ALM Shh Pt NT tebe! tere ae 40 — Wednesday, March 6, 1996 — North Shore News Peace bi B.C. LANDS and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) have extended an olive branch to North Vancouver District over Mountain Forest. By Jan Noble News Reporter Environment,- Lands and Parks Minister Moe Sihota said the province now takes No position on a CMHC law- suit against the district that B.C, Lands initially backed. Public pressure, he added, is responsible for the shift in B.C, Lands’ position. According to 4 press release from the ministry. representatives of the lands branch want to sit down with the district and setile the issuc “in a fair and equitable man- ner.” The CMHC seems willing to back the idea. Yet while the ministry says it’s open to discussion, it also says a plan to develop 20% of a 206-hectare (510-acre) hold- ing for “environmentally sen- | ¢0 Y UP YOUR HOME _ * washes better than most olf paints * excellent firz rating - won't smoke - zero fuel contribution * acknowleged by quality painters to to be superior and specified by archi “white & pra ‘PRATT & LAMBERT INTERIOR | SEMIGLOSS PRATY & LAMBERT INTERIOR FLAT LATEX eh ue t hiding spniieion * for plaster & drywaii * water claanup * white Bp sis PRATT & LAMSERT INTERIOR O12 SEMI-GLOSS * outstanding veashabil > Pee odour parti ity S39 | Maillot y aies 378 E sitive future residential devel- opment" deserves further review and consideration. tn November, the CMHC, backed by the lands branch of the B.C. environment min- istry, launched a court action against the district for rezon- ing Mountain Forest land owned by CMHC and B.C. Lands to Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PRO). Lisa Muri, a director of the Group United Around Responsible Development (GUARD), said there's noth- ing new in the government's most recent statement. She said GUARD, a driving force behind the effort to protect Mountain Forest, wants the lawsuit dropped. B.C. Lands is a 25% part- ner in any development on the jointly held land, while the CMHC holds a 75% share. According to B.C. Lands executive director Jack Hall, both agencies have sunk a total of $16 million into acquiring the land and plan- ning for the property. Tony Tse, the senior pro- ject manager for CMHC, said he would also like the issue to be settled oul of court. However, he said, no discus- sions have been held among the three parties. He added that simply accepting a cash payment from the district is likely not the answer. Tse said the CMHC plans for the development called for mixed-housing. Revenue received will go toward paying ~ down the federal debt, he said. Tse added the CMHC is will- ing to look at other options to satisfy those objectives. “I'm sure there’s more than one way to skin a cat,” he said. “Hopefully, we can find some kind of common ground.” He said a court trial could start as early as late spring. The district filed a Supreme Court affidavit in its defence on Feb. 9. Buibs Gladiolus - Dahtias Mushroom or Steer Manure 5 bogs for $99 1996 Flower & Vegetable Seeds are now in! - Onion sets - Multiplier Onions - Seed Potatoes Rose Bushes - Hybrid Teas - Floribundas - Grandifloras & Climbers - 100’s to choose from! N.L. Dolo-Plus, Lime ; bags for so” High Quality Biends of Lawn Seed Bird Feeders Teg. prices 30% off Spray your trees now! © Lime Sulphur and Dormant Gil ~ Spray Kit Top Quality Hertage Perennials & Ground - Covers a + great selection to choose from! Liquid Moss Control easy to use i ad Large 36cm ; Clay Pot *2" Great Selection of: - Raspberries - Strawberries + Blueberries - Grape Vines Gorgeous Primulas: + Beautiful Color - Lots of Bloom Half Oak Barrels Have Arrived!