denies casino linkage REPORTS THAT the Squamish Nation -had signed a deal to develop a casino with Rockwealth International Resource Corp. are incorrect, said Chief Philip Joe, land administrator for the Squamish Nation; _ :Rockwealth recently issued a news release claiming it had an agreement to develop a casino on eight acres of . Squamish land adjacent to the Sea to Sky Highway. “There is no oe eee with the Squamish Nation,” said Joe, who also heads the Squamish Economic, Develop- ment Committee. Said Joe’in-a news release, “Only the: Squamish Council has the authority to make such an agreement, and the council has, never- met with Rockweaith or its representa- 4 Joe said the Squamish . : -Council'does have-an agree- “ ment to explore development. possibilities which might include a casino, but the band’s ‘deal is with Northwestern Gaming Corporation of Minneapolis, Minn. «Joe .noted that. the “Rockwealth news. release escribed a “Las Vegas-style high-stakes casino.” “This. is not the sort of development we would con- “sider,” Joe said. “If we pro- ceed, our intention. would be to create a heritage centre that would combine native arts and culture with tourist and enter- tainment attractions, it would. “be a: First Nations project, sim- ilar to -Mystic.: Lake in Minnesota and Foxwoods in Connecticut.” He added that no action would. be taken until the- Squamish Nation had complet- ed “a full program of public information and consultation -with the municipality involved and until all government approvals were in place.” ‘Approval doesn’t seem to © .be forthcoming from one North Shore MLA... _ -Independent David ‘Mitchell (West Vancouver- Garibaldi) said that he has written.a letter to Joe stating his “grave concerns” about any casino-hotel complex the Squamish Nation might be considering. “First of all, it must be noted that gambling for profit is against the law in our ' province,” Mitchell wrote inva letter. “fam a firm believer in the principle that our laws must apply to all citizens of British Columbia.” Mitchell said he believes - gambling is “detrimental to - the fabric of our society” and that he doesn’t believe British Columbians need it, either downtown at the government’s proposed Vancouver water-' front development. or on Squamish fand. “My strong preference is that we should concentrate on - our natural competitive advan- | tages, rather than secking to | emulate the ‘quick-fix’ busi- , nesses which are becoming so | prevalent elsewhere.” : ~] Mega- -home bylaws stir debate Fron page 1 Proposed amendment) the process will take a minimam of five years, In the meantime, Byliw 6645 intended to protect existing neigh- borhoods from infill development that is out of character with the neighborhood, “The draft bylaw proposes to regulate the height of infill develop- ment to the height of the existing structure unless a development variance permit is approved. “That involves notification of the neighbors and an opportunity for them to review the height of the proposed addition and hopefully keep the house in character with the surrounding neighborhood,” said Torry: Petitions with hundreds of sig- natures in support of the bylaw pro- posals were submitted. However, it was immediately apparent that not everyone support- ed the proposed bylaw amendments when Torry read motions from the district's Advisory Planning Commission (APC) into the recard which recommended that council reject the bylaws. The APC argued that the pro- posals do “not respond to an articu- lated problem” and suggested that retaining or increasing density may be a more socially responsible com- munity design. The APC also said that the pro- posed height.and bulk restrictions reduce design freedom and that the social and financial consequences of Bylaw 6645 “may be severe and inequitable.” The applause that followed the reading of the APC motions indi- cated that perhaps as many as 100 people in the room agreed. But the first part of the meeting geoerally belonged to those who supported the bylaw proposals and the majority obviously relished tiles of municipal incompetence and resulting monster homes loam- ing over previously idyllic back- yards, T.G. Lyneh recounted his battle with the district over the legality of the size of his neighbor's house. [t ended in court. “just like Don Quixote [ fect | made the windmill shudder a bit but it beat me in the end,” said Lynch, urging the crowd to continue the fight. “Just like Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Indians 1 will fight no more forever, but I'm glad that somebody eise is,” he said. Edgemont Village resident Corrie Kost raised legal precedents from England and the United States when he referred to the European tradition of Ancient Lights and the American doctrine of Prior Appropriations and suggested that the first to build should enjoy a prior claim to sualight. Kost argued that mega-homes “would seem to run contrary” to the DR. FLORA KIRIGIU wishes to announce the opening of her new general : practise of Dentistry. (languages spoiien: French, Spanish, Romanian, Italian) Plaza 15 Dental Clinic Suite 202, 145 W. 15th St., N. Van. aims of the district’s Oficial Community Plan that seek “to pre- serve and protect North Vancoue ver’s natural setting” and “retain the generally forested character of the community. “Pbelieve in traditions, It is character that adds 10 a sense of neighborhood and a sense of place,” said Kost. Many speakers made references lo statements made by realtors in News stories prior to the hearings thal suggested property values | would decrease because of the pro- posed regulations. And Sunset Boulevard resident David Pickering challenged the Real Estate Board to produce its research that proved real estate val- ues would fallin the event the guidelines were to be passed. Brenda Kinnear, President of the North Vancouver Division of the Real Estate Board of Vancouver, did not produce facts and figures, but refused to back down from an impopular position, “We strongly protest the sensa- tionalizing of this issue inte ‘nion- ster homes’ and the disparagement of realtors on the North Shore.” she said. Kinnear said her board saw the proposed bylaws infringing on property rights and wondered aloud whether they violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. “We see that these bylaw changes are draconian in their application to existing (housing) stocks and inconsistent in their application to district-owned lands which are exempt from the restric- tions,” charged Kinnear: Council adjourned the hearing at ‘11 p.m. It will be reconvened at dis- trict hall on April 26 following other public hearings at 7 p.m. District resident Bob Young found council's decision to hold the meeting there “ludicrous.” The hall atrium can accommodate only 100 people. 11: 30 am to 12:00 am Come dine and dance the night away. 1200 Park Royal South for reservations or information call 922-5311 a (located behind Park Royal Bowling Ce entre) aon To AVOID THE BRIDGE ON MONDAY MORNING. | You'll receive: RES Been st re HY : @ Deluxe Sunday night accommodation for two. ‘> Dinner for two at Chartwell. ¢% Continental breakfast “In Bed” for wo. 6 Complimentary valet parking. e Health club facilities. | Imagine an exquisite dinner in Chattwell Sunday night, Anda Monday morning where the only rush is to the continental breakfast delivered 10 you in bed. 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