FRIDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2012
www.pqbnews.com
BUCS INVADE OCEANSIDE
Official newspaper of the Save-On-Foods Oceanside Generals
CENTURY OF SWINGS IN QB
Author Claud Buchanan produces colourful look at Qualicum Beach links
Generals have had their hands full with Nanaimo Buccaneers
A28
B12
Crystal takes another shot Two towers, 38 units on what’s QUALICUM BEACH DEVELOPMENT
described as a ‘challenging site’ JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
A multi-unit project with a long history in the Town of Qualicum Beach’s planning department received yet another development permit Monday night, its fourth since 2005. The latest plan at The Crystal — previously called Crystal Terrace — calls for 38 units in two, five-storey towers on top of a shared parking structure at 3022 Island Highway West. The drawings and artists’ conceptions supplied to the town show a lot of glass, an elevator serving both towers from the middle and a development that is built into the bank so not all floors are above street level. The plan does call for two variances from the Official Community Plan regarding height and setback. Director of Planning Luke Sales said the height variance (12.1 metres as opposed to the OCP’s seven metres) is “an acceptable solution to a very challenging site.” As for the setback — as in how far from the street the building starts — Sales said The Crystal has agreed to build a sidewalk in front of the entire length of the project, something he called “a real benefit.” See LANDSCAPE, page A7
PARKSVILLE BUDGET PROCESS
Vanishing surplus AUREN RUVINSKY writer@pqbnews.com
Parksville council held their first public budget meeting of the year, looking at the big picture and a provisional five year plan that would see infrastructure projects lead to a deficit in 2017. “The good news is we’re in very good shape,” said mayor Chris Burger. Council froze 40 per cent of the budget areas last year and assumed the other areas would have to go up, but he said “staff managed to hold the line across the board” and the first draft of the budget includes almost no increase. See NEW WATER, page A5
PETER MCCULLY PHOTO
KRINGLE OPENS: MLA Ron Cantelon, left, Parksville Mayor Chris Burger, second from right, and Salvation Army Community Services Coordinator Lisa Clason, right, were on hand to officially open this year’s Kris Kringle Craft Market Thursday at the Parksville Community Centre. The market is open Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Va c u u m S a l e s , S e r v i c e & I n s t a l l a t i o n designed for a well-lived home. “Your local dealer & warranty centre”
Local Agent
1A-1209 E. Island Hwy, 250.954.3211
#
Parksville
(in the Heritage Centre Mall)
IslandCleaningSupplies.ca
Central Vac Systems from $399