerous visits to the hostel. Dealing with Yu has been “challenging,” notes a city staff report made public in March. “In fact, the apparent pattern to Ms. Yu’s behaviour is to verbally express a willingness to comply when speaking with staff and then take actions in her property that contradict her verbal promises and result in worsening the non-compliance,” the report stated. After an inspection in March 2017, bylaw officers ordered Yu to remove a sofa bed she’d been renting out in her basement. When staff came back the next month, they found Yu had replaced it with bunk beds, bringing the total number of beds in the townhouse to 15. The letter sent to Yu afterward read “You are required to IMMEDIATELY CEASE AND DESIST the tourist accommodation use and the use of the basement level as a habitable room.” The bunk beds were later removed when staff returned in August but a number of other problems remained. “The basement exit stair and landing to the parking garage was filled with furniture and a number of boxed vending machines (from floor to ceiling) making the exit impassable and creating a significant safety concern for Ms. Yu’s townhouse occupants, including herself,” the report stated.
A screengrab from a since removed Airbnb posting shows an ad for a room in Central Lonsdale. Emily Yu has been ordered to pay thousands of dollars in fines to her strata and shut down her illegal hostel - screengrab airbnb.com Based on Yu’s rates advertised online, city staff estimate she brings in $70,917 to $212,752 per year, depending on the number of guests she has. She also charges guests a $25 cleaning fee not included in the city’s estimates. “Normally, the city is not concerned with a resident’s revenue. However, in this situation, staff raise the revenue issue because the revenue is being generated at the expense of the quality of life of the other residents in Ms. Yu’s townhouse complex, and at the expense of the safety of the public staying in her townhouse. Furthermore, Ms. Yu continues to (flout) the city’s land use regulations.” When it comes to hundreds of other short-term rentals that are not permitted but clearly listed online, most receive an education letter from the city, which resolves the matter, according to city staff. Getting into actual enforcement is more of a challenge, according to city spokeswoman Stacy Wilson. “Listing a property for short-term rental does not in itself contravene any city bylaw or regulation, and it is difficult without unit entry and inspections to obtain sufficient evidence to pursue enforcement action,” she said in an emailed statement in May. As for the townhouse residents’ complaints of inaction on the city’s part, Wilson said the city disputes that. “We are dealing in many instances with residents’ principal residences, so care must be taken to respect privacy issues. The city is pursuing enforcement action, and that action has been reasonable and progressive,” she said. Starting in November, strata councils will be given the power to issue fines of up to $1,000 per day for owners who violate bylaws related to short-term rentals, up from the current $200 per week. As of today though, Yu has yet to pay any of the fines already levied against her, although the strata has secured a lien against her home.
'Our guests are people like you and me': host In an interview this Thursday, Yu said she has never had 20 guests in her home and the civil resolution tribunal’s ruling against her was based on a lot of misinformation. Most nights, Yu said she averages five people in her home, including herself. “I’m not going to pay the fine because they’re not supposed to ask me for a fine. I am grandfathered in, even after they changed the bylaw,” she said. “I was operating the services for 10 years before they changed the bylaw.” Yu maintains she is also fully compliant with the city’s bylaws, which she interprets to mean she is allowed to rent out two bedrooms, not specifying how many beds are in them, in addition to having two boarders. Yu said she understands there are concerns but her hostel should be viewed as a public service, not a problem. “Our guests are people like you and me. They are brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, fathers, mothers, friends and families. Our neighbours should embrace our guests as a part of the community, not reject them as a part of the community,” she said. Her guests come and go from her door only and she ensures they are quiet after 10 p.m., Yu said. “(My neighbours) just created this thing in their minds to try to create a case that’s going to be a problem. In fact, there is no problem,” she said. Yu said she has no intentions to stop bringing in short-term guests and she plans to continue fighting the matter in the courts. “I want to continue working within the legal system to obtain my right as a Canadian citizen of self-expression, to live the life I want, not live the life my neighbours want,” she said. Yu said she has been treated badly by other strata members who yell at her and her guests and send threatening emails. Oasis guest Bradley Winter and his brother have been paying $1,400 a month for the basement accommodations for the last two months. “As far as the home is concerned, I’ve enjoyed the people I’ve met. (Emily) bends over backwards to work things out for me and my brother, that’s for sure,” he said. Winter said he wasn’t aware of the court ruling but he worries about the hostel shutting down. “It would be putting my brother and I in a very difficult position,” he said, noting his brother is on the BC Housing wait-list. “I just couldn’t live with myself if he went without a home.” Winter said he’s heard maybe one or two complaints, but those were about Yu’s dogs barking. In response to an interview request, Airbnb Canada sent a statement saying hosts must comply with local laws. “We have suspended the host in question while we investigate this case further,” the statement read. North Vancouver driver sentenced in death of cyclist
Brent Richter / North Shore News
July 27, 2018 05:07 PM
Floral tributes surround a “ghost bike” memorial on Shavington Street for a cyclist killed in a nearby collision, in this image taken days after the July 2017 crash. file photo Kevin Hill, North Shore News
A North Vancouver driver who struck and killed a cyclist on Keith Road a year ago has been fined and received a driving ban.
Rhys Howie, 33, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention for his role in the death of Lukas Drake, on July 30, 2017. He was handed a $1,500 fine and one-year driving ban at his sentencing on Thursday. related
UPDATED: Driver hits and kills cyclist on Keith Road North Vancouver driver charged in fatal crash with cyclist
Drake, 41, was riding east, down the hill on Keith Road when Howie, who was coming in the opposite direction, turned “as if it was a last-minute decision” in front of him at Shavington Street. Drake struck the passenger side of the car, according to a witness statement.
“Due to catastrophic head and internal injuries suffered by Mr. Drake, he was pronounced dead at the scene,” Crown prosecutor Jean McPherson told the court. “Both windows were shattered and pieces of Mr. Drake’s bicycle helmet were embedded in the door of the vehicle.”
Howie was in tears following the crash while he and other witnesses waited for police and ambulance to arrive. Glare from the setting sun in Howie’s eyes was a contributing factor, the Crown said. But, McPherson added, that meant Howie should have shown a higher level of care and attention, which he failed to do.
“It is a sobering reminder that driving is an inherently dangerous activity,” McPherson said.
Drake’s widow Sheryl was too emotionally distraught to make a victim impact statement in the courtroom, although the Crown did read out a letter from her on her behalf.
Drake was planning to ride his road bike up all three North Shore Mountains in one day. He had already completed Hollyburn and Grouse and was on his way to Seymour when he was killed, Sheryl wrote in her letter.
The two had been married for six years and were planning to start a family and a business together. Drake’s death has impacted her emotionally, physically and financially in ways she may not recover from, she added.
“Now all our future plans are suddenly gone. Nothing to look forward to – a life with my husband, a life until we get old, a family together that we’ve always wanted and were excited about. I’m scared, clueless and uncertain about what’s going to happen to my life,” Sheryl said in her letter.
Since Drake’s death, Howie has suffered from depression, difficulty sleeping, feelings of guilt, and nightmares, his lawyer David Forsyth said.
Instead of a driving ban, Forsyth argued Howie be fined and sentenced to community service. Because of poor transit options, Howie drives to and from his late-night shifts as a supervisor at a grocery store at UBC.
“Anything your honour does here today, it won’t be enough in the eyes of most,” Forsyth said.
But compared to other cases in which someone was sentenced for driving without due care and attention resulting in death, Howie’s “moral culpability was at the lowest possible end of the spectrum,” Forsyth added.
Judge Gurmail Gill said Howie will carry the burden of his “momentary lapse” likely for the rest of his life; however, taking Howie’s licence for one year would send the appropriate message.
“One cannot put into words the impact a loss of life under these types of circumstances has on friends and family. … The purpose of my sentence today is not one to extract vengeance or in any way compensate for the loss that has resulted,” he said. “The public must know the consequences of even inadvertent negligence resulting in the loss of life will carry with it at least a risk of losing driving privileges so as to ensure that those members of the public take greater care in exercising the vigilance required that is associated to those driving privileges.”
North Vancouver residents irked by ride hailing delay
Jane Seyd / North Shore News August 3, 2018 07:00 AM North Vancouver Seymour MLA Jane Thornthwaite says it's frustrating that it's taking so long to allow ride hailing in B.C. photo Lisa King, North Shore News Frustrated North Shore travellers say they’re upset the B.C. government appears to be in the slow lane on allowing ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft to operate in the province. Comments from local commuters come after news that it will be at least a year before ride hailing will come to B.C.
Related EDITORIAL: Stuck in neutral Transportation Minister Claire Trevena announced in July that the government plans to increase the number of taxis in B.C. by 15 per cent – including 300 taxis in the Lower Mainland. But ride hailing appears to be stuck in traffic. Those services likely won’t come to B.C. until the fall of 2019 at the earliest, the government indicated. That’s not soon enough for the North Shore, said North Vancouver-Seymour Liberal MLA Jane Thornthwaite. “We absolutely need to get (ride hailing) in B.C.,” said Thornthwaite, adding she’s been advocating for companies like Uber and Lyft to be allowed to operate in the province for years. “I was extremely disappointed to hear they were going to put it off for a year,” she said. Thornthwaite said the North Shore, in particular, needs an alternative service because it is ill served by both public transit and the current taxi companies. Thornthwaite said residents tell her it’s impossible to get a cab during busy times – a situation she’s personally experienced. “They tell you they’re just around the corner and they don’t show up,” she said. “I’ve missed a flight to Victoria because of being promised a cab that didn’t show up.” Thornthwaite said she’s heard frequently of instances where North Shore residents can’t get a cab to take them home from downtown Vancouver. Leah Hanvey is a North Vancouver woman who’s fed up with the lack of ride hailing in the province. On Sunday afternoon, Hanvey said she tried to get a Black Top cab that had just dropped off a passenger at Lonsdale Quay to take her to Delbrook, but was refused by the driver. In contrast, when she lived in Ottawa, “Uber was everywhere,” she said. That service is “just so much more convenient,” she said. Jordan Back is another North Vancouver resident who’d like to see ride hailing sooner rather than later. “I called on a Friday evening to get a cab,” he said. Back said he was put on hold for 20 minutes then told a cab would arrive in 45 minutes. But it never showed up. “I called back only to be told the driver had somehow cancelled the ride and I wasn’t notified.” In contrast, Back said he’s used Uber and Lyft in New York and Palm Desert where the service was easy and convenient. Uber won't be coming to B.C. until next fall at the earliest, the B.C. government has indicated. - Lisa King photo North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Bowinn Ma defended the government’s approach in a lengthy discussion on her Facebook page. The local NDP MLA declined to comment directly, however, referring all questions to Trevena. In an interview with the North Shore News, Trevena said the government is working on ride hailing but the changes needed to make it legal are complicated. “If one of the (ride hailing) companies wanted to come to B.C. now and follow the rules we have now, they could,” she said. Currently, however, that would require ride-hailing companies to operate like taxis, in commercially registered vehicles that abide by rules about how much to charge passengers. “They choose not to,” said Trevena. One key issue is coming up with an insurance scheme that would allow transport of passengers in private vehicles – something ICBC will work on over the next year, she said. “What has to come first is people’s safety,” she said. In the interim, Trevena said increasing the number of taxis on the road should ease some of the frustrations being voiced. But critics have voiced skepticism that the heavily regulated taxi industry will be able to fill demand and questioned the need for government to control how many taxis are on the road. “I think they’re dragging their heels solely for political purposes,” said Thornthwaite, whose own government also did not change regulations to allow ride hailing while the Liberals were in power. Thornthwaite said the issue comes down to lobbying by the taxi industry in several key swing ridings in Surrey. “There’s a lot of people connected to the taxi industry in a lot of those ridings,” she said. Further clouding the debate are recent studies showing that in cities where ride hailing has been introduced, the number of cars on the road has increased, adding to congestion and discouraging use of public transit. But Thornthwaite said that argument doesn’t work on the North Shore, which is already underserved by transit and taxis. Scott Munro, a Lynn Valley resident in favour of ride hailing, said he accepts that coming up with new regulations may take time, but added, “There are so many jurisdictions (the government) could easily look to,” to see how ride hailing has worked. Munro said he has sympathy for taxi drivers, but added, “They’ve operated in what I consider a cartel environment for too long. They’ve had many years to innovate and change the customer experience and they’ve fallen short. Consumers deserve choice.” A18 | PULSE nsnews.com north shore news FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018 ARTSCALENDAR
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Survivors game. Lentsch was there for the From page 20 She told her family about Little League opening day the diagnosis. They cried. ceremony this year. Layton seems to catch himself They consoled. And at some Wayne Hobson, the and remember how much fun point in that first terrifying longtime administrator for it all was. “I think I was more stage of grief, Barnard looked the district, asked if there was gutted when England lost the at her watch. anyone there from that ’93 World Cup this year,” he adds. “Holy shit, I gotta go!” she team. “Loss is part of life,” called. “I was the only person,” Barnard says. “It’s over. You With a promise to talk Lentsch says. can’t take it back, you can’t do about cancer later Barnard A few weeks back, just as anything. It’s what it was.” headed to the ballfield. It was this year’s Lynn Valley team her sanctuary. Her cancer-free was entering the provincial EXTRA INNINGS zone. tournament, Rouleau found “Baseball memories are “I did not get out of bed himself on the Lynn Valley seductive, tempting us always except to meet those kids at website. toward sweetness and the ball diamond.” “There’s nothing about our undercomplexity.” Of course, the kids all team,” he noticed. – Roger Angell, Game Time found out. Barnard still He didn’t mind the season remembers an eight-year-old being over, so long as it wasn’t Jurassic Park and Sleepless named Victoria offering her forgotten. in Seattle were playing at Park a lawn chair and a few kind At the end of The Boys of and Tilford and the Esplanade words. Summer, Roger Kahn’s chorni- 6. With Kathy Barnard looking on from third base, Shaun Layton tries to just make contact. Victoria, who had suffered cle of the legendary Brooklyn The North Shore News PHOTO SUPPLIED ADAM THOMPSON WORLD OF LITTLE LEAGUE MUSEUM through the same thing, told Dodgers team of the early published articles about West Barnard she’d lose her hair. 1950s, Kahn heads to where Vancouver’s slow growth still lives in Lynn Valley. at Aqua-Guard Spill Response, She wasn’t planning to She told Barnard she’d puke Ebbets Field used to stand rate and the District of North “All that Lynn Valley ended a company charged with coach, of course, but when all the time. And she told and finds himself seized by a Vancouver’s plan to buy a up giving me as a kid, you end getting skimmers in the the actual coach didn’t show Barnard she’d beat this. question: “Sweet Moses, white gazebo just for smokers. up being able to give a little water and sucking up any oil up . . . well, she found herself She did. And she went on or black, who will remember?” Lentsch remembers hang- bit back as well,” he says. “It’s spill. Rouleau, after play- helming a girls baseball to found the Save Your Skin he writes. ing around Hockey Cards Plus, kind of sad to see there’s only ing some college baseball, team called The Survivors. Foundation to advocate for But for the players who his dad’s shop at Lynn Valley a couple of us left.” teaches middle school in New The name, inspired by the other cancer patients. lived it, the summer of ‘93 is Road and Allan Road. Layton, who took his first Westminster. Destiny’s Child song, turned She still sees the players unforgettable. “It was more a little kid’s plane ride that summer, is a “They’re not kids any- out to be apt. from that ’93 team from time “For most of us, that’s the area rather than a bank now, seasoned traveller these days, more,” Barnard reflects. Barnard was diagnosed to time, she says. only world championship of but they’ve taken over,” he flying to Spain four times in “They’re as old as me; I don’t with malignant melanoma that “We criss-cross back and anything that we’re going to says with a chuckle. two years for “really fun R and know how that happened.” season. forth,” she says. attend,” Carlson says. “It stays Lentsch, who now works D,” as he prepares to open his Barnard kept coaching. The diagnosis, and the Lentsch coaches his vivid in our memories.” as a firefighter out of Central own tapas bar called Como Coaching, she says, got her command to get her affairs in eight-year-old son now. The Barnard agrees. Lonsdale, is one of the few Taperia in East Vancouver. through the worst year of order, came just hours before kid wants to be a catcher, like “They gave me one of the players from that team who Cameron Janz is the CEO her life. the first pitch of a his dad. greatest memories of my life.” Areyou interested in the port?
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MeetJeff Proseilo Valley rooftop retreat Owner of Nourish Market alocally owned &operated North Vancouver market From page 37 it difficult for Matheson Sim spots the tomato offering alocal connection to food. to get down to Dundarave plants and the yellow flow- dining hall. these days to visit the gar- ers trigger a memory of But before the food den. For her 90th birthday his late wife. The flowers arrives on their plates, recently, the retired high have to be fertilized before some of the seniors will school teacher requested a the fruit can form. Sophie have had a hand in the meal trip to VanDusen Botanical thought they were a weed NOURISH MARKET BRINGS ON ATEAM OF NUTRITIONAL EXPERTS preparation. Garden. and picked them. As part of a garden club, Matheson’s family gifted “She learned,” he says TO SHARE KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND RECIPES the seniors will plant and her with that garden party; a softly. pick the green bounty, col- scrapbook of memories from Sim surveys the garden lect it in a basket and bring that special day sits on her and from his rooftop perch Ibelieve we canuse food as medicine in our it down to the kitchen. night table. looks over Lynn Valley lives while honoring busy schedules &the “So it’s kind of replicating If Matheson is craving where he cultivated a life. pleasureoffood. My approach to nutrition & what home life would be like an al fresco escape she can He was a meat cutter supplements is easy,simple &tasty.Ihave10 when they had their own head to the fifth floor of the and had his own shop, Sim’s yearsofexperience&love empowering my garden,” explains Babic. care home. Meat Market, at the corner clients with daily habits &tools that will, over Care home resident The elevator door opens of Lynn Valley Road and time, transform their life. My aim is to provide Grace Matheson recently and Sim wheels his way Mountain Highway. youwith the knowledge&skills youneed ambled through the rooftop into the Healing Garden. Sim is looking forward to so youcan fully embraceaholistic, healthy garden and smiled at her There’s a wraparound patio spending more time in the lifestyle. surroundings. Before she with panoramic views of garden at his new home and came here Matheson helped the North Shore mountains. getting his hands dirty. CaraHalber,BSc co-found the Navvy Jack Wooden benches dot the “It certainly gives an REGISTERED HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST Community Garden in West rooftop retreat for residents opportunity for people CERTIFIED PASTRY CHEF CArAhAlbEr Vancouver. and their loved ones to here to do something they “It’s good for your soul,” relax. couldn’t do otherwise,” he she says of being in the gar- What began as three says. Iamahealth conscious proud mother of two, den. “As soon as I hit the top plots has since grown to 35 “They get up and they adog loverwho enjoys adventureand strives step I shed all my earthly planting containers spread just have to pull a few weeds to achieve awild and precious lifewith my problems.” around the approximately and they’ve accomplished partner! Mobility challenges make 1,000-square-foot patio. something.” As aholistic nutritionist forthe Canadian Men’s Olympic/National Field hockey team, my inner passion is to help motivatefolks to exceed their health objectives. My mission at Nourish is to inspire, educate, and co-create acommunity that is healthy, caring and conscious. Board of Directors SandraMillward sAndrAMillwArd REGISTERED HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST
TransLink is the regional authority responsible for the planning, building and Iamanartisan by nature, aHolistic Nutritionist, operating of an integrated transportation system for the movement of goods and aCulinaryExpert. and people in MetroVancouver.With acombined work force of over 7,000 Cooking is my passion formorethan 20 years. people, TransLink and its operating subsidiaries represent one of the largest It is my wayofcaring &expressing my love to organizations in British Columbia. otherswith healthy &succulent dishes. Iwant TransLink’sBoardofDirectors is responsible for supervising the management to inspirepeople to makecooking important of TransLink’saffairs and for acting in the best interests of the broader again &tovalue the importanceofthe organization while upholding the highest levels of integrity and professionalism. connection between food &body so they shine, glow&feel their best. TransLink’sScreening Panel is seeking three individuals to contribute seasoned leadership, community,business, and operational perspectives to BeaOhep TransLink’sBoardofDirectors. Applications aresought from individuals who REGISTERED HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST possess significant community awareness and connection to the community, BEA OHEP governance and goods movement experience, and who arecustomer-service focused.
Interest is welcomed from qualified individuals who reflect the diversity of the 20% OFF EvErything! customers that TransLink serves. Candidates should have previous experience in acomplex organization, be financially literate, and possess the time and CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY interest needed to actively participate on the Board. August 3rd •1dAy Only! Consistent with TransLink’sgoverning legislation, the Screening Panel is required to provide alist of qualified candidates by September 15, 2018 to the •taste fair Mayors’ Council for its consideration.
•nutritional advice For further information about these positions, please visit www.watsoninc.ca. •sampling To express your interest in this opportunity,please email your CV to [email protected] by August 7, 2018.
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VEGAN – KETO – PALEO – SUPPLEMENTS – KOMBUCHA – PROBIOTICS – COLLAGEN ORGANIC PRODUCE – GRASSFED MEATAND DAIRY – CLEAN BODYCARE Please recycle this newspaper. Overheating? Region’s housing market still 'highly vulnerable' to risk factors For ninth straight quarter, federal housing agency warns of high levels of price overvaluation in Metro Vancouver
Joannah Connolly / Glacier Media Real Estate
July 26, 2018 10:48 AM
If you think you're overheating in this summer weather, consider Metro Vancouver real estate for a moment.
The Vancouver Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) housing market has been assessed as at a “high degree of vulnerability” from various risk factors by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), in a report released July 26. related
City approves 400-foot tower that partially blocks North Shore mountain views Buyers turn to letters to snag homes in Canada's hot real estate markets
The federal housing agency’s quarterly Housing Market Assessment, which for this edition assessed market activity in 2018’s first quarter, has pegged the region as highly vulnerable for nine consecutive quarters. As in previous editions, the latest report said that the main risk comes from overvaluation of homes, with price levels “far higher than the upper predicted values from price models based on demand and supply fundamental factors such as population, income, financing costs, and land supply.”
Eric Bond, CMHC’s principal analyst for Metro Vancouver, said, “Tight market conditions for lower-priced properties continue to exert upward pressure on the prices of these homes, accentuating CMHC’s detection of overvaluation in the Metro Vancouver housing market.”
The quarterly Housing Market Analysis analyzes real estate markets across Canada, assessing a combination of four key risk factors: overheating, when demand for homes in the region outpaces supply; sustained acceleration in house prices; overvaluation of house prices in comparison with levels that can be supported by economic fundamentals; and overbuilding, when the inventory of available homes exceeds demand.
Despite home price growth slowing recently in many areas, the overall year-over-year price growth seen in 2018’s first quarter was enough for CMHC to flag the region as being at “moderate” risk of both overheating and price acceleration.
“The HMA framework detected moderate evidence of overheating, although price growth has been slowing considerably over the last two quarters, and has turned negative in some areas,” said Bond. “Declining prices for detached properties in some areas, particularly Vancouver’s Westside and West Vancouver, are due to high inventories that have accumulated due to sustained falling sales volumes.”
Once again, the only area where the risk was deemed low in Metro Vancouver was overbuilding. “Despite record-breaking new home construction over the past two years, new home inventories remain low as developers have not been able to keep up with the demand,” said the report.
National picture
Despite Canada as a whole being assessed as at “moderate risk” in price acceleration and overvaluation, and at “low risk” in overheating and overbuilding, the CMHC still said that overall the country’s housing market is at “high risk” for the eighth consecutive quarter. The national report said that this was “due to price acceleration and overvaluation being detected” in key housing markets.
Victoria Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) was also assessed as at high risk overall, with the same ratings in each of the four factors as Metro Vancouver, as was Toronto CMA.
Source: CMHC
CMHC said that the report “acts as an ‘early warning system’ for the country’s housing markets – an important tool supporting financial and housing market stability.”
‘Perpetual’ motion to give boost to City of North Van renters Policy pushes discount from 10 years to perpetuity
Jeremy Shepherd / North Shore News
August 14, 2018 03:43 PM
As of 2019, dense new developments in the City of North Vancouver will be forced to set aside 10 per cent of the units for a 10 per cent discount in perpetuity. photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News Ten years isn’t long enough. That was the verdict July 23 as City of North Vancouver council amended a policy aimed to help lower-income renters get a foothold in the city’s housing market – although not everyone agreed on the timing of the amendment’s implementation. Currently, if developers want to build a midrise or highrise that’s bigger or denser than envisioned by city guidelines, city council only approves the project on the condition the developer rents 10 per cent of the building’s new units at 10 per cent below market rates for at least 10 years. But as of Jan. 1, 2019, that policy will be changed to maintain that 10 per cent discount in perpetuity. While council concurred on the merits of the amendment, they disagreed on its execution, with Coun. Don Bell pushing to implement the revised policy on Sept. 1. “I would hate to see a flood of applications come in expecting to have the lower amount,” he said. Bell emphasized that currently, if renters move out of their discounted apartments within a decade, “the rents will jump up and we’ll lose those (units) as homes.” Coun. Craig Keating disagreed, suggesting that while city staff process applications swiftly, “I don’t think they’re superheroes.” It would be improbable that a developer could conduct a land survey, finalize architectural drawings, submit their project to advisory bodies, deal with drainage and sewage issues and somehow get their project in front of council prior to Jan. 1, according to Keating. Bell’s motion also failed to curry favour with Coun. Pam Bookham, who noted that the new policy represented a significant change for developers. “In the spirit of co-operation and respect for those are putting their money into rental housing in this community . . . perhaps the date suggested by staff might be best,” she said. The sooner the new policy can be implemented, the better, responded Coun. Rod Clark. “If it’s impossible to get through the process by Jan. 1, then what’s the big deal about making it Sept. 1?” he asked. Bell’s motion to push the start date to Sept. 1 was defeated 5-2. Coun. Holly Back welcomed the change, suggesting the in-perpetuity policy was needed to keep low-cost housing. “I definitely had some concerns on what’s going to happen 10 years from now,” she said. In 2017, Clark advocated for council to revise the policy so that 20 per cent of new units would be rented at 10 per cent below market rents. However, the change would not be financially feasible in most developments, according to a city-commissioned analysis from Coriolis Consulting Corp. As of June 2018, average rents in the city ranged from $1,500 for a studio to $3,825 for a three-bedroom. Given that approximately half of city households are renters, Clark said he hadn’t given up on doubling the amount of discounted units on certain new builds and strata developments. “This whole conversation is to be continued.” While the policy should help, Mayor Darrell Mussatto emphasized that municipalities need a boost from the senior levels of government that “basically abdicated” the responsibility to build affordable housing. While there were 7,138 rental units built in the City of North Vancouver over the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, Coun. Linda Buchanan noted there were zero rentals built in the 1980s and ‘90s and 146 built between 2000 and 2010. The reason rental construction flatlined was because: “there was no absolutely incentive for them to be built,” she said. A city staff report attributed the stark decline to the elimination of federal funding and tax incentives as well as the introduction of strata ownership in 1966. The discounted rentals aren’t just for workers in menial jobs, they’re for entry level nurses and teachers, Buchanan emphasized. “These are the people in the community that also can’t afford to live here,” she said. While the policy is designed to encourage affordable and alternative housing forms, Keating reminded his colleagues the policy is essentially a tool to assist construction. “There’s certain limits here,” he said. “The City of North Vancouver is not itself going to build any housing.” However, Clark pointed to a plot of city-owned land on East First Street that he called a: “perfect location for affordable housing.” In the last eight years, 1,030 rental units have been built or approved in the City of North Vancouver including 41 mid-market rentals. The July 23 motion also charges city staff with investigating how zoning might be used to require below-market rental units or cash contributions from new strata developments. A42 | NEIGHBOURHOODS nsnews.com north shore news FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2018 Members decide what stuff goes into the Thingery
From page 41 board the Thingery train after in there – that’s something stock of gear. reading about it in a Facebook I’d really like to get my hands “I have a tiny little storage July 18 – Thingery HQ will post, can’t wait to try out on.” locker. I can barely fit my have the necessary capital to some of the sporting gear. Yallouz falls squarely into hockey gear in there,” she purchase a shipping container “I am really looking the Thingery’s target demo- says. “I’m a millennial. Living and get to work converting it forward to some of the graphic. She’s a 26-year-old in Vancouver isn’t always so into a lending library. outdoor equipment,” she living in a rental apartment easy, so to be able to take North Vancouver’s Alex says. “There’s rumours that who doesn’t have the space advantage of what makes Yallouz, who jumped on there are going to be kayaks or cash to build her own Vancouver so great at a price that doesn’t make you have to not have a meal the next day is a great option.” Co-op members have a say in what items go into the Thingery, with some of the stock coming from member An artist’s rendering of what the Thingery’s converted donations and other things shipping container will look like. IMAGE SUPPLIED purchased at the will of the group. strengthens our bonds as a problem of not being able “When you donate community.” to afford as much, but also something you get borrow- With prices high and not really wanting to accu- ing credit towards other storage space low for many mulate as much,” she says. things,” says Roberts. “It’s a young people in the Lower “Definitely we get a lot of way of getting more things by Mainland, there has been a people that are very envi- contributing what you already shift in the way people think ronmentally conscious that own.” about ownership of things, want to join because they are Thingery converts, says Roberts. trying to help reduce waste. however, contend that the “I think we’ve kind of come Even just the packaging of concept isn’t just about just to a point where we realize buying a new item, to the fact using stuff, it’s about sharing that gathering things isn’t that a drill is used maybe 10 resources, building commu- really going to make us happy. minutes of its entire working nity and reducing waste. Just storing everything in a lifetime when it’s bought by “From the perspective of garage – nobody has a garage a single person. To be able the sharing economy, these anymore to store things in,” to share use of that drill, it’s are things that we don’t use she says, adding that there going to have an extended every day,” says Yallouz. is a strong environmentally lifetime and it’s going to be “They’re not ‘life essentials.’ conscious bent to the project. used and not kind of tossed They’re things that we can Even the shipping container away without fully being GO IN PEACE Crowds gather for a look at the Greenpeace icebreaker Arctic Sunrise share with our community itself is a repurposed item. utilized.” docked at Burrard Dry Dock Pier on Sunday. The ship was open to guided public tours during members and all take turns “I think a lot of it is really For more information visit its visit to North Vancouver. PHOTO CINDY GOODMAN using. I think in that regard it targeting to that millennial thethingery.com.
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING
Aredevelopment is being proposed for3015-3059Woodbine Drive, at the corner of Woodbine Driveand West Queens Road, to constructa3-storey mixed-use development. Youare invited to ameeting to discussthe project.
Date:Thursday, July 26,2018 Time: 6:30pm presented by Location: DelbrookCommunityCentre(Maple Room) 851WestQueens Road, North Vancouver
The applicant,Omicron Development Inc., proposestorezone the sitefrom In partnership with commercial zoning to acomprehensivedevelopment zone, to permit 20 market condominiums and 9,700square-feet of commercial area. The unitswill range in sizefrom870 to 1,325square-feet;each unit will have twobedrooms and outdoor space. The thirdfloor condominiums will have access to private roof-top patios. 37 parking spaces areprovidedfor the residentsalong with 5 visitor parking spaces.25publicly accessible parking spaces areprovidedfor the retailersand shoppers.
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64 29 98 29 97 40 37 BL 2957 75 95 29 29 VD 96 29 29 28 NE WO 66 5 59 2950 2929 2 5 94 Exhibit Opening Reception August 22, 2018 7 29 2 25 29 289 29 2 29 0 9 2 Information packagesare being distributed to residentswithin a100 metre Main Festival Programming August 23-25, 2018 radius of the site. If youwould liketoreceiveacopyorifyou would likemore See website for times and location details. information, please contactTyler Knoepfel of Omicron Development Inc.at (604)632-1130 or RobynHay of the DistrictofNorth Vancouver Planning www.ArtistsForConservation.org/festival
Department at (604)990-2369 or bring your questions and commentstothe Painting by Mark Hobson
meeting. Major Sponsors &CommunitySupporters *This is not aPublic Hearing. DistrictofNorth Vancouver Council will receiveareportfromstaffonissues raisedatthe meeting and will formally consider the proposal at alaterdate. EDITORIAL: Procrastination District
North Shore News
July 19, 2018 08:52 AM
Following Monday's deferral, the District of North Vancouver's long- gestating Maplewood Innovation District will likely be decided following the Oct. 20 municipal election. image supplied Three months before an election is always too late or too early for anything you want to do. At least, that seemed to be the prevailing opinion Monday as a majority of District of North Vancouver council shoved the massive Maplewood Innovation District to the next council, turning today’s quandary into tomorrow’s conundrum. We understand that even a bold politician might grow timid at the prospect of approving 900 housing units and 1.4 million square feet of business space in Maplewood and then defending that decision on doorsteps from Deep Cove and Grousewoods. But making tough decisions isn’t part of council’s job – it is their job. Instead of doing that job council pled for more time and information, leaving a monumental decision to a council that – without Mayor Richard Walton and Coun. Doug MacKay-Dunn – will likely be no more informed than this one. The delay may also drain some of the project’s affordability as the developer grapples with U.S. steel tariffs. There are strong arguments for approving and for rejecting the Maplewood project. But we can think of no defence for council’s attempt to procrastinate their way to consensus – an abdication of duty that will turn the 2018 municipal election into a one-issue referendum. It’s easy to say that divisive issues should be decided at the ballot box. We’d guess that the 37 families displaced by council’s approval of Emery Village last month would have sighed with relief if council had decreed that project too controversial. Controversy is here to stay. This council, we remind voters, doesn’t have to be.
Proposal for luxury condo tower in Vancouver pulled amid signs of weak demand
Frances Bula Vancouver Special to The Globe and Mail Published 14 hours ago Updated July 27, 2018
Plans for a luxury condo project in downtown Vancouver at Georgia and Pender streets have been withdrawn by the developer.James Cheng Architects/Handout A proposal for a downtown Vancouver luxury condo tower that was scheduled to go to a public hearing next week has been abruptly cancelled by the owner. It’s a sign of what some see as a shift in Vancouver’s hot real estate market, as the demand for high-end property has weakened, construction costs are skyrocketing and city officials are demanding ever-higher community-amenity contributions (CACs), a fee intended to pay for improvements to neighbourhood services. A representative of the developer, Brilliant Circle Group, sent a letter to the planning department last week withdrawing the project. The letter, obtained by The Globe and Mail, explained that the decision “is due to the impact of the rapidly changing real estate market, which affects both the unit mix and the CAC evaluation.” The developer and the architect for the project, James Cheng, declined to comment. The project is not dead, but the company is going to re-evaluate the design and resize the units for the triangular piece of land at Georgia and Pender streets that was bought for $16-million five years ago. It is now assessed at $30-million. But realtors and real-estate analysts say it is not surprising to see a luxury project stalled, given the current conditions. “Everything’s corrected and the luxury market is gone,” said Ian Watt, a realtor who specializes in higher-end housing. “Anything under $2-million will sell, but in the last two months, there’s been only one sale over $3.5- million.” Realtor Karel Palla echoed those numbers, saying that “at this point, there’s a very small percentage of people that can afford that type of product.” And Michael Ferreira, whose company, Urban Analytics, closely tracks pre-sales, said, “We’ve definitely noted some softening at the high end.” He said a year ago, “you would see 85 per cent sold within the first three months. Now it’s 50 to 60 per cent. You’re now seeing more incentives to attract buyers.” Mr. Ferreira said several factors are contributing to that, including the fact that “there’s a little bit of fatigue in the market with the very steep price increases.” Some planned projects “looking to launch this fall may be put on hold,” he said. George Wong, whose company, Magnum Projects, was set to market the Brilliant Circle tower, said he thinks the West Georgia project is an unusual case and its withdrawal isn’t the beginning of a crash. He is also marketing the Landmark On Robson towers for the company Asia Standard, which has about 240 market condos planned for the site. That is the highest-priced development on the market, with the apartments selling for $2,000 to $5,000 a square foot, depending on their placement. Just less than 50 have been sold since the marketing started in February. Mr. Wong said the Landmark’s owners, based in Hong Kong, don’t need external financing, so they are comfortable with taking five years to sell the building. Several more high-end towers are planned for downtown, with observers wondering if some of the developers might take a pause as well. They include a second tower by Asia Standard, in partnership with Landa Global Properties as well as projects by Bosa Properties, Westbank Corp., and Anthem Properties. Anthem president Eric Carlson said he is still going full-steam ahead on a 30-storey tower on the former Chevron gas station site on West Georgia the company bought for $72-million. “We’re still gung ho. We’re not in the least bit spooked," he said. "My call is our project is going ahead, but we will have to make sure we do construction tendering really hard and negotiate with the city over CACs.” Developers are taken aback at the CACs the city is demanding, he said, which seem to go up with each project. Recently, developers have reported that city negotiators are asking for $300 to $400 a square foot. Mr. Carlson said some newer, offshore developers may be having trouble with the rising pressures. Follow Frances Bula on Twitter @fabulavancouver
EDITORIAL: Sparking change
North Shore News
July 31, 2018 03:35 PM
It took nine firefighters, hundreds of feet of hose and two fireboats to put out the afternoon blaze. The cause of the fire has not been determined. file photo Paul McGrath, North Shore News
We can no longer claim not to have been warned. Climate change means drier summers and more wildfires on the West Coast. Metro Vancouver issued an air quality advisory over the weekend while crews worked to contain a wildfire in Richmond.
For most, the annual smell of smoke in the air and taste of soot in our mouths is an inconvenience but if you’ve got respiratory difficulties, it’s a real threat. related
Discarded lit cigarette cause of West Vancouver brush fire
While a wildfire will gladly consume anything in its path, we have had, thankfully, very few fatalities in B.C. over the years. That’s something we owe to evacuation efforts by the authorities in the fire-plagued Interior but also a cultural appreciation by people there for the gravity of the risk fires present.
Here on Lower Mainland though, it’s time we realized the same risk. Across Deep Cove, Blueridge, Lynn Valley, Upper Delbrook, Grousewoods, the British Properties, Upper Caulfeild, and Horseshoe Bay, we have nearly 50 kilometres of neighbourhoods that interface with forests where thousands of people go to recreate at the driest times of the year.
Almost all of the dozens of brush fires our three fire departments are called to douse each summer are caused by humans, and discarded “smoking material” is the likely culprit. We could suggest higher fines for people getting high on the trails or jacking up tobacco taxes but what we really need is an appreciation for the risk we face at a cultural level.
That means no longer accepting people smoking in areas where they should not be. If you see someone throwing cigarette butts or roaches on the ground, stomp on them good. (And then do something about the cigarette butts and roaches.) Spirit Trail opens across Mosquito Creek
Brent Richter / North Shore News
July 24, 2018 04:08 PM
On four paws, two feet and one wheel, a local man and his dog make their way through the Mosquito Creek portion of the Spirit Trail. photo Cindy Goodman, North Shore News
One of the last and most critical links in the Spirit Trail across the North Shore waterfront is now open to the public. As of Friday morning, cyclists and pedestrians began crossing through the Mosquito Creek Marina on Squamish Nation land on a trail segment that slips beneath sea level and a 50-tonne gantry crane. related Squamish, City ink Spirit Trail agreement Work on Spirit Trail through Mosquito Creek to finish in early 2018 City of North Vancouver mayor not seeking re-election City of North Vancouver races to end of Spirit Trail With the connection now open, people travelling the trail between Lower Lonsdale and the Harbourside area will be able to avoid a 2.3-kilometre detour around the community of Eslhá7an, including a steep hill on Forbes Avenue and heavy traffic on Third Street. “I think the Spirit Trail will be as or more popular than the Stanley Park seawall. It’s that popular. It’s going to be a game changer,” said Mayor Darrell Mussatto. “I think it’s a vital part of the legacy of giving people alternatives to using their car.” Seeing the trail through to completion has been one of Mussatto’s highest priorities in office but credit for the connection belongs to the Squamish Nation for opening up their land, he said. “I think the council they have now is showing great leadership in allowing it to go through and finishing it off. Without a doubt, the No. 1 thing is the amazing Squamish Nation,” he said. Squamish Nation council is also celebrating the opening. “It’s exciting for the Squamish Nation to welcome everyone to our community and to work on this with the City of North Vancouver to connect two really important parts of the Spirit Trail. We feel really happy about it,” said Khelsilem, Squamish Nation council spokesman. “We really want to work in partnership with our neighbouring communities and governments and work collaboratively. We see a lot of potential for our own community to connect the North Shore this way, whether it be through culture and community or whether it’s through business,” Khelsilem said. The project has been in various stages of planning and upward budgets since the Squamish Nation and city council signed an agreement in 2014. Finding a way to get people through the busy marina without impacting operations was a feat of engineering, requiring crews to install a cofferdam to hold back the seawater while they installed a series of pre-cast concrete panels adjoined with and overlapping waterproofing. The cement walls on either side of the section below sea level call to mind the Star Wars trench run as you make your way through. There is an almost 90-degree turn at the mid-point and there may be folks coming in the other direction you’ll want to slow your roll. Welcoming people at the ewicke venue entrance are two new pieces of public hard by Squamish Nation artists ody roomfield Sin m in ) and Xwalacktun, a colourful gateway feature entitled, We Hold Our Hands Up to You – Wa chet ’a y chtntumi and a five-tonne basalt carving referencing the land’s ancestral history and present-day life. Out the door, that section of the trail cost about $7 million – money well spent, according to Meredith Cale who rode through the trail on opening day, towing her toddler Finnegan in a bike trailer. “Oh, 100 per cent. I think everything the city’s done so far in terms of things like bike lanes and making it more accessible to walk, bike and run are great,” she said. Cale said her husband commutes by bike every day and the new connection will make his trip faster, more enjoyable and most importantly, safer. Noah loom said eliminating the “ugly detour” up Forbes will probably mean more trips to the Thomas Haas Fine Chocolates & Patisserie in the Habourside neighbourhood. “Nobody enjoys it. It’s noisy. It’s uphill. It’s busy. We have kids,” he said.
For seven-year-old Josh Klochnyk, who was there for an opening day ride with his grandparents, the highlight was looking out a porthole partway through the section below sea level and watching the crane above lower a boat down into the water.
“Really cool,” he said. “It was like going under a river.”
Four-leggeds also stand to benefit with easier access to the Kings Mill Walk dog park, something Mosquito Creek resident Anne Farmer said her 11-year-old lap dog Fidel will enjoy.
“We had to drive to the puppy park so we didn’t go as often,” she said.
EDITORIAL: Stuck in neutral
North Shore News
August 3, 2018 07:00 AM
The Vancouver area is one of the last major cities in North America that doesn’t have ride hailing. photo supplied Times Colonist
The NDP’s promise to bring ride hailing to B.C. is stuck in a very low gear. The Vancouver area is one of the last major cities in North America that doesn’t have ride hailing. Consumers, unable to get a taxi at peak times, have repeatedly said these are services they want. Make that double on the North Shore, regarded as something of a Bermuda Triangle by downtown taxi drivers.
But instead of getting into the fast lane on allowing Uber and Lyft to start their engines here, the NDP has been idling away, serving up delay tactics and a report on modernizing the taxi industry in July, which few people actually wanted. related
North Vancouver residents irked by ride hailing delay
Uber and Lyft are welcome to set up shop, says the transportation minister – but only if they essentially act like taxis. The same government has yet to bring the hammer down on Chinese-language ride-hailing apps already in business.
Some of the NDP’s cautions may have merit. If citizens are to jump in their cars and offer rides for hire, it makes sense to have safety checks and reasonable insurance in place.
And there are arguments to be made about whether on-demand service will be a net benefit if it means more drivers on the same congested streets.
The main wrench in the gears, however, involves rules that have nothing to do with public safety or transportation and everything to do with protection of the taxi industry. Few other industries enjoy such a degree of economic coddling by the nanny state. The taxi industry is heavily concentrated into several key Surrey ridings where the issue can make or break the fortunes of politicians – and parties. It’s precisely why the Liberals had 10 years to bring in ride hailing and chose not to. EDITORIAL: Take the high road
North Shore News
July 19, 2018 03:40 PM
Did West Vancouver council make the right decision to ban pot shops? Maybe. file photo Paul McGrath, North Shore News
Despite what may be happening in the rest of the country, the District of West Vancouver can boast it isn’t going to pot. The district voted Monday night to ban cannabis retail and production even though the jazz cabbage will become legal on Oct. 17.
We praise West Van’s decision only on the understanding that the prohibition is not permanent and a process to establish legal distribution is coming. related
West Van bans pot shops... for now West Vancouver sends pot bylaw to public hearing North Van pot shop rules hazy following public hearing The City of North Vancouver, by contrast, pretended not to notice when a crop of pot shops sprouted up without licensing and is now going to court to shut the queue-jumpers down. West Van can ensure a level playing field for future pot proprietors. The debate now is not whether people ought to be able to buy a gram or two from a licensed retail store but rather, where and how. Determining these things does not need two years of consultations. It doesn’t require an advisory panel, a steering committee, a citizens’ assembly or a drum circle. It requires an online questionnaire, a handful of community meetings and someone to draw up a new bylaw. In case it’s hazy, we’ll remind West Van council why they need to show some urgency. In October last year, a British Properties mansion was sprayed with gunfire. The suspects are still at large. It illustrates how vicious gangs are in protecting their interests. The longer West Van goes without legal access, the longer organized crime will have a monopoly. Thanks to the district’s delayed reaction, West Vancouver is going to miss the Oct. 17 legalization deadline but perhaps they can meet another one, say, April 20. 2019.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018 north shore news nsnews.com NEWS | A7 NEWSBRIEFS
TEEN IN HOSPITAL AFTER The teen received seri- There were several wit- was West Van (Secondary),” but the motorcycle rider In addition to the BEING STRUCK BY DRIVER ous but non-life-threatening nesses to the collision who said Lo in an email. “Drove himself got away with only wrecked bike and bruises A North Vancouver teen injuries to his head and have made statements to through smoke, ash and minor injuries. He was taken and road rash, the rider is in serious but stable shoulder in the crash. As of police, De Jong said. burning embers.” to Lions Gate Hospital as a received a $368 fine. condition after being hit Monday, the victim was still “It speaks to driver atten- One male sustained precaution. – Brent Richter by a driver on Mountain in hospital. The road bike tion, driver error and not minor smoke inhalation at Highway. was also badly damaged. paying attention at an inter- the scene. Bush couldn’t Police say the 18-year- The victim had the right section. Expect pedestrians confirm whether or not old was riding his bicycle of way at the time of the and bicycles or cars, when that individual was the south on Mountain just after crash, De Jong said. The you’re making a left-hand homeowner. 12:15 p.m. Sunday when driver, a 26-year-old Langley turn, to still be coming The cause of the blaze ENJOY the northbound driver of man, told investigators he across that intersection,” has not been determined a black Nissan turning left did not see the victim. he said. “Unfortunately yet, but fire investigators THE onto East 16th Street pulled “Whether he couldn’t somebody was injured were expected at the scene in front of him. or didn’t, that’s part of the because somebody didn’t Friday. neXus OUTDOORS The victim hit the pas- investigation. Suffice to pay attention.” “It was not suspicious,” senger side door of the car say, he did not yield to the – Brent Richter said Bush. and “went flying,” according oncoming cyclist,” De Jong – Maria Spitale-Leisk to North Vancouver RCMP said. “They haven’t charged SHED FIRE CAUSES VISUAL spokesman Cpl. Richard De the driver yet but charges DISTRACTION NORTH VAN CRASH NETS Jong. are pending.” A garden shed fire in TICKET the Ambleside area created North Vancouver RCMP quite the visual distraction have ticketed a motorcy- Thursday night. clist for riding with undue Witness reports poured care and attention after he in from as far away as crashed into a car on West 604-985-8771 •www.daviesrx.com Jericho Beach where the First Street. Home Healthcare 1417 St.Georges Ave.,North Vancouver large plume of smoke from The incident happened the Ambleside fire could just after noon Monday. RENT •SALES •SERVICE • SINCE 1973 be seen, according to West Police took a number of Vancouver assistant fire witness statements but chief Jeff Bush. surveillance video from Seventeen firefighters a nearby business left no arrived on the scene in the doubt as to what happened. 1200 block of 15th Street just The westbound Surrey before 7 p.m. to find a gar- man in his mid-20s tried to den shed engulfed in flames. deke around a driver turning JOiN uS FOR A tree and some ornamental right onto Hanes Avenue, hedges on the property had plowing into another driver also caught fire. attempting to turn left onto “There was concern that First. it would spread to nearby “(The video) showed Summer structures,” said Bush, add- him trying to cross on a ing crews got a handle on double solid and swerve SPeCiAlS the fire relatively quickly. around cars,” said Cpl. Teresa Lo was driving Richard De Jong. “When traf- •SaGadLNHçoHsL wHth GrHGGLd AGbacorL TIna south on 15th Street with fic is stopped, you should A North Vancouver teen’s bike is left with a crumpled front her teenage son in the car stop with it.” •GrHGGLd OctopIs&Tomato ConfitSaGad, wheel following a crash with a driver on Sunday. when they spotted the fire. The impact was enough BGackOGHvL TapLnadL PHOTO SUPPLIED NORTH VANCOUVER RCMP “Initially (we) thought it to trigger the car’s airbags •GrHGGLd HaGHbIt SaGad, PapayaVHnaHgrLttL
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WE SELL
324 East Esplanade, NVan Ends Aug 31, 2018 HITCHES 604.987.7474 Rack not exactly as shown FRIDAY, AUGUST 10, 2018 north shore news nsnews.com NEWS | A11 July second hottest on record in West Van
Temperature The daytime highs were South Coast. offset by relatively cool “Friday may very well be hit over 31 evenings, pointed out Matt that perfect pattern for the MacDonald, a meteorologist generation of thunderstorms degrees on with Environment Canada, – probably mostly over the which meant average tem- mountains,” MacDonald said. July 30 peratures weren’t so extreme. From Saturday onward, “We saw some cooling off temperatures should be more at night, which drove down seasonal, he added. MARIA RANTANEN the statistics,” he explained. Nine years ago to the [email protected] July was the seventh driest day of this year’s hottest month recorded with only recorded temperature so far, The mercury hit 31 C 19.4 millimetres of rain; the July 30, was the hottest day on Wednesday after it driest was 2013 when only a ever recorded at the West had been creeping up all trace of rain was detected in Vancouver weather station week, but an Environment July. when the mercury hit 36 C in Canada meteorologist said The weather this July 2007. it could go even higher included some particularly before a province-wide strong and resilient high- Top 10 temperatures trough hits this weekend, pressure ridges with warm recorded* bringing rain and return- air coming from the U.S., and July 30, 2009: 36 ing temperatures closer to any reprieve was short-lived, July 11, 2007: 35.9 seasonal next week. MacDonald pointed out. July 5, 2015: 35.8 This July was the second The high-pressure ridge is July 29, 2009: 35.7 hottest on record on the forecast to break down this May 29, 1983: 34.5 North Shore with the hottest weekend, albeit temporarily. Aug. 9, 1981: 34.5 day recorded on July 30 when Cooler temperatures are June 6, 2003: 34.2 the temperature climbed to predicted for Friday and the Aug. 12, 1990: 34 31.3 C, according to the West possibility of rain exists, Aug. 8, 1981: 34 Vancouver weather station off but MacDonald said it won’t July 17, 1995: 33.8 Cypress Bowl Road. amount to much precipitation. July 8, 2010: 33.7 This followed a pattern “Don’t get excited – it of hot weather in the month will be a few drops in a very *Records only date to of July that didn’t give much empty bucket,” he said. 1976 and include the Capilano Anja Packwood, 7, finds a great way to cool down at the spray park in North Vancouver’s relief to those suffering from The bigger concern is weather station and the West Mahon Park Aug. 8. The recent heat wave had everyone looking to beat the heat. the heat. Average tempera- that the breakdown in the Vancouver weather station. PHOTO LISA KING ture in July were 20.4 C, just a high-pressure ridge means the smidgeon below the July 2015 coming cold front might bring record of 20.7 degrees. thunder and lightning to the Race to ferry TempCLICKorTOaryEDIT UseMASTER PermitTITLE nets impounds Who: Citimark Belle IsleProjectLP
MARIARANTANEN so far this year, said Const. Jeff What: Real Estate Presentation Centre [email protected] Palmer, spokesperson with the WVPD. Since a change to Where: 1990 Belle IslePlace Two Sunshine Coast the Motor Vehicle Act in 2010, (as shownonthe sketchinred) residents racing to make a vehicles going more than 40 Why? ferry home recently ended kilometres over the speed limit up with an extra long wait will be impounded for seven Theparcel is zoned RS3(Single Family to get their vehicles back days. Residential 7,200 Zone) and theproposed from the impound lot. In addition to the fine, driv- presentationcentre is not apermitteduse Two 29-year-olds racing for ers whose cars are impounded under theexisting zoning. ATemporary Use the ferry in separate vehicles are subject to towing and Permit is requiredtopermit theproposed were recently clocked going impound fees, and ICBC pen- use. Under theTemporary UsePermit the 145 kilometres an hour on alty point premiums. proposed usemay remain forupto3years Highway 1 – 55 km/h over Many of the West with thepossibility of one3year renewal, the speed limit – by West Vancouver vehicle impounds foratotalpossibleof6years. Vancouver police. happen on the highway and A man driving a 1997 GMC on Cypress Bowl Road, Palmer When? pickup and a woman in a 2013 added, both of which have a Council has delegatedthe issuanceofTemporary UsePermitstothe General Manager – Planning, Ford Edge SUV were spot- high number of crashes. Propertiesand Permits. TheGeneral Managerwill consider theissuance of thepermit on Friday, ted by an officer driving at Last year at the same August24, 2018. speeds estimated at 140 km/h time, the number of vehicles around 9:45 p.m. on July 31. A impounded by WVPD stood at Needmore info? radar reading further ahead 112. The increase in number of Acopy of theTemporary UsePermit is availablefor reviewatthe Municipal Clerk’s Office at the recorded speeds of 145 km/h. impounds could be from more DistrictofNorthVancouverMunicipal Hall, 355 West Queens Road, NorthVancouverBC, or at Both drivers were stopped by cars speeding or it might be police in the Horseshoe Bay because the West Vancouver dnv.org/temp-use-permit off-ramp area. Police Department has more Whocan Ispeak to? Instead of driving on to the officers on traffic watch, To providecomment or forfurther informationcontactKayzadNadirshaw, Development Planning, at ferry, both drivers had their Palmer said, or it might be a [email protected] cars impounded and each combination of both. received a fine of $358. “Of concern is that those The recently impounded numbers are up – we encour- vehicles are just two of 168 age people to travel close cars impounded by the West to the posted maximums,” Vancouver Police Department Palmer said. dnv.org NVanDistrict @NVanDistrict A28 | nsnews.com north shore news FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2018
SPONSOREDCONTENT ThankYou to the Lynn ValleyCommunity!
On behalf of the Lynn ValleyLions Club, we thank you! The outpouring of supportfollowing the June 11 fireinWhiteleyCourtthat killed amother and son, destroyedMountain Village Apartments and left 77 people homeless was atestament to the strength and compassion of our Lynn ValleyCommunity.Withinhours, the Club committed to working withlocal government and others and set in motion adisaster relief program to assistthe families affected. Eric Miura, President, Lynn Valley Lions Club and HousingSociety
LionsClubInternational was HUB and providedboxes and foundedonJune7,1917 and everything needed to manage since thenwhereverthere is the donations. Otherimportant aneed, there is aLion – and help came in the form of gift so it was immediately after cards from local restaurants wordcame down about the and businesses; cut-a-thon disastrousMountain Village fire and BBQ fundraisers at that the Lynn ValleyLionsClub Lynn ValleyCentre, Argyle jumped into action. Secondaryand contributions Throughour partnerships from LV Legion #114 and North ShoreFirefighters. In with local businesses and Discounts for furnishings, a longasdonations arebeing all, $150,000-plus has been community members, the computer package for the deposited, so we can continue raisedtoassist these families. response was immediate and family of the deceased mother supporting those who were Directly or indirectly,most significant. Within 60 minutes and son,and cell phones have seriously injuredand the family of the donations came from of the Lynn ValleyLions’ callout, all been quietly provided. of the deceased. YOU, ourLynn Valleycitizens, The Mountain Village Support All families received new HUB was born with its location and 100% of the proceeds Formoreinformation about furnishings, beds/bedding, graciously donatedbyLynn will go to the relief. To say ourLynn Valley LionsClub, kitchen tablesand supplies, ValleyCentre, an extremely Lynn Valleystepped up is an theMountain Villagefire relief plusother household sundries generous donationof$25,000 understatement! including all of theagencies and somecash disbursements. was received from MOSAIC that supported thereliefplease Many Lionsmembers received Fifty-four days on,weare still Homesand an immediate visitwww.lvlions.com callsfromlocal citizens receiving cash donations and financial commitment offering financial and logistical this showofsupport – for both also came from oneofour support.Wealso received calls the affected families and for our newest partners, Neptune fromfrom outsidoutsideetthehe community. vovolunteerlunteers-is-issooveverrwwhelming.helming. Bulk Terminals. All monetary People who’d heardabout the Lynn ValleyLionsClubwill keep donations arebeing managed by ourtrust account at Blue fire wantedtooffer support. the trust account active for as ShoreFinancial. Another keytoour success was the tremendous effortbythree local Moms -KirstenEngel, AreinaBartok and Leanne Menzies. Coordinated by our LionsEmergencyExecutive through ourtireless Director of CommunicationsJeanette Duey and alarge groupof volunteersand mall merchants, theyset up and maintainedthe donationcentrethat had been mobilized by Lynn ValleyCentre Manager,LoreleiGuthrie. The HUB was outfitted with racks from Winnersfor clothing donations; staffwerefed daily by SaveOn Foodscatering; Edgemont Moving and Storage parked atruck outsidethe This new apartment building will pay you to ditch your car
08.09.18 world changing ideas https://www.fastcompany.com/90215305/this-new-apartment-building-will-pay-you-to-ditch-your- car?partner=rss&utm_source=social&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_ content=rss In Miami, the developers of a new building are giving residents $100 per month to not use their parking space–and take the public transportation next door.
[Photo: Melo Group By Eillie Anzilotti2 minute Read
In Miami, when a developer wants to put up a new residential building, they also have to provide 1.5 off-street parking spaces for each unit in the structure. This is not specific to Miami: Across the U.S., cities enforce minimum parking requirements–laws that require new buildings to include a specific number of parking spaces, depending on the type of building. In Los Angeles, for instance, new single-family homes require two dedicated parking spaces, as do two-bedroom apartments in larger buildings. One-bedroom apartments require 1.5 spaces.
The problems with these minimum parking requirements are fairly obvious. With cities like Miami already strapped for adequate housing, mandating developers to build spacious garages is fairly ludicrous, especially because further constricting available space for housing raises rents. And the availability of parking serves to promote driving, something congested and climate-vulnerable cities should actively be trying to avoid.
[Photo: Melo Group]
To Carlos and Martin Melo, brothers and developers who first came to Miami from Argentina in 2001, the fixation with parking is a source of frustration. So for their latest project with the Melo Group, which they head up along with their father, they decided to take a stand against parking minimums, and offer residents a $100 discount on their rent every month (rents range from $1,650 for one-bedroom units to $2,500 for a three-bedroom) for not using their allotted parking spot in the garage.
Square Station, their latest project, recently opened right next to a station on Miami’s light rail line. With two 34-story towers, the project brings 710 new units to a part of the city that’s grown in population by 40% since 2010. But there was no way around it: The Melo Group still had to build enough garage space to hold 1,065 parking spots.
[Photo: Melo Group]
“What we want to see for Miami is people not using their cars to get to work,” Martin Melo tells Fast Company. “Everyday trips should be made by public transportation.”
The building is about 75% leased now, and few residents are taking up the Melo brothers on their $100 discount offer–many people, even if they don’t drive to work, like to have a car for longer weekend trips, Martin says. But the brothers hope that the offer gets residents thinking about the cost of using their cars in a more personal ways–and potentially alert the city to the fact that the need for private cars is diminishing.
“The younger generation, especially people who live near their work, are noticing that they don’t need their own cars,” says Carlos Melo. If people need to get somewhere in a car, they can take Uber or Lyft, he adds, and the nearby public transit or a bike should be the first option.
The transition to building without space for cars, Carlos adds, “will take time.” But the brothers are hopeful that the economics will ultimately weigh against parking minimums–cars don’t pay rent, so for developers, having to provide space for them is expensive, and for cities, it’s quite inefficient (what the building would do with its empty garage if every tenant took the Melos up on their offer is unclear). As local regulations hopefully evolve to recognize that, the Melo brothers are content to offer their residents a small bonus for being ahead of the times.
About the author
Eillie Anzilotti is an assistant editor for Fast Company's Ideas section, covering sustainability, social good, and alternative economies. Previously, she wrote for CityLab.
Toronto infrastructure overwhelmed by rare storm, experts say
https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/08/08/toronto-infrastructure-overwhelmed-by-rare-storm-experts-say.html
By Tamar HarrisStaff Reporter Gilbert NgaboStaff Reporter Jennifer PagliaroCity Hall Bureau Wed., Aug. 8, 2018 When water began pouring into Cara Linehan’s basement, she thought the washing machine was flooding. “Then we went into my room and it was completely flooded,” said Linehan, who lives near Dufferin and College streets. “There was water coming through the walls and up from the ground.” City workers clear storm water drains along a storm water channel Wednesday near the intersection of Wilson Ave. and Jane St. after heavy flooding across the city the night before. (Steve Russell / Toronto Star) Linehan and her roommates were among the many households affected by what a meteorologist called a one-in- 100-year storm that pummelled Toronto. Tenants like Linehan living in more affordable basement apartments were hit particularly hard by the flooding — she said that three of the house’s rooms are in the basement, and they’ll have to discard a ruined sofa, floor mats and a dresser. Flooded basements, waterlogged streets, stalled public transportation and overflowing sewers beset the city in a matter of hours on Tuesday night, with 72.3 millimetres of rain measured at Billy Bishop airport between 9 and 11 p.m. “I’ve never experienced this in my life before,” said Linehan, who recently immigrated to Canada from Ireland. Read more: Men trapped in flooded elevator describe their rescue Everything you need to know to prepare for Toronto’s next flash flood Toronto’s infrastructure was not designed to handle weather events like Tuesday’s storm, said urban planner Ken Greenberg. “When you have 60, 70 or 80 millimetres of rain in two hours, it simply overwhelms not only the sewers but also affects the skin of buildings, elevators and underpasses.” As the city grows, more surfaces become concrete and impermeable, he said. That pushes stormwater into sewer systems rather than being gradually absorbed into the ground. As events like Tuesday’s storm become more frequent, “it’s dawning on us” that existing city standards did not anticipate the level of stress that climate change is bringing, he said, adding that it’s “maddening” to see the reluctance of elected officials, who still don’t want to take climate change seriously. Jennifer Drake, a civil engineering professor at the University of Toronto, said Toronto “is an old city” and events like this storm are a reminder of challenges facing high-density urban centres all over the world. “We’re left with this legacy infrastructure that leaves us with insufficient space for storing stormwater,” Drake said. Toronto runs on a combined sewer system while modern cities are built on separated sanitary and stormwater systems. “In extreme weather, our single sewer is overwhelmed,” she said. The cost required to eliminate the flood risk is “astronomical” to the point of being impossible, she said. The best way to approach the issue is to invest more in emergency preparedness and prediction, she said. “If we had the police out there in advance at that underpass, for instance, we could have prevented drivers from carelessly continuing and becoming trapped,” she said. John Tory, making a campaign stop in Scarborough on Wednesday, thanked emergency, hydro and city employees for their work overnight. He said the city is investing in mitigating stormwater, but he was challenged by questions about why he moved to shelve a city staff plan in 2017 designed to modernize Toronto’s approach to stormwater management by introducing a dedicated levy instead of the existing system, in which dealing with runoff water is funded by a charge on water bills, so residents and businesses that use more water pay a bigger share of that cost. The staff plan, which would have shifted how fees are collected based on the amount of owners’ hard surfaces, including buildings, paved areas, driveways and walkways, was meant to incentivize private owners of large properties like malls with abundant hard-surface areas like parking lots to better deal with stormwater on site. “If I thought that that decision at any time, in any way, affected any project that was in the capital budget of the city to the extent of one penny, I might have a regret about that decision,” Tory said. “This was simply a different way of collecting the same money. The money is available to make sure that the infrastructure is upgraded, whether it has to do with basement flooding or some of the other kinds of effects of these storms that we have.” In 2017, Tory faced criticism from Premier Doug Ford, who was then still mulling a rematch for the mayor’s chair in the municipal election and who supported the incorrect claim by Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti that the dedicated stormwater charge was a new “tax” on property owners. The mayor insisted at the time there were issues with the staff’s plan, such as the possibility that school boards would demand to be exempted from the dedicated levy, saying that they were insurmountable. City staff said that wasn’t the case. On Wednesday, despite being pressed about the staff plan, Tory did not acknowledge the environmental benefits of dealing more effectively with stormwater runoff and avoiding flooding in some areas outlined by staff and advocates after years of research. Tips for dealing with basement floods can be found on the city of Toronto website.
Two floods drench North Van homes as two bills soak homeowners
Municipality not liable, says DNV
Jeremy Shepherd / North Shore News
August 3, 2018 08:36 AM
Hannah Johnson, Ann Slingerland,and Cristina Arnoldfelt like their concerns were lost in the flood after a 43- year-old water main burst and flooded their homes twice in a span of 15 days. photo Kevin Hill, North Shore News
A few District of North Vancouver residents say the municipality left them high and dry after they were hit with two floods in two weeks.
A 1975-era asbestos cement water main burst on Brockton Crescent near Beaufort Road July 16, sending a torrent down steep driveways and into basements, according to Hannah Johnson.
Johnson said she tried to unclog debris-choked drains and pile bricks atop her basement stairs in an ultimately futile attempt to channel the flood into her yard before wading into her basement to rescue books and keepsakes.
It was approximately 30 minutes before the water was switched off, Johnson said. Six homes were damaged and approximately 45 centimetres of water gurgled into Johnson’s basement, ruining her carpets, hot water tank, furnace, washer and dryer, as well as the family photo albums she couldn’t save. District crews repaired a section of the damaged pipe and placed the water main on the priority list for replacement, according to District of North Vancouver spokeswoman Stephanie Smiley.
The district was gambling the water main wouldn’t burst again, said neighbour Cristina Arnold, who called the repair a “temporary fix.”
A broken water main on Brockton Crescent unleashed a stream of water that damaged six homes in the area. - photo supplied Johnson also questioned the decision to replace a segment of the pipe rather than the entire 43-year-old asbestos cement water main. However, district crews followed standard procedure, according to Smiley. The district replaces infrastructure based on several factors including age, the fragility of the material, and “the number of breaks it has sustained over its lifespan,” Smiley stated in an email. On Tuesday, only hours after a contractor measured Arnold’s basement for new drywall, a different section of the same pipe spewed another stream of water. A neighbour’s recently placed sod and soil were swept up in the flood, turning the water dark and murky and giving it a smell, “like sewage,” Arnold said. “It’s just been a lot of trauma and a lot of expense,” Johnson said, noting she’d just replaced her washer, dryer, furnace and hot water tank, all of which “are now written off again.” Because of the double break, workers are expected to begin replacing the water main on Tuesday, according to Smiley. Besides paying $2,000 in deductibles to her insurance company, Johnson said she’ll likely be out of pocket for another $1,500 or more to pay for her sump and drain tiles in addition to the hotel bill she racked up while her home was unlivable. “We’ll certainly submit a claim to the district,” she said. However, Smiley noted that municipalities are not liable for “damages caused by the routine breakdown of infrastructure.” Both Johnson and Arnold expressed skepticism about the policy. The municipality should at least reimburse residents for their insurance deductibles, according to Johnson, who noted her future premiums will likely be “astronomical.”
The second flood swept up a neighbour's topsoil before depositing a murky mess in several nearby basements. - photo supplied Arnold also asked for financial help, noting that losing one water main could be considered a misfortune but two seemed like carelessness. “The first time perhaps you can forgive but the second time that’s the one that hit us hard,” she said. “Basically, when the water hits your property it becomes your problem, even though it’s flowing from their water main.” While it took two floods to get to the top of the priority list, Arnold said she’s looking forward to seeing the replacement. “We can’t have a third flood,” she said. The district has about 55 kilometres of asbestos cement pipes, serving approximately 15 per cent of the municipality. The district is working to replace five kilometres per year.
Vancouver council votes to hike development-related fees
Patrick Johnston More from Patrick Johnston
Published: July 25, 2018
Updated: July 25, 2018 10:47 AM PDT
Incomes vs home prices in Metro Vancouver | Vancouver Sun1:32
Vancouver city council voted Tuesday to endorse a staff recommendation to significantly hike the fees they charge for rezoning, development and building permits.
Staff have said the costs to process permit applications have not been recovered by fees. In essence, work that developers should be paying for was being paid for by taxpayers, Coun. Raymond Louie said.
Louie said after Tuesday’s council meeting there simply was no other alternative, given that construction isn’t slowing down. He rejected the notion that cuts to other city services could be made to make up the shortfall in fees.
“This is part of a two year strategy to ensure that processing times and response times are improved,” he said.
He said they city had made extensive consultations with industry and this was in line with their concerns.
“We’ve got a backlog (of development permits),” he pointed out.
“The processing times are already starting to come down … it’s important for us to carry on.”
“All of this processing takes time.”
The increases range from 12 per cent to 55 per cent starting Jan. 1, 2019. The extra $7.9 million raised would help the city recover costs to process permit applications, according to a staff report.
Some fees would go up by just a few dollars (for example, permits for minor repairs to a heritage building would rise to $71.70 from $64), but others would see increases in the thousands of dollars. The fee to amend the text of an official development plan, for example, would increase from $45,200 to $50,600.
The city has hired dozens of new employees since last October to help deal with permit applications, and that has “had a significant positive impact on service delivery as well as staff morale,” according to the report. Some waiting times have dropped, including permit processing for low-density housing, which fell from 35 to 25 weeks.
But other low-priority files have not and the number of development and building permit applications are forecast to be near multi-year highs in each of 2018 and 2019.
Vancouver development that would have included social housing cancelled
Frances Bula VANCOUVER Special to The Globe and Mail Published June 19, 2018
A housing development on Vancouver’s east side that would have included dozens of units for people with mental illness was cancelled on Tuesday, with the developer and a non-profit agency walking away after the city demanded millions of dollars in additional cash contributions.
The 12-storey project would have seen Boffo Properties build market condos on top of 30 units of social housing, and a new drop-in centre for the Kettle Society, an organization that supports mentally ill tenants in buildings around the city.
The collapse of the deal comes as the city launches an ambitious new affordable-housing plan. This is the latest project to face delays or outright cancellation in the face of so-called community-amenity contributions that the city demands in exchange for rezoning.
“This is so upsetting,” Kettle Society executive director Nancy Keough said on Tuesday morning. “It just seems like such a major loss when all the parts were there.”
The Kettle Society and developer Daniel Boffo had been working on the joint project since 2011, when they came up with the idea of a building at the corner of Commercial Drive and Venables Street. The project would create a new centre for the aging Kettle building, housing units for the society’s members, and additional market condos.
The plan was that Kettle would contribute the land its building was on, while Mr. Boffo would buy two other lots, one owned by the city, on the triangular block. The developer said its agreement to build and turn over the social housing and drop-in space to the Kettle Society amounted to $39-million in contributions.
Buffo Properties said the city has now asked for between $6-million and $16-million in additional contributions.
The end of the deal follows cancellations of other private rental projects elsewhere in the city last fall. In those cases, a handful of property owners pulled out after the city’s real estate services department, headed by Bill Aujla, demanded high levels of community-amenity contributions as part of their rezonings.
In one of those cases, city manager Sadhu Johnston intervened to ensure the project went ahead.
The Kettle project generated intense debate in the usually left-wing Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood. Some residents protested the development with “No Tower” mottos, while others strongly supported it as a compromise to get much-needed affordable housing.
The news that the project was being cancelled was greeted with dismay and shock by many housing advocates. Kettle Society has about 5,000 people a year using its current drop-in centre, and it has a years-long waiting list for the more than 400 apartments in buildings around the city where it assists mentally ill tenants. Mr. Johnston said on Tuesday that the project got derailed late in the game because the developer didn’t put in a formal application until 2017. He insisted that the city was only asking for its fair share of the profits on behalf of taxpayers.
“It is our job to defend the public good,” Mr. Johnston said.
But Mr. Boffo, who is an experienced developer in Vancouver, said there’s usually some indication from the city on what it will be asking for in community-amenity contributions long before a formal application.
Mr. Johnston said there is still a possibility that Kettle and the city could come up with a new proposal using the city land that now sits empty next to the current site.
However, Ms. Keough wasn’t optimistic it would be revived.
“I don’t have any hope for this project,” she said.
City councillors also heard at length on Tuesday morning about a significant new housing initiative that staff had developed, which calls for the creation of 12,000 social or supported housing units in the next 10 years, as well as 60,000 other homes, many of them intended to be affordable to households with less than $80,000 a year annually.
West Vancouver builder denies claims of shadow flipping deal
Jane Seyd / North Shore News
August 10, 2018 08:59 AM
This home at 670 Southborough in West Vancouver, which is the subject of a legal fight, recently sold for $13.8 million. file photo Mike Wakefield, North Shore News
A West Vancouver builder of luxury homes is fighting back against claims that he and his wife owe money to a Burnaby man who alleges he had a deal with the couple to market a multi-million-dollar property.
Arsalan Mahboub, owner of Brontes Homes, said he’s shocked by a recent lawsuit filed against him and his wife Sharareh Khamessipour by Ali Ibrahim.
“I’m a professional. I’ve been doing this business for 35 years,” said Mahboub.
A 12,000-square-foot mansion built by Mahboub’s company in the British Properties that recently sold for $13.8 million is the subject of a lawsuit filed by Ibrahim in B.C. Supreme Court, claiming the sellers haven’t paid him for marketing the property to international clients.
Mahboub and his wife deny those claims.
The mansion, at 670 Southborough Drive, was built in 2017 and features an infinity swimming pool, private tennis court, home movie theatre, private elevator, golf simulation room and space for a 1,500-bottle wine collection.
In a lawsuit filed July 6, Ibrahim claims he struck a deal in March to provide “business advisory services” to market the property to “exclusive buyers” and investors in Canada and abroad. Ibrahim claims that as a result of that work he is owed $450,000.
But that’s news to the West Vancouver couple, according to Mahboub’s lawyer Bryan Hicks.
Mahboub and his wife “were surprised when they learned of (Ibrahim’s) lawsuit and his attempt to prevent them from selling their property,” stated Hicks in an emailed comment. Hicks said the couple have sworn in their affidavits “that they did not enter into any agreement with (Ibrahim) and they did not ask him to help with the sale of their property.”
According to court documents filed by the couple, Mahboub met with Naghmeh Mansouri, a mutual funds and insurance dealer, about life insurance in December 2017.
During the course of the discussion, Mansouri voiced interest in the Southborough property, according to court documents, and in March 2018 came to view the house with her friend Ibrahim. Mansouri and Ibrahim proposed a deal whereby they would buy the mansion under an assignable contract, according to court documents, then shadow flip the property for a higher price to a third party and collect a fee based on the price difference.
But Mahboub and his wife said they didn’t agree to the deal.
“My wife and I never had a contract with (Ibrahim),” Mahboub wrote in his affidavit. “We did not sign a listing agreement with him or any other kind of arrangement.”
Mahboub added in the affidavit that he asked Ibrahim if he was licenced to provide real estate services and was told that Ibrahim was not.
He later checked with the Real Estate Council and found neither Ibrahim nor Mansouri were licenced real estate agents.
The property sold on June 28 to Yu Hong Zhao and Qing Yang Meng of Chelsea Court in West Vancouver, according to a sales contract entered as a court document in the case.
On July 13, following a hearing in B.C. Supreme Court, a judge cancelled a certificate of pending litigation that would have prevented the completion of the deal.
The rest of the case is still before the courts.
Hicks said his clients will “consider options for having (the) claim dismissed swiftly” if Ibrahim moves forward with the lawsuit.
West Vancouver ‘Tree House’ condos a sign of things to come
Brent Richter / North Shore News
August 8, 2018 06:00 AM
British Pacific Properties' "Tree House" condo project off Cypress Bowl Road will likely offer a glimpse of the architectural style to come for the remaining developments on the slopes of Hollyburn Mountain in West Vancouver. It may be a called the Tree House but don’t expect this one to come with a rope ladder and trap door. West Vancouver council has given approval to developer British Pacific Properties for a new 12-storey condo tower off Cypress Bowl Road. When completed, the “tree house” project will include 37 market condos on Lot 1 of the long-approved Rodgers Creek Area Plan 6. Much was made by councillors about the design of the project by Seattle-based Olson Kundig and Ramsay Worden architects. The structure consists of two “totems” 12- and 11-storeys tall, with modular units jutting out and a two-storey connecting bridge. The design is intended to blend in with the surrounding natural landscape, rather than dominate it. “I am partial to the architecture. I think it’s very thoughtful. I think it’s potentially quite iconic,” Coun. Craig Cameron said. Coun. Nora Gambioli said she ran the designs by her 14-year-old son who assured her the building was indeed “sick” and “dope” (both good things in the context). Jason Wexler, vice-president of design and development for the company, said this will likely be a preview of what’s to come for the remaining developments in the British Properties. Still in the planning stages is Cypress Village, a “mountain village” on the slopes of Hollyburn but it won’t have the alpine resort look, like Whistler, mimicking European-style steep roofs. Instead, the developer will be looking for more designs inspired by West Coast Modernism as seen in the Tree House. British Pacific Properties' "Tree House" condo project off Cypress Bowl Road will likely offer a glimpse of the architectural style to come for the remaining developments on the slopes of Hollyburn Mountain in West Vancouver. “We thought that we should take a look at what some of the West Vancouver masters like Erikson, Thom and Pratt were doing, and try to develop an architecture that was truly indigenous to our climate, our environment,” Wexler said. “I think it’s probably going to be a theme moving forward.” Members of council were under no illusion that the Tree House would do anything to alleviate the affordable housing crisis, but they did agree it would fill a need in giving wealthy downsizers from the British Properties a way to stay in the community. “There is a full spectrum of residents’ needs that need to be met, one of which is our downsizers,” said Coun. Mary-Ann Booth, adding she hopes to see the units marketed and sold locally. “The market is not the offshore buyer. That’s not what our houses are for. That market should be looking at commercial real estate, not residential real estate, in my mind.” British Pacific Properties' "Tree House" condo project off Cypress Bowl Road will likely offer a glimpse of the architectural style to come for the remaining developments on the slopes of Hollyburn Mountain in West Vancouver. image supplied British Pacific Properties' "Tree House" condo project off Cypress Bowl Road will likely offer a glimpse of the architectural style to come for the remaining developments on the slopes of Hollyburn Mountain in West Vancouver. image supplied British Pacific Properties' "Tree House" condo project off Cypress Bowl Road will likely offer a glimpse of the architectural style to come for the remaining developments on the slopes of Hollyburn Mountain in West Vancouver. image supplied
British Pacific Properties' "Tree House" condo project off Cypress Bowl Road will likely offer a glimpse of the architectural style to come for the remaining developments on the slopes of Hollyburn Mountain in West Vancouver. image supplied
British Pacific Properties' "Tree House" condo project off Cypress Bowl Road will likely offer a glimpse of the architectural style to come for the remaining developments on the slopes of Hollyburn Mountain in West Vancouver. image supplied