Annette Martin Contributing Writer TALES of trespass in Deep Cove have resur- faced at North Vancouver District Hall. At issue is a proposed licence-to-oceupy fora garage situated on district-owned street end property adjacent to 4793 Strathcona Road. Council addressed the issue most recently on Dec. 1) and B. Property owner — Leslie Brown told council that when he .bought his. triangular- shaped lot 24 years ago, lie was aware that the property's exist- ing garage encroached on dis- tinct property, but he was pre- pared to ignore the irregularity to live on the waterfront. The property is now up for sale.and Brown has requested the licence to “regularize” the garage. He has complied with council's request to remove a fence, basketball hoop and shed that were also on district land. A proposed 10-year, S500 per annum licence fee for the garage is considered by some residents to be low. Maureen Bragg, a Draycott Road resident, said, “The municipality is strapped for cash yet the practice is to con- tinue to under value and give away che community's most valuable asset, which is land.~ Corrie Kost of Cobvood Drive asked council, “Would you allow your neighbour to puta two-car garage on your property for a rental payment of $500 per vear? “Would vou even allow a ear to be ¢ parked on your prop- erty for 75 cents per day?” ‘Coun. Ernie Crist has requested a comprehensive report into all current occupa- tions and trespasses of district lands. He asked that such a report specify how often occupants or trespassers are challenged to pay the 7.5 per cent of the leasehold value per annum to the district, and answer why some property owners have paid only a nominal $10 or have been even been exempted from payment. “We must come to grips with this once and for ail,” said Crist. Richard Zerr, director of community planning, building, properties and environmental services admitted to council that under current policy, tres- pass issués are only dealt with following complaints or when an incident is brought to staffs Notice. Bragg objected to the tim- ing of Brown's application, telling council that, “The only reason this genteman has con- fessed to nearly 30 years of occupation of public lands. is because he wants to sell.” In the past, council has granted licences-to-occupy for structures within road allowances. Existing policy stares, “An owner of land wishing to erect a new structure, or where there is an existing. structure (car- port/garage/storage shed) sit- uated on an abutting portion of municipal land or boulevard, shall obtain a licence-to-occupy in the standard form and pay a monthly licence fee in tine with the rental value of the land uti- lized as though it were not 3 dedicated road. The rental fee shall be 7.5 per cent of the pro- rata assessed value and shali be adjusted annually to reflect any increase in assessed value.” Icis this 7.5 per cent fee that hasni’t been applied consistently in the district. Brown's assessed rental of S500 per annum does- n't fit the 7.5 per cent figure of the value ofa waterfront lot. He asked council to permit regularization of his garage because he isn’t: asking any compensation for a district sewer ling running across 69 metres of his property. But Bragg told council that lowering Brown's rent to a nominal amount because of the sewer line is irresponsible. She said, “{f that is the case, then to be fair any district resi- dent who has a sewer line alongside or on their property line should have their taxes greatly reduced.” Don Sigston, manager of building, properties and bylaw services, agreed that there is no statutory right of way for the sewer line on the Strathcona property. But he added, “If Mr. Brown wants to continue to flush, he probably won't pursue the matter in court.” Coun. Janice Harris wants to see fair market value paid for an easement but suggested that in this particular case, where the shape of the resident's property permits no road allowance, council has to be reasonable. Coun. Heather Dunsford told council, “Parking on that street is dismal, miserable. It beats Panorama Drive. Keeping the garage gets HVE more cars off that street.” Ultimate Spa Gift for Ch Christmas - Ultimate Getaway Daz Pedicure, Ta j “ massage, facial, exfohalion, makeup, catered fee | ‘rs. $199 Holiday Cheer Eurepean facial / manicure / pedicure, V2 he. massage. Shes. . . $99 Hot Rock 'n Relax Hot rock masta mnanicuns ficurs wflavender mask. Shes. $125 Quick] FIXES ” tal @ are Foclg 3 2 Pads = now $69 Manicure & Pedicure“. . reg. S38 now $45 1 Houe Massage . ae (102-585 16TH STREET = WEST VANCOUVER, B.C. 925-1074 5 = www. beliissimaspa.com Friday, December 22, 2000 — North Shore Naws - 9 Deen Cove garage sparks trespass Inquit Coun. Doug MacKay- Dunn agreed, commenting thar, “This is the lesser evil.” Mayor Don Bell said that Brown's lot had the right w road access, bur he tele the rental fee should be higher. “The rent is unduly low and should be at feast double,” he said. Some of the issues of encroachment on public water- front property will | be addressed by the Waterfront Task Force, but Zerr told coun- cil that it will be several weeks until staff have gathered all rel- evant information. On Dee. 11, council voted 4-3 to pass third reading of a bylaw proposing a licence-to- occupy for the garage at 4793 Strathcona Rd., with Bell, Crist and = MacKay-Dunn voting ayainst. However, when the bylaw was returned for final reading and adoption at the Dec. 18 meeting, Zerr recommended deferral of the bylaw. He sug- gested thar legal counsel had not had a chance to review the proposed licence. Also, findings from the Waterfront Task Force could have an impact on the proposed bylaw. A motion for staff to report on the status Gf all wespasses on district land passed unanimously. LEATHERMAN THE ORIGINAL TOOL. A COUPLE THOUSAND USES Great Gift! PULSE™ PERFECT CORPORATE Compicte line of Leatherman Tools In stock We also bave a large selection of CROSS Pens * Knile & Scissor Sharpening * Key Cutting « Engraving © Watch batteries instalied Cam House of Keys) Lynn Valley Centre 980-7563 RS FRAMING & ART - ith this ad. 0 a wit (Min. ‘59 order. Offer expires Jan. 15101) Your Custom Framing Specialists j_Ron Osterbauer Stocking We 1.210-16th St. ‘at Bellevue), W. Van 925-9711 ng Stuffers Have! - from $3.75. "Richard & Artie invite you to visit cheir handcraft shop just east of at the workshop i in 1983 and : “has been creating sought after’ - woodcarvings there ever since. 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