= i Whitby Estates decisi s Council esks staff to provide new report Catherine Barr Contributing Writer THE final public hear- ing iato British Pacific Properties’ (BPP) new Whitby Estates devel- opment closed Monday, _but West Vancouver . council will not make a decision on the contro- versial development “until next year. The development calls for 263 units on 104 acres above -the Upper Levels Highway. Council will now wait for ; aplanning committee report to take into consideration all new information presented ~ by the public to council. The report, duc back next year, will then be placed on ‘the Jan. 12, 1998 agenda for * further discussion. The Whitby Estates pro- "posal includes plans for a mixture of single-family and * multi-family homes. The ‘property is located on land < just north of the Upper ‘Levels highway and west of , the Westhill area, The development requires . .new zoning bylaws and an “amendment to the Official “Community Pian (OCP) before procceding. Seven acres of municipal sndstnayrdesciatsgmonse aN oe } t Arenaked rae bre saatecriste shakin are onesie LA MONTRE SUISSE DES PIONNLERS DEPUIS 1832 _ Whitby land fs within the Whitby Estates boundaries. ‘Oo date, BRP does not own that land. Council is reportedly discussing the matter privately during in camera meetings. BPP's vice-president of development, Walter Thorneloe, says he’s acti pursuing the purchase of the land. Also at stake is the future of the tailed frog, a special species of frog found to be thriving in the creek areas of the Whitby development. Local conservation groups fear that development in could negatively affect the riparian habitat of the species. They have been calling for legislated protec- tion of the trogs and the area. Durman made the motion to close the public hearing on Monday. His motion included the provision that “the application for Whitby Estates be referred to the planning committee of coun- cil for report back to council giving consideration to the subjects received including recommended motions.” “We have a lot of things to think about from all the presentations that have been made,” said Durman. Katharine Steig, a mem- ber of Friends of Cypress, is particularly interested in pro- tecting the land from the negative effects of develop- ment. She has been instrumental in bringing certain informa- w cétoe ie tion to council's arrention in the past. She previously uncovered a newly amended Bil} 26, which grants the municipality more power over the protection of certain natural areas. The bill was the focus of a recent. staff report to council. “I'm concerned that we are still not doing enough,” said Steig. “I'm afraid that council may not be using all the tools available to protect this habitat in a way chat will benefit us all and that coun- cil may not vet have alf the answers we need for a deci- sion.” She is urging council to establish goals in Tegards to the tailed frog “ta ensure thar the existing tailed. frog population will be main- tained at its current level in Renaissance Christmas Appraised value $1450 | Sate price *950 GST inc. 922-3014 #2-2435 Marine Dxive, West Vancouver e Y Dundarave importer of Gemstones, Manutacaarers ot bine fewellery Capilano Mall, North Vancouver 984-2040 Park Royal S., West Vancouver 925-2043 Eaton Centre, Meirotown Burnaby, 430-2040 Mayfair Shopping Centre, Victoria (250) 382-2040 perpetuity.” Steg, wants fo see contin: gency plans builr into the Whitby development to allow for new protective measures if the frog popula- tion declines. Ocher members of the public have asked council to consider preserving the entire area and not allowing any development to take phice. Durman sees approach as problematic. “If we don’t agree to allow any development up there, we end up’ being on the wrong end of a multi- million dollar cost, and ['m not sure that J like that. Bur this Gift Cecetificates phone orders availabie Sunday. December 7, 1997 — North Shore News - “9 Lo know that if it’s a choice between spending money to compensate the developer to millions and miffions of dol lars, [prefer to spend it on recreational facilities and other things that this munic- ipality needs,” he said. Thorneloe contirmed that BPP is continuing to work with biologists and tailed frog experts. He said that studies avout the species and effects on its habitat will con- tinue throughout the devel- opment process. Council's firse public mecting on the development on Oct. 20 ended with a motion to reconvene on Nov. 17, in due next year West Van Coun. Victor Durman says yes to development. CHRISTMAS GIFTS of Relaxation, Beauty and Love Queen or King Package A tull day of total pampering designed especially tor your loved one. $159 Other Gift Pern with Haircut Facial & Manicure Aromatherapy Manicure/Pedicure 1 Hour Massage Shoulder/Neck Massage Prince or Princess Package Relaxation Pan on Shours OO Packages reg. $75 reg. $70 reg. $55 reg. $52 reg. $50 reg. $25 Ask about our many other services. Runaway Gay wf. 3101 Woodbine Drive, North Vancouver 988-8331 © Sor hair only 986-0920 fe These specially ordered Cherokees include A/C, sport decor pkg, mats, AMM cassette, p/mirrors, roof rack, 6 cyl 185hp engine & much more!