2 ~ North Shore News — Sunday, February 27, 2060 Vo Anna Marie D'Angelo News Reporter adangelo@nsnews.com THE B.C. Court of Appeal con- cluded that North Vancouver District legally discriminated against Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) in down-zoning land in the Seymour area in 1997. North Vancouver District, enacted bylaws in 1995 and 1997 that changed the residential zoning of approximately 478 hectares (1,180 acres) of land in Mountain Forest. About 255 hectares (630 acres) belonged to CMHC. The rest belonged to the municipality, CMHC is a federal Crown corporation that is “not bound by municipal bylaws,” but accepts “as a matter of policy that it will be bound by the bylaws as ifit were a private owner,” according to a judgement released by B.C. Court of Appeal Mr. Justice William Esson on Thursday. A vear ago, CMHC lost a lawsuit chal- lenging the legality of two sets of bylaws that changed CMHC property from resi- dential to Parks Recreation and Open Space zoning. Phe bylaws quashed CMHC’'s plans to build homes on land in the upper reaches ef the Seymour area. CMHC claimed the value of its holdings was $100 million prior to the rezoning. The rezoning caused CMHC to have no use for its land. The bylaws appeased the anti-develop- ment pressure group GUARD (Group United Around Responsible Development) which had a 10,000 name petition in favour of leaving the second- growth forest as wilderness. CMHC argued on appeal that the municipality treated 14 “private parcels” in Mountain Forest and Cove Forest dif- ferenuy from CMHC land. The “private property” and a few oth- ers similarly situated in the Northlands area were bought for home building. The Columnisi returns io News SHE’S baaack! The North Shore’s own weaver of home truths and humour, Shannon Nelson (formerly Humphreys), will return to the pages of the North Shore News next Wednesday (March 1). Nelson, who began writ- ing her Close to Home col- umn for the News back in 1997, retired it temporarily last year to co-host CBC-TV’s In the Company of Women. She will become a regular part of the News’ Wednesday edition. Yard Trimmin CLOSE to Home colum- nist Shannon Nelson municipality exempted the “private prop- erty” from the non-housing development bylaws that affected NVD and CMHC land in the area. CMHC argued that was unlawful dis- crimination by NVD. “T agree it is discrimination, but not that it is unlawful,” wrate Essoa “The circumstances of CMHC are so clearly different from those of the individ- ual owners that if would be unreasonable to not treat them differently.” Esson stated that the district enacted the bylaws to prevent intense development in a large area that hadn't been develuped. B.C. Court of Appeal justices George Curaming and Jan Donald agreed with Esson in dismissing the appeal. District mayor Don Bell was pleased that the court had affirmed that the municipality had acted properly. CMHC senior project manager Tony ‘Tse was unavailable to press time. Taxpayers have ultinutely footed the bill for the court actions. Protesters vowed action Fram page SPEC and Friends of Stanley Park had claimed the Vancouver Park Board did not have the authority to cut 22 trees greater than 12 inches in diameter (30 cm) along with smaller trees for widening the causeway. The judge said that even if SPEC and Friends of Stanley Park were right, Vancouver City had the authority and sup- ported the move. The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) and Friends of Stanley Park tock the Vancouver Park Board to court after it backed the road work last Monday. During a stormy and emotional meeting, the park board voted to permit the causeway to be widened and the cutting of about 40 trees in the park. Park preservationists claimed the pack board overstepped its powers by agreeing to give up park land for road widen- ing. The S$15-million causeway revamp will widen lanes to highway standards and complement roadwork being done in the Lions Gate Bridge refit. To press time Friday, the Bicycle People had called for opponents to the widening to gather at the causeway on Saturday in order to form a human chain on the road. According to a press release, the action was planned in order “to save Stanley Park from the chain saws of the NPA dominated park board.” Hewe eneuns oF On March 1 Weekly. is back on The North Shore’s Yard and Garden Trimmings Collection Program is back for a 3rd year! gs Collection e North Shore Disirict of North Vancouvar 990.3830 Starting March 1, those residents receiving weekly curbside garbage pickup can put out an unlimited number of clear plastic bags* or tied bundles of grass clippings, leaves and flowers as well as plant, tree er hedge trimmings for pickup. Before 7:30 am on your regular garbage day, put your yard and garden trimmings out in clear (uncoloured) plastic bags* or tied bundles, next to your garbage and recycting. City of North Vancouver 987.7155 Oistrict of West Vancouver 929.3416 NS Recycling ICBC HAS A TEAM OF LAWYERS, SHOULDN'T YOU? * All claims have time limits & * Documents you sign can ie be used against you. Taylor & Blair GARRISTERS & SOLICITORS* Program Need more information? Call your municipality at: 102-145 West 15th St. North Van 983-4311 MS werw.taylorandblair.com t FREE CONSULTATION Graham Taylor Kevin Blair * Clear bags are availabfe at many local grocery, hardware, nursery and drug stores. For informatcr. on composting and grasscycting, call the NSRP it 984.9730. RRSP GAME PLAN Two-thirds of Canadians don’t have a financial retirement plan. Sc, whether you're just getting started, you're building a solid plan, or retirement is on the horizon, North Shore Credit Union financial advisors can help you make a meve towards Financial Wellness. Unril February 29th - Move On These RRSP Sol utions! * RRSP Loans at Prime Rate * Monthly Deposit RRSPs * Premium Rate and Cashable Term Deposits (3 d RRSP lution * Mutual Funds * Full Brokerage Service including Stocks and Bonds * Self-Directed RRSPs ¢ RRIFs , etvi way You fa) In-branch advisors, TeleConsultants at 713-3000 or 1-888-713-NSCU (6728) or on-line at WWW.NSCU.Ca * Uterm deposit rates are higher on February 29, 2000 than on your dare of purchase, we guarantee you the higher rate. You Belong Here NORTH SHORE CREDIT UNION Mutual funds are offered through Credential Asset Managemen: Inc. and mutual funds and other securities are offered through Credential Securities Inc. Those companies are > subsidiaries of Credit Union Centrai of Canada. Mutual funds and other securities are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Credential Securities is a Member - CIPF.