Liam Lahey Contributing Writer CLOUDS hung over David Rickert’s out- door patio deck Monday.

The owner of North

ncouver, Laundry Services op East 12th Street appeared before North Vancouver City council to plead his case at the city ordered him to dis- mantle the structure.

Rickert built the deck adja- cent to his building. It's similar to one built by the restaurant next door. Rickert: built his without a building permit and refused to take it down when

Rickert assured council.

I took over this busines few years ago and there's limit- ed seating there. People sit there (on the outdoor deck) throughout the year while they’re waiting for their laun- dry. I get people from all over the world passing through and they think it’s (the patio deck) fantastic.

“It's an advantage to my business as the seating space within the store is terribly con- gested.”

Rickert told) council hed ing to pay for any applicable fees or ta

Council's main’ concern

tthe structure may be with craftic on the

be

sidewalk, “There are mailboxes aper boxes on the § that do more to obstruct

“The public asked me to build this thing, so I did. The whole s flourishing.”

stella Jo Dean asked

Phe thought it would

be acceptable for other busi-

nesses to follow suit and disre- gard the cjty’s bylaws.

“TD oppose the existing bylaw, I'm nor in retail, Pra in the service industry” he replied. “People have to be there to do their laundry and I have to accommodate those people. It’s also a mecting place, people meet there and end up getting married.”

Said Dean, “You may want to incosperate a dating service there as well then. By oppc ing the bylaw t brought this on to yourself.”

All members of council seemed genuinely bothered that Rickert went ahead and built the deck, but Coun. Barbara Sharp was the first to suggest’ Rickert had done them a favour.

“1 recognize there are those of us who have the luxu- ry of doing our laundry in the comforts of our own home

others can’t,” she said. “These davs, people don’t

COUNC!

wantote teave then Laundrs unattended.”

The deck estends approni mateh mine tect 12.0 re anit trom the faundremar bur there's sull another 10 teet nip af open sidewalk space for the public to use

Rickert argued Tits deck was

dentical to that of a ne busines, He led to see why he

should be denied one.

“TP shouldn't sav E oppose the bylaw, that’s the wrong word to use,” he explained to

wun. John Braithwaite. “Ir irks me (the bylaw). This isn’t outdoor dining. [don’t under- stand, If my deck is obstruct- ing sidewalk traffic then sa. is everyone clse’s.”

Despite breaking the rules and show no remorse,

“There are those of us who have to use laundry services . You have to

stay there while doing vour laundry and most laundromiats are dead spaces,” reasoned Sharp. “Pm not saying this laundromat will become the

Chapers or dam service of North Shore, but we're in the process of bringing people and businesses together and T preter staff looks more exten at accommodating this concept. particularly in’ the Lower Lonsdate are

With othe exception of Dean all af the councilors and Maver Jack Loucks agreed staff should: return to an open dialogue with Rickert) and keep his patio deck mtact.

“Eve been there once and I never got a date,” deadpanned Coun. Darrell Mussatte.

“Fm going to have to go back ... Plike Ag an animat- ed street and there's a possibil- ity here to do that. don’t like the fet t this gentleman built a structure contrary to our bylaws and then flouts it in our fiees, but Pn in favour of a compromise.”

Council will also revisit the

sting bylaw (No, 6234) to

ider changes. Council directed staff to conduct: a study of the entire North Shore’s businesses to see how future situations might be avoided by becoming — less stringent: when dealing with the city’s street.

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Friday. December 11. 1998 — North Shore News - 5 be eee yo

NEWS photo Mike Wakefield

DAVID Rickert, the operator of North Vancouver Laundry Services, had to appear before North Vancouver City councit Monday to defend his deck.

“L don’t have too much

r Mr. Rickert,”

while explaining

for supporting a compromise with Rickert.

“Em not too impressed

with him, he could have come

before council much sooner

than he did. Bur PH vote for

this idea to look at it and see

what staff can come up with. If

he can keep it (the deck) then

others should have the same

privilege.”

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