Richmond City Council decided not to do anything after being asked to pass a law banning Chinese only signs. Anne Merdinyan presented council with a petition signed by 1000 people to support the idea of English or French signage. Merdinyan says white people in Richmond are the "new minority" and something must be done. "We feel … [Read more...]
Debate over Chinese only signs back before Richmond City Council
A Richmond City Councillor says he's open to hearing from two residents who are concerned about the amount of Chinese signage in the city. Chak Au says council could revist the issue -- as two women, armed with a petition, are set to make a presentation on Monday saying there is too much Chinese-only signage. "I'm open on this one … [Read more...]
Council hears a bid for co-housing
Another public hearing is underway at Vancouver Vity Hall. This one about what could be Vancouver's first co-housing complex. Yonas Jongkind has applied for the property called Cedar Cottage on East 33rd Avenue to be rezoned in order to house 31 families. He says co-housing promotes communal living with each family having a private unit but sharing … [Read more...]
Beach Towers generates heat at Council
Cheers and heckles at Vancouver City Hall Tuesday evening where a public hearing on the re-zoning of the historic Beach Towers site on English Bay attracted dozens of people. Devonshire Properties proposes to build 133 units of luxury rental on the existing Beach Towers site along Beach Avenue and Harwood Street. The re-zoning would add … [Read more...]
10,000 member Council of BC Yachts Clubs wades into the battle to save Kits base
The ten thousand member strong Council of BC Yachts Clubs wants the Senate to take a hard look at the closing of Kits Coast Guard base. President Sheila Boutcher says unlike the Conservative government a Senate committee might actually listen to the boating community. "Well at least they could have a proper look at the facts and make a … [Read more...]
The Mayors Council propses tax for transit users
The Mayors Council on Regional Transportation has tabled five funding options for consideration by the province. Council Chair and North Vancouver District Mayor Richard Walton says it includes what he calls a minor regional sales tax. "We are probably only talking about you know point-one or point-two or point -three percent it may be as … [Read more...]
Proposed casino project voted down by Surrey council will not go to another area of the municipality
After a proposed casino and entertainment complex was nixed by Surrey City Council early Saturday morning, BC’s Minister responsible for gaming says the complex will not go to another location in the city. Rich Coleman says the city has indicated it's not interested after saying no to the complex on a property that is already zoned for a … [Read more...]
Surrey City Council votes down casino and entertainment complex proposal
Surrey City Council has decided to reject the controversial casino and entertainment complex. By a vote of 5 to 4, with Surrey Mayor Diane Watts holding the deciding vote, Surrey said no thanks to the casino project. Terry McNiece who led the group opposing the casino plan was asked if it was a David beats Goliath moment. "Not really. I mean … [Read more...]
Casino proposal goes to Council Monday evening
It's expected to be a marathon meeting Monday night when a casino proposal goes before Surrey Council. City staff estimate more than one hundred people will want to speak on the issue. Mayor Dianne watts believes the meeting will drag into the small hours of Tuesday morning. "I'll take one individual to come forward from the opposing position, … [Read more...]
Report on future of Vancouver viaducts will go before council early this year
City of Vancouver staff will present a report to council within the next two months which will make recommendations for what do with the viaducts. Councilor Geoff Meggs says while the idea of removing the old structures initially shocked some, attitudes are changing. "Right now the viaducts are only east-west connections. The new proposal would … [Read more...]