THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2013
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LIGHTHOUSE DEVELOPMENT
Deep Bay divided Proposal calls for 386 residences and 292 RV sites
NEIL HORNER
news@pqbnews.com
Deep Bay residents are deeply divided over a proposed development in the community that would see the housing density of the area skyrocket. That division, coupled with what was expressed by some residents as a deep distrust of the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), turned out to be a potent mix at a special meeting with Deep Bay residents and RDN director Bill Veenhof at the Bowser Legion Tuesday night. The proposed Deep Bay strata development by Baynes Sound Investments would see 386 residential units and an RV resort with 292 units, along with park space, trails and a community building. Moderator Robert Legatt was well aware of the tension Tuesday among the approximately 70 people at the meeting, making a plea for civility prior to getting down to business. “We’re all neighbours here,” he said. “Keep it friendly.” Veenhof, the RDN director for Area H (Deep Bay-Bowser), said he needs to remain neutral on the issue, noting there are many people in favour of the development, as well as many opposed. “I made a couple of motions that moved the Baynes Sound application down the road, and some of you are not for that approach,” he said. “It’s a fine line to navigate. Just because in some situations I’m not for you doesn’t mean I am against you. The last thing I can be seen as is a shill for Baynes Sound Investments.” Veenhof said he plans to remain neutral throughout the process until a survey is held in the community. At that time, he said, he will take a stand. See SURVEY, page A9
PETER MCCULLY PHOTO
WHAT’S OLD BECOMES NEW: The old Ken-Dor Garden Centre building at Wembley Mall was being torn down Wednesday by contractors Parksville Heavy Equipment as work continues preparing the site for a new Save-On Foods store.
QUALICUM BEACH
Issues causing ‘distress’ Councillor still intends to introduce motion calling for RCMP involvement JOHN HARDING editor@pqbnews.com
The resolution of issues at the fire hall should be an “extremely high priority” for council and senior management at Qualicum Beach town hall, Coun. Bill Luchtmeijer said this week. “Just about everyone I meet on the street wants to talk about the fire hall,” Luchtmeijer told The NEWS on Tuesday. “It’s something the community is talking about indepth. It has caused an undue amount of distress amongst the public. “The sooner we resolve this the better it will be for the health and well-being of the community.”
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Luchtmeijer was asked what he thought were the next steps in the process, now that the entire Fire Service Report has been made public. “It’s an extremely high priority in the town,” he said. “There is going to be pressure on to see senior management in both the town hall and the fire hall address the issues and rectify them. And that goes for council too.” Luchtmeijer said he believes council’s role could be to make changes to the town’s Fire Services Bylaw, which was passed into law before the fire department had full-time, paid members. See DEPARTMENT, page A9
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