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WEDNESDAY
June 28, 189

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Steak © * Seafood » Salad

nae STEAK, SEAFOOD OR

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Frame pain

Private lots victim

PROPERTY OWNERS whose dream
homes are threatened by the possible
rezoning of North Vancouver District’s
Mountain .and Cove forests are now
speaking up.

By fan Noble

News Reporter

Diane Matergio and her husband own proper-
ty in Cave Forest that they hope to build on when
services such as roads, electricity and water reach

‘the lot.

But her future home has been jeopardized by

“a North Vancouver District Council decision to

consider changing the: residential zoning of
Mountain Forest’ and Cove Forest to. Parks,

Recreation and Open Space (PRO).

“Many of us were planning on building ‘our

dream -honies and for some, it represents their
“only chance to own a home on the North Shore,”

she said,
“We are appalled that a decision of this ridg-

‘nitude may be decided on what appe: ars 10 be,
basic emotional reactions. | ‘ :

“tt Appears that council mes rather than

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Grelenttelanttdt

Weather _

Thursday, Friday: Mainly sunny,
Highs 30°C, lows 15°C.

NEWS photo Terry Peters

WHILE RCMP Const. Julie de Decker talks to a witness, RCMP. Const. Daryn
Storey surveys the damage after a Mosquito Creek boathouse collapsed in a
strong gust of wind Monday. The 75-foot (23-metre) long and_30-foot {(nine-metre)
high boathouse was in the process of being erected when the wind hit. :

of NV land debate.

making a decision based on fact,” Matergio said.

Council decided to look at.the rezoning in
response to heavy pressure applied by area resi-
dents secking to save the hiking, biking and
horse-riding trails in the two urban reserves.

Through her research on the issue of private
ownership in the two urban reserves, Matergio
discovered approximately 38. privately owned
lots in Cove Forest, Mountain Forest and
Northlands.

She wants to know how a rezoning would
affect property owners — an issue district coun-
cil has not made a decision on.

, She said a number of population, environ-
mental and financial issues have’ not been
addressed in the drive to rezone the two areas.

Between 1994 and 2006, the district popula-
tion is expected to grow by 12.249, Matergio
said.

“Will the residemts west of the Seymour River
pay the price for this increased growth? ©

“Will this population increase be accommo-
dated by way of increased density and increased
development at higher elevations (all west of the
Seymour. River)?” she asked i ina recent letter to
the News:

Matergio also expressed concer about: the _

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fi nancial impacts of the decision. ° ;

“What is the extent of revenue lost from land
sales and the expansion of our tax base?” she
asked.

Matergio said council has been irresponsible -
in not requesting a staff report on the financial.
implications of the rezoning.

“T would like them to study the area ... so we
know what we are voting against or for. You
absolutely cannot make a decision in a vacuum,”
she said.

Gordon Fritsch, who owns a lot in the
Northlands area, echoed Matergio’s concems.

Fritsch called for financial reports to be done
by the district before any rash decisions are made.

“['m ... concerned about that because you'd _
think the (district) would Jook at the financial.”
impact considering how much there is to lose,” hee.
said. :

He also said the urban 1 reserves are important.’
because the North Shore is running ‘out of land ‘
for development. : ‘

His 33-toat by $20-foot lot is now assessed at
$34,000.

Fritsch said it could be worth $200,000 or

. more if services find their way to the lot.

Municipal planner Mel Palmer said council

will have to address the issues surrounding pri--

_ See Millions page
Te ge on

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