-* Page 18, June 14, 1978 - North Shore News. -

. Dear} Editor:

The changes to the Muni-
cipal Act recently proposed
by Victoria make it easiet for
developers to push through
their fast ‘buck schemes in
the communities. They also
curtail long © establighed
voting rights. .

‘Up until now, any rezoning
application in a municipality
required a two-thirds major-
ity to become effective. Even
with this safeguard, it has
been difficult to stop harmful
rezoning. Developers. usually
make sure their interests are

well represented and that.
their spokesmen on councils ©

are in the majority. -
Still, mainly as a result of

public pressure and with the

help of a few community-.

oriented aldermen, some of -
the more ruinous develop- |
ments have been: stopped. .

But, with the © proposed
_change, this will be almost
impossible.. Instead of a
two-thirds. majority, only a
simple majority | will ~ be

required; what little protec-

tion neighborhoods: had from
being ‘ploughed ‘under’ will
be virtually eliminated.

The danger will be partic-
ularly acute in municipalities

which do not have a long -

Dear Editor:

Having lived in North Van
for 64 yrs and paid taxes on

my property for 39 yrs. I.
consider this latest increase

the biggest rip off yet that

~ Display havering Sells

term community plan or.
‘active neighborhood | partici-

_ pation
‘process. Public participation
in planning provides | some
protection against the vor-
acious appetites of develop-
ers.
councils, |
tooth and nail against the
idea. of. community partici- —
pation in planning. They |

in the planning»

_Developer-oriented
of course,

prefer that the people be

kept in the dark as much as

possible. This enables devel-
opers.to press for and pursue

. their own profitable plans.

For instance,’ in the Dis-
trict. of North . ‘Vancouver,
developers bought land in
*“Hidden Valley’’. for less
than $50,000. Even’ before
development. started, the
value: of that 1:
increased to. $400,000. (All

this in an ecologically sensi-
‘tive area which should never
had_ been developed in - the
‘first place.)

Another proposed change
‘in-the Act is that municipal
representatives on the GVRD
will be elected by municipal
councils. rather than the
taxpayers. This method is.

contrary to a long established
principle of direct election of.

government by the People.

has ever. been perpetrated
against the: home owners » of

this city. .

This year my net tax. is
$645.49. Last year it was
$431.49 for a difference of
$214. 00. |

980-051 1

Most . “right wing | “and : the costly fast buck schemes 7
| - developer-oriented council — of the developers. a 980- 3464
-members have never made ;
any bones about their. feel- Ernie Crist: 3 86- 6 2 2 2
ings towards the GVRD; they | North Vancouver

: will be able.to ‘reform’ it and
‘make the Livable. Region

fight | Program more ‘realistic’ to.

_ because, under its program .
of long term planning for the
Lower. Mainland, developers

are also. objecting to the

to change that too and. build

-: proposed - these. changes" in
the Municipal Act;
- wing Council members ‘will
now be able to accommodate.

and had-

‘people can do to. protect
. themselves. Vote for .pro-
gressive candidates during

a oft the. ‘neighborhoods before

fashion home interiors Lto

1308 w. BROADWAY

are now. jubilant. that they

suit their own needs: They
are critical of the GVRD.

GVRD proposals to save the
North. Shore mountains for,
future recreation; they want

} UCAN Sundeck Coating _

another West End to make a
_ fast buck.

It’s. obvious © why “the
Socreds in Victoria have

Right:

their developer friends even
more easily; and make it look
-*democratic’.

Still. there 1s / something

© PROTECTS - EA .
* EASY TOAPPLY - A R Le

* NHAAPPROVED . VALUE ¢
© LONGLASTING | 10'x 10"

¢ COLOURFUL
© TOUGH
© RESILIENT

next November’ S municipal © WATERPROOFS

elections — candidates who
will put Community interests
and the peace and tranquility

AN INCREASE OF 50%.

Lest we forget, 5/8 select T-G Fir Ideal for Rain Stain - The number Still_a fow vaiitys left in,
A.S. Lewis, 7 new sundecks $15.49 one Latex stain $12.95 gal. stock. ‘While they last save.
North Vancouver 7 7 30%.

“OVER 175 DIFFERENT PANELS TO CHOOSE FROM ©

Just off Main & Mtn. Hwy,

[across from the Lynnwood Hotel 985-5652

_ MUCH MORE THAN JUST PLYWOOD |

“There are 10 Windsor stores on the tower mainiand
neluding: Vancouver Burnab
y-open Sundays
1601 West 2nd 1490 Boundary Ad.

738-9717 209-5914

a

eons

Drapes and Reupholstering Delivery Service _
a on all fabrics in Vancouver stock.
7 Wallcovering demonstration by Decorlux

‘Linda of Decorlux will be on hand to show you the
simple and .easy technique of wallpapering |
Saturday, June 17/78, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Special 6 days only
25% OFF till Juno 21st, 1978

Free estimates with sample Van. to your door.

“4

Lynn Valley Rd & Mountain Hwy. N. Van 7 ae
988-1220 or 988-1525 | i

RS