4 — Friday, May 7, 1999 - North Shore News Ferry debt cap balloons to over a billion Kevin Gillies News Reporter THE BC Ferry Corporation debt cap officially increased by $375 million -— to $1.35 billion — Wednesday when the government passed Bill 53 in the legislarure. The Budget Implementation Act -- an omnibus bill including several spending issues — allowed new borrowing which adds $103 million more spending, on the fast ferry pro- gram: $105 million to build wo new regular terries; $47 miliion tor terminal upgrades; $61 million for additional capital spending and another $57 million for maintenance. ‘The opposition said the ferry corporation's debt has ballooned by $1 billion since the NDP Did you took office in 1991. “Obviously they have not made any plan of how they're going to deal with the debt of BC Ferry,” said Liberal trans- portation critic Doug Symons. “They rised the (BC Ferry debt) cap to $975 million ... about a year ago and now they've upped it another $375 million,” he said. “When the government took over in 1991 the debt for BC Ferries was under $100 million,” Symons. said, acknowlt- cdging $250 million had been committed to the fast ferry program by the previous Socred government. “The rest of it is NDP responsibil- ity,” he said. BC Ferry Corporation spokesman Clay Suddaby said che corporation needed the cap raised. “The corporation docsn’t intend to use all thar room, but over the course of this fiscal year, had that cap nor been raised, we would have remember Mama? «oe cid! For those who forgot this Sunday was Mother’s day, we have a great selection of gift ideas as well as full-time Florists on staff from 8 am until 7 pm, for those last minute arrangements. Open House - Wednesday May 12th, 1999 ‘The staff at Plants Galore would like to invite you and your friends to our ‘ Open House from 5:30 pm until 9:00 pm. Refreshments will be served. Clip this ad to receive 10% off any purchase over $20. 00. likely exceeded that cap of $975 million.” Finance Ministry spokesman Tara Wilson said the extra debt was part of the $1 billion deficit budget, presented March 30. “Ht is budgeted deficit. Ho is part of overall government debt” said Wilson. “it is BC Ferry’s debe, absolutely, but you are unable to say that it is only BC Ferry’s debt because gov- ernoent tends to own BC Ferries.” Svmons also made new allegations about fast ferry mechanical failures. He said be’s learned -— from unnamed sources — that air duets in the cagine cooling system: collapsed when the engines ran tull speed. “Which basically meant che engines weren’r getting the air that they were trying, to get through this vent system Uhat was going to bring air down to the engine rooms. When the dampers closed, the engines sucked away as hard as they could to get air dowa and what they did was collapsed the ducts,” Symons said. “Something caused the dampers not to fune- tion properly.” He hoped to bring the issue up in the legislature today or Monday. Suddaby said he was aware of work done in the cooling system. “There were some modifi- cations made to that system to improve it. Fam hor aware of any specific concerns that sound as serious as thar.” Farlicr in the week Symons suggested Pacificat officials cheated when Tunning the new fast ferry through a recent time tial. He quoted his unnamed sources as telling him engine governors were disengaged for the trial sothe ferry could travel faster than normal, The allegation was met with a quick rebuke trom Suddaby. “That is not true,” he said. “The ship did the crossing in the time we said it did.” Open House at Eaton’s Home Store Door Prizes! Eaton's is cordially inviting you and your guest to our Open House at the Park Reyal Eaton's Home Store Wednesday, May 12, 1999 5:30 - 9:00 pm 4100 Park Royal South West Vancouver South-east entrance. Refreshments served. PLANTS GALORE Garden and Patio Centre 1120 Park Royal South, West Vancouver, B.C. (604) 913-8882 All regular-priced furnishings purchased during our Open House Eaton's Home Store « Park Royal po Hearings are scheduled to provide an opportunity for Council to hear from those who believe their interest in property may be affected by changes to these Bylaws, as outlined at right. Amendment to Park, Recreation and Open Space Zone - Accessory Uses Bylaw 7082 "Rezoning Bylaw | 104" Applicant The Corporation of the District of North Vancouver Subject Land Alllands in the District of North Vancouver zoned Park, Recreation and Open Space (PRO) Proposed Amendment: To amend the text of the PRO Zone by specifying permitted accessory uses Tuesday, May 18, 1999 7:00 p.m. Council Chamber, 355 W. Queens Rd. North Vancouver Purpose: To clarify those land uses which are permitted when accessory to the principal uses in the PRO Zone. hese Public Hearings are held under the provisions of the Municipal Act. All persons who believe their interest in property may be affected by the proposals to the right will be afforded an opportunity -to be heard in person and/or by written ‘submission. Written submissions will be i A acceptea up to the conclusion of the Public Hearings on Tuesday, May 18, 1999. Zoning Regulations for Single Family Accessory Buildings and Structures Purpose: 1. To remedy a concern that was saised over people parking in the driveways in front of their garages, and having their cars hang over the sidewalk, or curb area. . This amendment Tecognises that the bylaw currently permits buildings to cover 40% of the required rear yard area, only if the building is named as a combination building. As this is confusing for most people, and the important issue is the overall size of the structure and not its name, the bylaw is being amended to allow the same size of structure regardless of its use, be it, garage, tool shed, workshop etc.. . To ensure that there is not overbuilding in garden areas. BYLAW 7025 “Rezoning Bylaw 1096" licant The Corporation of the District of North Vancouver Subject Lands All lands zoned Single Family Residential (RS1, 2, 3,4,and 5) but not affecting any Neighbourhood Zones. opies of the Bylaws, resolutions, supporting staff reperis and any relevant background materials are available for review from May 7 through May 18, 1999 in the District of North Vancouver's Clerk's Office or Community Planning Division at the Municipal Hall. The-Municipal Hall is located at 355 West Queens Road and is open Monday through Friday, except Statutory Holidays between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Proposed Amendments: 1. To increase the front yard setback required for straight-in entry garages from 15 feet to 25 feet. 2. To permit accessory structures (parking garages, tool sheds, etc) located in the “required rear yard" to be up to 40% of the required rear yard area in size, regardless of the use of the accessory structure. 3. To limit accessory structures located anywhere on the lot to a combined total size of 800 square feet (74.32m2). Dennis W. Back, Municipal Clerk