Past and present come full circle at McGregor, an Amacon project taking shape in the South Burnaby Slopes area ›› p.4
August 26, 2010
HST petition heading to legislature
Won’t you be my
neighbour?
TRICIA LESLIE
When relocating to a new neighbourhood, it’s wise for homebuyers to conduct plenty of research, and to pose lots of questions to real estate professionals, says Joan Hansen of the Joan Hansen Team. She has been selling real estate in Metro Vancouver since 1980. Martin Knowles photo
Moving to a new ’hood Leaving a beloved neighbourhood behind can be tough, but the new community may be even better TRICIA LESLIE Making the move into a new home in a different neighbourhood can be difficult. That’s why homeowners who are planning such a move should do their homework first and – as local experts will confirm – today’s
homebuyers do educate themselves before purchasing a home, thanks in large part to myriad online resources. Local homeowners Leagh and Linda Shermann did just that – they conducted plenty of research, online and in-person, and mulled long and hard before they decided to move from an old, established Langley neighbourhood to a new home in Morningstar Homes’ Saddle Creek in Cloverdale. Giving up the old home meant moving away from a house that generated countless
poignant family memories over the years, but for the Shermanns, the decision was helped along by the fact the old home would need several repairs, mainly elective, to be modernized and functional. Now, after living in their brand-new home for about six months, the Shermanns don’t regret a thing. “Buying a new home was the best thing we ever did,” says Leagh. CONTINUED ON P.2
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The petition to get rid of the Harmonized Sales Tax in B.C. is valid and should proceed to the legislature, B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Bauman ruled last Friday. The ruling was music to former premier Bill Vander Zalm’s ears. Vander Zalm, who headed the citizen’s initiative, delivered a petition bearing more than 700,000 signatures of British Columbians who oppose the HST to Victoria at the end of June. “It was very good news. We were very happy with the outcome,” Vander Zalm said of the judge’s decision, and noted Bauman “made a great deal about the democracy” of the initiative. Bauman quoted Premier Gordon Campbell’s description of the petition as a “victory for democracy” that can be dealt with Bill Vander Zalm by the legislature. It’s the first successful citizen initiative in the 20-year history of B.C.’s Recall and Initiative Act, gathering support of at least 10 per cent of registered voters in each of the province’s 85 constituencies. A group of B.C. businesses launched the court action in an attempt to stop the anti-HST petition and draft legislation that is aimed at rolling back the 12 per cent tax, which merges the federal GST with the provincial sales tax. The business coalition argued the province doesn’t have the authority to repeal a federal tax. But Bauman disagreed and said it was not necessary for the draft bill to be a perfect piece of legislation to proceed, and CONTINUED ON P.2
2 • New Local Home | August 26, 2010
Locals are always using the riverside trails at ParkLane’s Bedford Landing in Fort Langley.
Former premier Bill Vander Zalm with some of the 700,000 anti-HST petition signatures. Black Press photo
‘We were very happy with the outcome’ CONTINUED FROM P.1
it would be the job of the legislature to decide on the final version. His ruling noted that there are legal questions about the petition to remove the tax, which is based on a five-year agreement between the federal and provincial governments that has been authorized by the House of Commons. “Whether any final piece of legislation resulting from this exercise can pass constitutional muster, is a question for another day and separate proceedings,” Bauman wrote. Provincial law now requires the petition be forwarded to a standing committee of the legislature, which has to meet within 30 days of receiving it. The committee has 90 days after that to decide whether to forward the bill to the or refer “I’m hoping legislature to a province-wide they’ll referendum. smarten up “I’m hoping they’ll to smarten and get rid decide up and get rid of the of the HST.” HST,” Vander Zalm says. Dropping home sales and starts across the country and rising inflation have been blamed on the July 1 introduction of the HST in B.C. and Ontario. And that’s “probably going to get worse,” Vander Zalm says. Because the HST is added to the sale of new homes over $525,000 (homes below this threshold will bear no more tax than under the former PST system; homes priced higher will receive a flat rebate of $26,250, according to the government), and because people may find the underground cash economy more attractive than paying extra taxes, he says the HST will hurt the homebuilding industry. “It’s going to hurt the homebuilding industry in particular, no doubt about that,” Vander Zalm says. “The underground cash economy will grow enormously ... it happened in Europe. It happens everywhere you bring in a tax like this.” The standing committee that will make the decision regarding the antiHST petition has appointees from both parties, but has never formally met. The convener and possible chair is Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake; the B.C. Liberal majority includes MLAs Eric Foster (Vernon-Monashee), David Hayer (Surrey-Tynehead), Richard Lee (Burnaby North), Pat Pimm (Peace River North) and John Slater (Boundary-Similkameen). NDP MLAs on the committee are Mike Farnworth (Port Coquitlam), Katrine Conroy (Kootenay West), Rob Fleming (Victoria-Swan Lake) and Jenny Kwan (Vancouver-Mount Pleasant). – with files from Black Press
“It’s been a really
positive move” Off the front: “You want to celebrate every day.” – Leagh Shermann CONTINUED FROM P.1
“You want to celebrate every day ... (when we came back from vacation), the new-house smell was still here).” “I still pinch myself,” Linda agrees. “If you can (purchase a home) new, do it,” she says. The researching and planning count. The Shermanns looked into everything, including the builder’s reputation, planned future development in the area, and the neighbourhood, before making their final decision. Joan Hansen of the Joan Hansen Team has been selling real estate in Metro Vancouver communities since 1980, and says homebuyers planning to switch neighbourhoods should look for communities that fit their lifestyle, their commute to work, schools and community amenities. “Most homeowners have a good idea of what’s important to them,” Hansen says, and notes demographics can be important as well. A young family moving into an area with primarily retired
Linda and Leagh Shermann, in the backyard of their new Saddle Creek home, have really enjoyed their moving experience. Tricia Leslie photo
homeowners may find it can be difficult with young children, where a retiree-aged couple may not want to move into a neighbourhood where street hockey and shooting hoops is common, Hansen notes. “A senior may not enjoy coming home to this, but a family will enjoy the safety of the kids visible from the front room,” she says. Homebuyers should also always
New is Good
ask about future planning in the area; future infrastructure and other future development may have an impact on their decision now, Hansen says. Real estate professionals are always available to answer any unanswered queries, Hansen says, but she and ParkLane Homes marketing manager Yosh Kasahara agree today’s homebuyers are well-equipped when researching a prospective community. “People are asking us questions
like, ‘What’s within walking distance?’ or ‘Will I have to get in my car to get a coffee or go shopping, or will I be able to walk with my family?’” Kasahara says. “Our buyers often tell us that the reason they are buying a ParkLane home is that they are looking to upgrade their location. In other words, they want a better home in a better community.” Kasahara also stresses that the reputation of the builder is key. Leagh and Linda couldn’t agree more. They liked what they heard and saw about Morningstar, and, now that they’re settled in their new home, they like it even more. “We’re very happy with the house. We love the construction. Morningstar builds well,” Leagh says. Linda agrees, and notes that it’s nice to move into a neighbourhood where every home is wellbuilt and new. They’ve been enjoying the home and the neighbourhood, and especially, the backyard, where the patio awaits entertaining, and the garden landscaping features rocks Leagh personally dug out from the excavation piles of new homes going up in Saddle Creek. And they really enjoy the new location. “I love the new location even more ... everything is so close,” Linda says, referring to shopping, amenities and work-related travel. “We’re actually closer to work,” Leagh says. “It’s been a really positive move.”
Publisher: Fiona Harris • 604-575-5822 • publisher@newlocalhome.com Editor: Tricia Leslie • 604-575-5346 • editor@newlocalhome.com Reporter: Maggie Calloway • maggiec@blackpress.ca Advertising Sales: Black Press National Sales • Adrian Saunders • 604-575-5812 • adrians@blackpress.ca Online Advertising: 604-575-5822 Designer: Brad Smith • bsmith@blackpress.ca New Local Home is published once a week by Black Press Group Ltd. (Suite 309 - 5460 152 Street, Surrey, B.C. V3S 5J9) 350,000 copies are distributed free across Metro Vancouver. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited.
New Local Home | August 26, 2010 • 3
4 • New Local Home | August 26, 2010
Modern convenience, historical past
Come home to McGregor A nanny plays croquet with her young charge on the sprawling green lawns behind the house. Later, tennis, lawn bowling and badminton are planned, and perhaps, a picnic in the garden. The orchard is thick with trees heavily laden with fruit and inside the huge barn, horses, ponies and other animals rest and wait for the next outing. This was the idyllic lifestyle embraced by Duncan McGregor and his family – wife, Margaret and son, Douglas – back in the early 1900s, in what is now Burnaby’s South Slope neighbourhood. They lived in a huge, Edwardian-style country estate built in 1902, which McGregor named Glen-Lyon after his Scottish birthplace. McGregor eventually served as a municipal councillor in Burnaby before being elected reeve (mayor) of the city in 1913. While the property and its use changed hands over the years – from a logging camp in the 1800s to the minimum-security New Haven Correctional Centre – past and present will come together with Amacon’s new McGregor development. The residential aspect of the project takes up about half of the 60-acre site, between Marine Way and Marine Drive; a business park that fronts onto Marine Drive will take up the other half. Hearkening back to the past, the development will feature 96 homes in total, situated on 12 acres of park-like green space on South Burnaby Slopes. A community of 90 townhomes is planned, designed in a blend of traditional style mixed with a West Coast modern vibe. At the heart of McGregor, the old Duncan McGregor mansion – a heritage-designated building known as McGregor House – will be home to four residences, along with a community amenity space that will include a meeting room, games room and a library. The property also features a heritage gambrel-roofed barn, the only remaining structure of its kind in Burnaby; this will be transformed to house two duplex homes. “(The homes) are definitely heritageinspired, starting with the colours,” says Amacon sales and marketing manager Nic Jensen. The homes will feature rich, bold exterior colours, including forest green, dark slate blue and brick red, accented by white trim. Slated for completion by August 2011, the townhomes are all three-and fourbedroom plans; the first phase features all four-bedroom townhomes, all 1,625 square feet, Jensen says. “It’s a good amount of space,” he says, and notes that despite its proximity to daily necessities, McGregor still feels like a rural retreat. “It’s just so central ... yet you’re surrounded by green space.” McGregor is close to shopping – Metrotown included – and other community amenities; it is just minutes to several major transportation routes, and there’s access to public transportation, via a bus route, right outside the front CONTINUED ON P.5
Amacon sales and marketing manager Nic Jensen, left, and Rob Vrooman, manager of development, with a model of McGregor. Mario Bartel/Black Press
A community of 90 heritage-inspired townhomes is planned for Burnaby’s South Slopes neighbourhood: Amacon’s McGregor. At the heart of the development, the old Duncan McGregor mansion (see model above) will become home to four residences plus community amenity space.
New Local Home | August 26, 2010 • 5
A creek runs through it...
Central locale, lots of green space CONTINUED FROM P.4
door, says Jensen. But there are also kilometres of trails perfect for walking, jogging or cycling throughout the extensive, 12-acre site, and the remaining 16 acres on the northeastern side of the site will be donated to the city for use as parkland, he adds. A winding creek and a central pond invite exploring, while a community garden will allow green thumbs to grow. McGregor also neighbours onto the Riverway Sports Complex, which offers several sports playing fields and a lacrosse box, among other amenities. The low-density project means there will be about 5,500 sq. ft. of green space for each home – more than many find with a single-family home, Jensen notes. All the homes have decks and patios to enjoy the outdoors at home, while inside, modern style reigns with contemporary, high-end finishings. Luxury features such as stone CONTINUED ON P.6
History has inspired the construction of McGregor’s Amacon, especially the rich, bold exterior colours.
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6 • New Local Home | August 26, 2010
New meets old in Burnaby
‘It’s a great price point’ at McGregor CONTINUED FROM P.5
countertops with matching stone backsplashes, premium stainlesssteel appliances, engineered hardwood flooring, large porcelain tiles and chrome faucets give a clean, elegant finishing touch to the homes. While the exteriors pay homage to history, interiors are definitely modern and offer all the latest conveniences. “We feel we’ve exceeded (expectations on) the level of finishing,” Jensen says. “Everything’s included, even the washer and dryer. It’s a great price point and a great starter home for young families.” McGregor homes are attracting buyers from throughout Metro Vancouver, from families in the valley who want a more central location, to downtown homeowners who desire more space, says Jensen. Homes released in the first phase start from $539,000. Visit www.mcgregorliving. com and www.amacon.com for more information. – with files from Black Press
Inside McGregor, modern convenience reigns. Kitchens feature stone countertops with matching stone backsplashes and stainless steel appliances.
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New Local Home | August 26, 2010 • 7
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@ Morgan Heights 26th Ave & 164th St. 604-531-1111, 604-420-4200 A Cathedral Grove 2738-158th Street. 604-541-7383 B SouthPort 3677-143 St. 604-292-0871 C High Street 402-2950 King George Hwy. 604-536-9333 D Summerfield 109-172A St. 604-536-1155
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8 • New Local Home | August 26, 2010
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