& - Wedoesday, February 3, 1988 - North Shore News MaILBox Collins’ blood could Cause an Dear Editor: In one of his columins Doug Col- lins laments that his offer to donate blood was refused. And quite rightly, too. There is a poem which relates how, in ancient times, a dragon was halted in its tracks by an amiable hound, which then, horri- fyingly, became a dragon itself. We have here, then, a warning precedent. To allow such blood to be transfused into the community could cause an upheaval of the first magnitude. In my mind's eye I see raging mobs of dragons dragging bureaucrats away in tumbrils, battering down post of- ‘TAXES UNFAIR’ Privatize Dear Editor: We should take a lesson from the successes taking place around the world and privatize our libraries, thus freeing them from the rigid control of the bureaucratic structure. Taxes inflicted on people who do not choose to use the library service are unfair, and consumers are deprived of choice because potential competitors cannot com- pete with a tax-supported monopo- ly with unlimited funds. Private libraries, subject to the competition of the marketplace, would be more responsive to the needs of readers, and one can vi- ‘upheaval’ fices, houses of Parliament besicg- ed, Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney forced to flee permanently to Nicaragua,newspaper headquarters in flames, Revenue Canada and CBC demolished. It seems obvious that the matron who refused him had orders from higher up to check the spread of this virus. There is more to this story than is apparent on the sur- face. But by now all correspondence has doubtless been shredded and the evidence destroyed,and we can only guess at the truth behind this mysterious affair. M. Mott New Westminster libraries sualise, for instance, special pur- pose libraries catering to the needs of consumers for a particular type of subject. Government libraries, by trying to be ali things to all people, cannot offer this specialization and consequently make it uneconomic for others to do so. Privatization would also help us to guard against the censorship which can occur when special in- terest groups are able to influence government and dictate the subject matter to be made available. Bill Tomlinson North Vancouver ILOSE WEIGHT IS] 6:30 P.M. - | FIVE NIGHTS ONLY: : “e SURREY: Sun. Feb. 7, Surrey: Ini “@ COQUITLAM: Mon. Feb. 8: Best Western Coquitiam : Motor: Inn | * LADNER: Tues. Feb. 9° Delta. Town & Country Inn © VANCOUVER: Wed. Feb. 10° Sandman Hotel ~@ RICHMOND: Thurs. Feb. Ws Richmond Inn vr break, we will refund your entire fee." nN WHAT CLIENTS SAY: | “My wife and I attended the no smoking session 18,.months ago. The 8h: $3000.. we saved is paying for a month's: accommodation in Hawaii”. “I smoked 2-3 packs a day for over 45- years, Attended May26/85 and | quit.”” 1 successfully lost over 30 pounds in 4 taonths. I KNOW IT. WORKS!” “«y was a 3 pack a day smoker and quit.” , * Within 2 months I lost 30 pounds.” © Copyrena (1907) MVP, Ue, .SEE SUNDAY TV TIMES JAN. 29 TO FES. 5 ISSUE THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER 2/4 REGISTRATION OF ILLEGAL SUITES IN PROGRESS FEE WAIVER EXTENDED TO MARCH 31, 1988 TO NORTH VANCOUVER DISTRICT RESIDENTS: In response to numerous communily concerns, your Municipal Council has adopted new policies ad- dressing the matter of illegal suites in single family homes. This has proven to be a difficult and con- tentious issue affecting most municipalities throughout the Lower Mainland. As you may know, second suites have been and continue to be illegal in all cases in single famity homes. Council proposed to legalize second suites which provide accommodation for famity members. This change was consistent with similar legislation in neighbouring municipalities allowing intaw suites. The new bylaw adopted in July of last year, however, resulted in a legal challenge and the change to allow family suites in our Zoning Bylaw was quashed in the courts. We are appealing that decision but at this time we cannot differentiate between suites occupied by family and other illegal suites. As your elected representatives, we have attempted to deal with this very difficult problem in a fair and reasonable manner. This municipality is not alone in addressing the problem and the majority of Council have stated that they are not prepared to be the only municipality in the Lower Mainland to legalize second suites in all single farmily homes. There is strong concern that if second suites were legalized in all circumstances, we would be inviting a total breakdown of our single family areas. On the other hand, it is recognized that a number of illegal suites exist now and were constructed outside the law. We estimate that 2,000 units or some 10% of our single family homes contain illegat suites. Even if it were physically possible, we would not be acting responsibly to evict that many suite oc- cupants at one time in consideration of the major effect it would have on both tenants and landlords. Your Municipal Council has therefore adopted a Registered Sllegal Suite Policy to allow for a gradual phase-out of iflegal suites. The specifics of that policy include: 1. Appiications for registrations of iHegal suites will only be accepted until April 20, 1988. 2. Inspections will take place to ensure that illegal suites meet basic health and safety standards. If the applicant wishes to utilize the Municipality's inspection services, a fee of $200 is charged. However, that fee will be waived if you apply by March 31, 1988. 3. Al least two off-street parking spaces must be provided in homes containing illegai suites. 4, Starting in 1988, payment of an annua! fee equivalent to water user and sewer charges for an addi- tional residential unit. For the full year of 1988, this fee will be $132.38. §. Suites that meet these conditions can then become Registered Illegal Suites, upon signing of an agreement with the District of North Vancouver. 6. Action to enforce the Zoning Bylaw against Registered Illegal Suites will be temporarily deterred until June 30, 1995 at the latest, so long as terms of the agreement entered into with the District of North Vancouver ar: fulfilled. While thors has been cor siderable discussion and opinion put forward sbout our Zoning Bylaw, you should be aware that the courts have upheld It on a number of occasions. After April 30, 1988, on rocoipt of written complaint, the municipality will enforce Its Zoning Bylaw against those Slegal suties not registered. Therefore, If you have an unregistered suite sfter April 30, 1988, please note that you run the risk of having it shut down should the munictpziity become aware of Its existence. Upon reading the information trom our Building Department on registration of illegal suites, you may havé some additional questions. Information on our policies and implementation procedures as well as application forms can be obtained from the Municipal Hall by contacting the Property Use Inspec- tor's Office at 984-4161, During the process of consideration of the best course of action to take in regard to illegal suites, there was discussion of different population groups whose housing needs have seemingly not been adequately ‘met in the housing market. Such groups include students, widowed seniors and single parents. In-order to devise policies which will assist in providing adequate housing for all residents, Council has requested that staff undertake a study on housing alternatives during 1988. The opinions of all affected groups will be sought. Additional information on this study can be obtained from the Social Planner at 987-7131, : MAYOR AND COUNCIL ’ DISTRICT OF NORTH VANCOUVER ;/APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF ILLEGAL SUITES In order to implement Council's policy to permit the gradual phase-out of ivegal suites, the following procedures have been adopted. APPLICATION PERIOD BEGAN ~~ NOVEMBER 1, 1987 ENDS — APRIL 30, 1988 No Applications WII! Be Accepted After April 30, 1988 If you do not apply to register your suite by April 30, 1988 and the municipality receives a complaint, you will be subject to enforcement of the Zoning Bylaw to ensure closure of the suite. inspections inspections will take place to ensute that illegal suites meet basic health and safety standards. The necessary inspections can be carried out by Municipal staff, or by a registerec professional engineer, a registered architect or a certified building Inspector employed by the applicant. Fees ‘if the applicant wishes to utilize the Municipality's ins 's inspection services, a fee of $200 will be charged. : H ‘ However, that fee will be waived for those who apply by March 31, 1988. If the applicant employs a registered professionali engineeer, a registered architect, or a certified building . : ; inspector, the fee will be set by the contracting parties. Agreement with Owner An existing itlegal suite may be accepted as a Registered IIlegal Suite provided that it meets the re- . quirements established by the municipality, including compliance with health and safety requirements, provision of a minimum of two off-street parking spaces and payment of an annual fee equivalent to s © the water and sewer charges for an additional residential unit. Upon registration, an agreement will be signed in which the District will undertake to defer action in respect of the suite on the basis of its illegal existence in a single family residential building for a period of up to June 30, 1995 as follows: a. Should the ownership of the property change after June 30, 1993, the agreement will be terminated as of the date of ownership change. ; b. Regardiess of ownership, the agreement will be terminated on June 30, 1995 at the latest. The applicant will agree to observe the conditions of the agreement, which will be registered as a covenant against-the property. Failure to comply with all conditions may result in the cancellation of the agreement. Upon termination of the agreement, the building and property must be returned to tawful single family residential use. A fee of $25 will be charged to pay the cost of registering the agreement in the Land Titie Office. Phase Out If ownership changes after June 30, 1993, the suite must be immediately eliminated. All other suites are to be phased out by June 30, 1995 at the latest. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Full information as well as application forms to register illegal suites is available at the Municipal Hall. For application forms, infermation and explanation contact: Property Use Inspector's Office, Building Department 355 West Queens Road, North Vancouver, B.C. V7N 2K9 Telephone: 984-4164 : Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (except statutory holidays). -