4 — Sunday, May 11, 1997 — North Shore News New impound rule Ga From pagel “This is like an immediate consequence for something that is a very serious prob- lem,” said North Vancouver RCMP Censt. Tom Seaman. Even though police say Whaley was driving a friend’s car, the vehicle was. still impounded, as set out in the new law. Whaley was originally pulled over for speeding at 3 a.m. He was charged with impaired driving, driving while prohibited and breach- ing a bail condition. The bail condition related to a curfew prohibiting Whaley to be outside his North Van home after 11 p.m. In West Vancouver, so far, no. vehicle has been impounded from a prohibit- ed or unlicensed. driver. ‘__ But two people in West Van charged with drinking and driving offences since May 5 are facing the conse- quences of the new adminis- SHAYNE Whatley, charged with driving white prohibited. Under the driving, prohi- bition that also started on May 5, a driver who fails or refuses a test for blood alco- hol content will immediately get notified of a 90-day dri- ving prohibition that begins 21 days from the offence date. (Drinking and driving sentences carry mandatory Stiy for drivers sentences can be handed out months and sometimes more than a year after a crime.) The 21-day delay in the 90-day driving prohibition can be used by a motorist for a review of the incident. The review costs at least $50, which can be refunded after- wards. A review relating to the Vehicle Impoundment Program also costs a mini- mum $50. To press time, the num- ber of people charged with drinking and driving offences in North Vancouver since May 5 was unavailable. Meanwhile if a prohibited or tmlicenced driver is caught driving a second time in two years, his vehicle is impounded for 60 days instead of 30. According to the Ministry of the Attorney General, up to 65% of drivers who are prohibited continue to drive. Provincial government statistics indicate that 30% of fatal car crashes are alcohol trative driving prohibition. driving prohibitions, but related. Complaints from neighbors launches permit investigation - From page 1 abided by,” Munrue said. “I want to sec all questions are answered properly and from a distance.” i If procedures had not been followed prop- erly the inquiry will make the district aware of that, said Munroe. “If they have been followed properly and haven’t satisfied the intent for the public then _ we will have to look at our procedures again — the administration’s procedure that is.” He said the committee will be one person, likely someone chosen by an official with the provincial Municipal Affairs department. The Ofticial’s recommendation will be received by council on Monday. As. soon. as. someone is appointed the inquiry will begin, said Munroe, adding that a report is expected back to council by May Neighbors of some of the developments in question welcomed news of the inquiry. Melody Richards, who alleged that there are inconsistencies with the approval process “for her Sea Shell Lane neighbor’s new and much larger home, said she’s happy the inves- tigation will take place. “Over the course of the last few months, many inquiries directed to the mayor and council have not been answered satisfactori- ly,” Richards said on Friday. The welcome mat for the inquiry has aiso been laid out by Gale Honey, the neighbor of a development at 682 Seymour Roulevard. She said her neighbor’s addition has shaved rivacy and about $70,000 in value from her ome. In addition, she said other area residents had to construct their dwellings 22 metres (72 feet) from the banks of the Seymour River due to municipal and provincial envi- ronmental regulations, but her ieighbors set- back is not even close to that. District assistant manager of permits and licences Brian Bydwell said plans approved for the Seymour home do not increase the existing non-conforming standing of the existing home so do not require approval from the board of variance or require a devel- opment variance permit. While adjacent properties must have a 22- metre setback, the 682 Seymour property does not have a similar restrictive covenant against it, said Bydwell. Honey said Friday any inquiry is good, -but she hopes it’s done by someone who is independent and well-versed in municipal affairs. RCMP spokesman Const. Tom Seaman said he could only confirm the investigation into the alleged payment made by the Balmoral homeowner. The incident was pub- licized in the May 2 News. Elect