hesstscoseceeeeresseess sensenenesece 24 Occupetion........done instrector Plocas travelled.............Europe, - Ukraine, California Martial arts centre to get parking lot By Deana Lancaster Contributing Writer THE martial arts centre that infuriated focal envi- ronmetalists last year will be getting a paved park- ing lot. - Despite arguments from Coun. Stella Jo Dean and Coun. Bob Fearnley, North Vancouver City Council decided to borrow $40,000 from the Off-Street Parking Reserve Fund to construct a parking lot on West 2nd at Fell Ave. The lot is to service customers of a body shop, tire shop, and the soon-to-be constructed Rainbow Martial Arts Centre. The centre sparked controversy last year because of its close proximity to Mosquito Creek, home to a few coho salmon aid cutthroat trout. During debate Dean accused council of “medieval think- ing” for not protecting the creek side. “We don’t think of being good stewards,” she said of council. “According to a staff report, the hard-surfaced parking area would be created 15 metres (50 ft.) from the top of the bank. Cars already use the area for parking and it’s also the site of some ille- gal dumping. The proposal includes a fence to fimit access to the creek, Com. Darrell Mussatto said the parking lot would be an improvement because oil and contaminants are presently able to leach into the creck through the gravel surface. | SAMES POYNER Lawyer Free initial Consultation 988-6321 f 408-145 Chadwick Court N. Van. (Lonsdale Quay Plaza) Funds push parking over pedalling By Deana Lancaster Contributing Writer NORTH Vancouver City council often claims to favor walx- ing, cycling and bus- riding alternatives to the car. But given the opportunity to ser aside some money for those options, it has chosen instead to put the money inte a parking fund. The money in question, about $116,000, has been collected from building own- ers who have had extra suites legalized but are unable to provide parking spaces for the units. In areas near Lower and Central Lonsdale, the city has collected $14,500 per space. The fund is for a “parking structure.” That fund now totals more than $700,000. But mioncy collected in other areas of the city (the $126,000) hus no home. Council recently expressed interest in a motion put for- ward by resident David Perfitt and stated it wanted to com- plete its sidewalk grid, build more urban trails, improve bicycle routes and enhance transit services. Staff recom- mended the money be used to create 2 new fund, the Transportation Alternatives Fund. On March 3, council voted against creating the find 5-2. During heated discussion, Coun. Barbara Perrault said the money should be car- marked for parking. “Anybody who thinks we don’: need more parking in the City of North Vancouver is living in a bubble,” she said. Perfitt, a cable splicer for B.C. Tel and a two-wheeled commuter, said he is looking at the bigger picture: “In the city’s own official community plan and the G *s livabilt- ty strategies it is a goal to reduce car use. But people love their cars, so (council is) avoiding dealing with these issues.” He pointed to B.C. Hydro’s PowerSmart pro- gram as a workable strategy. “Instead of building, more dams tu create more power for people, they teach them to use it more efficiently.” He said council should be “People are always saying that if there was an alternative to taking their cars they would. But the city appears unwilling to provide such alternatives.” — Cova. Darrell Mussetia teaching residents to use their vehicles more efficiently iather than building more parking for them. Coun. Darrell Mussatto agreed. “People are always saying that if there was an alternative to raking their cars they would. Rut the city appears unwilling to provide such alternatives.” Coun. Barbara Sharp said the defeat of the metion “flies in the face of both the city’s strategic plan and what this council has already approved as their policy on transporta- tion. If this municipality is to ever ... show some leadership regarding alternate forms of transit, now, not later, is the time to do so. “The city should walk its talk, not drive its talk,” she said. a V6, auto, nicely equipped Hier == 985-0591 VANTASTIC Sars] VALUES) 4 ° wo wy Brand new ~-.-:| 1996 Previa. 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