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Friday, November 20, 2009
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High winds hit West Van hard James Weldon jweldon@nsnews.com
WEST Vancouver emergency crews were kept running all night Wednesday as high winds and rain knocked down power lines across the municipality.
NEWS photo Mike Wakefield
A privately contracted work crew, on hand Thursday morning in the 3900-block of Bayridge Avenue in West Vancouver, repairs a broken hydro pole that had caught on fire during Wednesday night’s wind storm.
Beginning at about 5 p.m. winds gusting to 90 kilometres per hour knocked trees and branches into wires, dropping them on to thoroughfares and cutting service to thousands of homes. At the peak of the problem, between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., some 2,036 North Shore customers were without power, according to BC Hydro. The utility provider reported about 20 individual incidents, concentrated primarily in the western portion of West Vancouver, where the storm appears to have hit hardest. As of 11 a.m. Thursday, service had been restored to all but 72 homes. “All along Marine Drive in See Downed page 3
WV suite hearing attracts a crowd Sarah Ripplinger newsroom@nsnews.com
RESIDENTS voiced concerns about the proposed legalization of secondary suites in the District of West Vancouver during a packed public hearing on Monday. The proposed secondary suites bylaw and fee changes — which would be district-wide — are being considered for single-family and duplex homes. The suites cannot be detached from the principle building and must be restricted to a minimum floor area of 400 square metres and a maximum floor area of 1,800 sq. m or 40 per cent of the home’s total floor area excluding the garage.
The financial implications of legalization a concern for many One off-street parking space — on a pervious surface — must be provided solely for the use of the secondary suite owner unless the residence is within 200 feet of a bus stop. Home owners who wish to operate a secondary suite will have to pay a one-time $300 application fee and a yearly $150 licensing fee to the district. Only home owners that charge a rental fee would need to register with the district. In-law suites where there is no money exchanged for accommodation as well as unrented secondary suites would be exempt, according to Bob Sokol, director of
planning, lands and permits. Of prime concern to residents and members of council were the financial implications of rolling out such a program. Ken Mellquist said he has paid $10,000 in alterations to his property — as a result of a commercial bed and breakfast operating beside his home — in order to “maintain my privacy and maintain the integrity of my property.” He opposed the legalization of secondary suites, but said, should council move forward with the proposal, provisions should be included that ensure neighbourhood residents are notified and consulted before a secondary suite is allowed to be developed on their street. See Some page 3
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