i m= = eno, am ane PUuiminG, A THRIVING cottage in- dustry located at Garrow Bay has local residents upset, retailers furious and West Vancouver District in a quandary as to what to do. If Marilyn Diligenti had not been quite so successful with Champagne Tastes, the high class clothing business she has run out of her waterfront property (cur- rently her boathouse) on Garrow Bay for about four years, nobody would have noticed her any more than the hundreds of other unlicensed women who sell lingerie, toys, books, make-up and L J I can’t do this, I'll do something else. If people want boats down there, Pil do boats. ’'m not into running a restaurant, but Pil do it ...”’ plastic containers out of people’s living rooms. Diligenti did not foresee the popularity of marketing costly garments at discount prices in a Juxurious home setting (limousine service is available to parties of seven or more). : It’s only recently that neighbors have spoken out about the increas- ed traffic — including delivery trucks — frequenting their narrow, winding and steep strects. Fined for working out of her liv- ing room, Diligenti moved her business into her boathouse, and has further alarmed her neighbors by applying for business licenses for the various uses applicable under the marina-zoned land. Although the land has not been used for marina purposes for many years, Diligenti says she pays $10,000 annual tax on it, and feels entitled to some sort of opportuni- ty for remuneration. Some of the allowabie uses for marina-zoned land include restau- rant, boat repair, boat rental and boat shelter, as well as sale of sporting goods, which is the avenue Diligenti would like to con- BMPs wu WV ) hs 3 - Wednesday, August 31, 1988 - North Share News sOathouse boutique has merchants -OunciH in a quandary ate NEWS photo Tom Burley CHAMPAGNE TASTES boutique owner Marilyn Diligenti stands in front of her West Vancouver waterfront business. tinue her clothing operation under. ‘*We're entitled to some use. If [ can’t do this, I'll do something else. If people want boats down there, I'll do boats. I’m not into running a restaurant, but I’ll do it...J’m sure thal what I'm doing now would be far less objec- tionable to the neighborhood than a restaurant or marina,’’ says Diligenti. Ernie Neale, West Vancouver’s director of permits and licenses, has told Diligenti that a dress shop does not really qualify under marina use, but the matter has been referred to lawyers, with a staff decision awaited at the end of this week. “We can’t deny her something she is legally entitled to,’’ said West Vancouver municipal clerk Doug Allen. While he said a_ legitimate marina use, such as boat rental, would be hard to refuse Diligenti, 3 ESCAPE DEATH Helicopter crashes on peak A BIRTHDAY outing in a helicopter turned into a cliff- hanging scrape with death Saturday morning when a helicopter crash-landed on the North Shore behind The Lions twin peaks. Mike Jensen, 43, had booked the $300 flight for li-year-old son Marcus with Langley-based Inter- national Heliflight. The plan was to pass over Stanley Park and then land on The Lions. But the ride turned rough when the chopper started losing altitude as it headed for the west peak. The Hughes 300-C craft dropped ap- proximately 200 feet and came to rest on its side at the edge of a cliff. Pilot Graeme Meyer and Mike Jensen escaped the helicopter crash shaken, but uninjured. Mar- cus Jensen suffered a cut lip. The three were pulled from the mountain by a company helicopter approximately two hours after the crash, News Reporter The Squadron 442 Buffalo search and rescue aircraft, already flying in the vicinity, was called in to assist in the rescue at 13:20 a.m. SPECIAL FEATURE Favorite fall recipes Page 24 Allen added that she would have to comply with other accompanying regulations, such as building codes, and obtain coast guard and fisheries approvals. Complaints from West Van- couver retailers, who have been aware of Champagne Tastes, led to Diligenti being fined several mon- ths ago for selling out of her home and without a business license. But while she awaits a decision on her business license, Diligenti continues to do business cut of her newly-renovated boathouse, “They have rights — ! have some, too. I’m just not sure what they are. In the meantime, [ can’t afford to do nothing,’’ explains Diligenti, who supports her family of seven. But retailers are furious that Diligenti has been permitted to continue to compete against them aut of a residential neighborhood and without a business license. But by the time the Buffalo arrived on scene at 11:30 a.m., the rescue was well in hand. The Canadian Aviation Safety Board and Transport Canada are investigating the mishap, The helicopter company’s manager refused to comment on the inci- dent before the investigation is completed. The investigation is expected to be completed in a week. “ICs upsetting to everybody that she doesn’t have to ‘play the game’,’’ says Mary McDiarmid of The Sweater Croft in Park Royal. McDiarmid reported that cus- tomers occasionally say they have seen her merchandise at Cham- pagne Tastes at lower prices. Jan Sharpe of B.J.’s in West Vancouver has also known of cus- tomers coming in to take the style numbers of the clothes they like to then go to Champagne Tastes to order the items. Diligenti denies that she en- courages this, but adds that laws do not dictate the mark-up she chooses to put on a garment, “They're angry because they think I don’t have any overhead, but they don’t have all the facts,’’ said Diligenti, referring to the tax on the boathouse. Sharpe is one of the retailers who has told manufacturers that she won’t buy from them if they Business .............. 35 Classified Ads..........45 Doug Collins........... 9 Comics................40 Dr. Ruth............. continue to ship to Diligenti. She also said she complained to the municipality about Diligenti’s business two years ago, and has seen nothing done. “It’s illegal and they have Jet her get away with it,’ Sharpe says. “T think we should be looking to the municipal council, who re- quires all businesses to have business licenses. How can a business who pleaded guilty in court and paid a fine continue to operate under the noses of our municipal council,’’ wonders Jim Sim of Charmante’s. Allen said Diligenti’s operation is different and poses a new ques- tion for staff now that it is located in the marina-zoned boathouse. Residents are demanding that the marina zoning be changed to residential, but a similar request on the part of former owners of the property was turned down over a year ago. WEATHER Lifestyles..............41 Mailbox........ see eaee 7 Sports ................ 15 TV Listings............ 39 What's Going On........ Second Class Registration Number 3885 Wednesday and Thursday, sunny. Highs near 25°C.