Sunday, May 26, 1991 - North Shore News - 7

Dear Editor:

Ms. Anne Macdonald, past co- chairman of the North Shore Public Golf Course Society, is appalled by my March | Mailbox statement that, using the data of two of North Vancouver District’s golf course consultant studies, the lost profit to taxpayers from misusing the Northlands tract for a golf course amounts to $43.7 million (April t9, Mailbox).

My reference was to the Simons Consultants October 1989 report which estimated the net district profit from developing the 1989 draft Northlands Neighbourhood Plan at $55.3 million. From this | deducted $12.6 million which the Michael Davis Associates report of October 1990 suggested the district could earn to pay for golf course development and other rec- reation facilities, by selling land remaining in the Northlands tract

for apartment sites -—- after 155 acres was taken for the golf course.

In this, I ignored Davis’ most questionable assumption that CMHC, which owns half of the remaining area, would be willing to devote $6 million worth of land to assist the golf course/other rec- reational facilities cause.

However, in labelling my Statement ‘‘totally untrue,” school trustee Macdonald wasn’t just overreacting to my sloppy sub- traction — the correct number is $42.7 million. Rather, she con- tends ‘There will be no fost profit to the district. On the contrary, there will be large returns ...”°

Backing her confident fiscal projection, she recalls having “been told that no municipality has ever made any money by sell- tng land for development. The in- come received from the sale has to be spent and then some.’’

1 think it is very possible that ,

the source of Ms. Macdonald’s ronouncement is North Van- couver Ald. Ernie Crist’s Sept. 14, 1990 letter to the News headed “Crist refutes ‘men without vi- sion’ on golf course issue.”’ Dismissing various concerns on the down side of the Northlands golf course proposal, he stated therein, ‘‘The third ‘tale’ is that the district will lose millions of

Waterfront feature encouraging

Dear Editor:

We salute the North Shore News reporters Surj Rattan and Elizabeth Collings for the ex- cellent feature in the May 12 issue on the industrial waterfront.

Only by this kind of fecus on the importance of the working waterfront can North Shore resi- dents be made aware of the eco- nomic benefits that flow from this structure.

At the recent forum on the North Shore waterfront develop- ment, it was Capt. Norman Stark, CEO of the Port of Vancouver Corp. who put emphasis on reser- ving the few water access oppor- tunities that exist, serviced also by rail, for the industries that must have such facility in order to Operate. Your ongoing coverage of matters vital to the interests of the community is much appreci- ated,

William Scott

Secretary-Treasurer

Marine Workers and Boilermakers Union

Jollars if we build a golf course instead of selling the land for housing. The opposite is true. No municipality has ever made a red cent from the sale of land for de- velopment which did not have to be put rigitt back to provide need- ed services, uot just in the im- mediate area but also for fire halls, new water lines, widening of roads, bridges, recreation facil- ites, libraries. more traffic iights, etc. The best example is the new $8 million municipal hall ...”*

In my opinion Ald. Crist was simply headwi © ag the casual reader and Ms. macdonald, seem- ingly, with this comment. He is well aware that with respect to all of these capital works, North Vancouver District years ago adopted a policy to ‘‘pay as we go — from district land sale profits."’ In doing so, the district was tak- ing advantage of the general scar- city and ever increasing market prices of land for new residential development Iand throughout the metropolitan region, and the fact that the district is the most richly endowed municipality in all of B.C. in terms of owning ripe de- velopable land.

He knows, but does not share with the reader, that were it not for the huge accumulated profiis from the sale of these lands, the district’s property taxes would have long ago sky-rocketed or we wouldn’t have many of those community facilities and improved infrastructure.

Just how huge are these land

© REPAIRS - IN 2 HOURS ® RELINES - IN 1 DAY e NEW DENTURES

| PETER BARKER DENTURIST 231 Lonsdale

North Vancouver

ENTURE SERVICE

¢ SOFT LINERS e ALL DENTAL PLANS ACC. ¢ REFERRALS NOT REQUIRED

FREE CONSULTATONS

Fully qualified & licensed by the province of BC. Members of the denturists society of B.C. and subject to the high standards of service of the society.

LE LEWIS

DENTURIST

#301-1124 Lonsdale North Vancouver

Free Pick-up and Delvah

TAKEDOWN & REHANGING Service Available

SAME DAY SERVICE

Further feedback on the Northlands golf course proposal

W.5. Blakely North Vancouver

profits, and what effect do they have on our taxes? The 1990 Cap- ital Expenditure Program totalled $21,083,133: of this $12,050,402 was to be drawn from the Tax Sale Land Reserve: that’s 57%!

Further, note that in 1990 the district was to raise $27,841,168 from all property taxes. Had the district not had these huge land sale profits to draw on and no development cost charge bylaw, like most other growing municipalities, and if it stuck with its ‘pay as we go’’ approach, the tax levy would have had to be 43.3% higher than it was to pay for the level of services and com- munity improvement that was achieved last year.

And 1990 wasn’t any exception, Since the °70s the district's ap- proach has been similar and the current five-year projection for capital works needs shows over 70% of funding drawn from the Tax Sale Land Reserve.

Funding by borrowing to meet these capital needs, most of which would arise whoever owns the land being developed, would result over time in debt repayment costs of the same order as the amount drawn annually from the Tax Sale Lands Reserve.

So, to recycle Ald. Crist’s words, ‘“‘You can dismiss as hogwash"? his iooth fairy story (and now trustee Macdonald’s) that profits from sale of districi- owned lands is not the dominant factor in lessening the taxes we district resident taxpayers must

VIRGINIA THORBURN DENTURIST 208-1331 Marine West Vancouver

carry. Hefting industry’s share is just small potatoes.

eg. Fig, Capensio, Yucca

# on Natural Trunk expires May 31/91

988-63 21k Kenneth d. Baxter awyer

310 - 145 Chadwick Court, North Vancouver Gust south of the market — next to the Seabus) Lonsdale pad Plaza

CUSTOM BRAPERIES AND VALANCES

tabour $7.50 per panel unlined, $8.50 lined

CUSTOM BEDSPREADS AND COVERS

Low, low prices on blinds and tracks For FREE Estimates Cali 987-2966

Serving the North Shore for 19 years

The (jreat Whistler (jetaway!

May & June Special:

From only @ per night* *double occu cy, tax not included. B. on availability.

Escape to a world of glorious scenery, crystalline skies and adventure unlimited. Come on up to Whistler, B.C. and we'll show you a feally good time. It’s all right on the doorstep when you stay at the Whistler Timberline Lodge. Fabulous golf and trout fishing. Skiing on Blackcomb’s famous slopes.

It's all waiting for you! The Timberline Lodge is Whistler's most welcoming doorway. Rustic elegance right in the heart of Whistler Village. Wonderful rooms and fuil service. Live entertainment at Buffalo Bill's every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Memorable dining at Myrtie's. Get away to the Whistler Timberline Lodge. Call Vancouver direct: 877-0336.

WHISTLER

T IMBERLINE

“Whistler's most welcoming doorway.’