42 - Wednesday, December 9, 1992 - North Shore News Blasting study sparks new develepment approach A FRESH approach to developing subdivisions in West Vancouver has emerged as an offshoot of a citizens’ task force study cf West Vancouver’s controversial blasting and soil removal bylaws. A report was presented by task force chairman Coun. Don Grif- fiths at the Nov. 16 meeting of West Vancouver Disirict Council, and portions of it were referred to the municipal solicitor and various advisory bodies for comment. In addition to providing amendments to reduce and control blasting in building lot excava- tions, the task force exarnined what the community wants to see in developments and how to achieve such goals during the ini- tial stages of subdivision planning. “We can neither continue to judge results in hindsight nor as individuals,’’ Griffiths told coun- ‘cil. ‘It is essential that the com- munity as a whole establish guidelines for future size, planning and construction of single-family homes." Griffiths pushed for bylaw amendments that would address the immediate problems caused by blasting and soi! removal. “We need to have the tools — now — to stop people from creating flat lots out of our beautiful hillside iandscapes,"’ he said. But the task force also conclud- ed that blasting is more a safety than a development issue, and one that can be controlled through various technical regulations, The task force concluded that By Maureen Curtis Contributing Writer while blasting has been associated with poor development, en- vironmental destruction and potential danger to the surround- ing neighborhood, it is a “tool,” that can be used to the communi- ty’s benefit or detriment. Properly monitored, blasting can safely and quickly assist in the creation of natural looking lots or to help a house ‘fit’ more snug- ly and Sess obtrusively into a lot, the task force noted. Blasting should not, they decid- ed, be used to create more space underground, much of which is not included in the floor-area calculation. The task force anticipted that the district would enact new soil removal regulations, but noted that additional regulations are not always effective when applied to steep irregular lots being devel- oped above the Upper Levels Highway. Instead, the community should evaluate its standards and its goals, the task force recom- mended, The task force fisted four basic characteristics that it considered the most desirable in a neighbor- “hood: Board selects new chairman WEST VANCOUVER school trustees chose a new board chairman and vice- chairman at the Dec. 7 West Vancouver District 45 school board mecting. Trustee Peter Bradshaw was elected chairman and trustee Jean Ferguson was elected vice-chair- man of the board — both unani- mously. “Td particularly like to thank (trustee) Barbara Howard for her stint as chairperson, and chairing through several very long and quite difficult meetings,’’ Brad- shaw said. “t certainly hope that I’m as able to do as well as she’s done,” he added, INCLUDES PARTS & LABOUR Most Chrysler (ES WEST VANCOUVER SCHOOL BOARD The board's appointments of representatives to committees and organizations were also announc- ed: @ Ferguson will chair the educa- tion committee; © trustee Margot Furk will chair the financial planning committee; @ Howard will chair the perzsan- nel conrmitice; ® trustee David Stevenson will chair the policy and long-range planning committee; @ Bradshaw will chair the com- mittee for public relations and communications. Includes: * Drain & replace oil © Replace filter Lube chassis © Inspect CV Joints & seals © Check: lights, horns, wipers & tire pressure | OFFER EXPIRES DEC. 30/92 st poiNt INSPECTION INCLUDED AT NO CHARGE 980-8501 HOURS: MON.-THUR. 7: 30-8: 30pm FRI. 7:30-6pm, SAT. 8:30-5:00pm WEST VANCOUVER DISTRICT COUNCIL @ Variety — in houses and lots, but compatible. @ Privacy — typically through landscaping, house location and orientation. @ Natura! feature preservation — unculverted creeks and undisturb- ed rock outcroppings and unusual vegetation. @ Identity — ‘the particular cor- relations between neighborhood and surrounding environment. The task force recommended that planning procedures for sub- divisions should be reviewed and changed to require explicit pre- planning, including analysis of the overall site and environment and an outline of measures to minimize site disturbance. Policies must be formed that deal both with existing neighbor- hoods (where preserving existing character with minimal disruption is important) and undeveloped areas, where the task force believes there should be a more flexibile approach to each lot. The success of these changes would depend on educating devel- epers, builders, municipal staff and the community on West Van- couver’s development objectives. How To Avoid The Space Race at Lonsdale Quay Kiarket. RQ Lon More than 1,000 parking spaces around Lonsdale Quay Marker await. We'll pay you to get to know them. During business hours, when you park in the ICBC parkade or one of the IMPARK or City lots (see map} that surround Lonsdale Quay you can get a Market Dollar. Here's how: Select a parking spot. Purchase your ticket from the dispenser or attendant. Bring the receipt portion to our Customer Service Desk. We'll give you one Marker Dollar redeemable with purchase at all merchants and restaurants (alcohol excluded). We will continue to offer two hours of free validated parking in our underground parkade. Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines. Ra TR RET: ae “pen 7 days a week 9:30-6:30, Late Night Shopping ‘til 9pm from Déc. 10, =M A ene 1 BODY SHOP 980- 5423 CUSTOMER CARE § “a soeanes KA Mopar} Phone 985-2191 Restaurants open later