Courage Canada Hits the Ice PAGE 41
TUESDAY December 17, 2013 • www.langleytimes.com NEWS Human Cost of Drunk Driving
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ARTS & LIFE Jamming for the Food Bank
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SPORTS Gators Snap Up a Win
‘Common sense’ Coulter Berry reasons released
Cop, welldressed thief in run down
JUDGE EXPLAINS WHY HE RULED AGAINST TOWNSHIP APPROVAL OF CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT D AN FERGU SO N Ti m e s Re po r t e r
The B.C. Supreme Court judge who halted work on the controversial Coulter Berry building has released his written reasons for overturning the Township approval of the controversial project, calling it a “common sense” decision. Justice Joel Groves said the Township violated its own regulations when it approved a heritage alteration permit (HAP) for the project that allowed construction of a three-storey building that was bigger than the maximum size allowed in the heritage conservation area of downtown Fort Langley. Under the Township bylaw, a heritage alteration permit allows council to “vary” the restrictions on buildings in a conservation area, but it does not allow bigger buildings. The bylaw specifically says “the use or density of use may not be varied” which means the case turns on one simple question, Judge Groves wrote. “… has Langley changed
the density of use of this parcel of land by allowing a footprint in excess of 67 per cent of the area of the land and by allowing a building to three storeys high rather than two,” Groves said. “Common sense, and any reasonable interpretation of density of use, suggest that they have.” The proposed building is approximately 50 per cent higher than the current zoning allowed and the council also allowed a “modest increase in the footprint of the building on the lands in question,” Groves said. He also wrote that council could legally change the zoning of downtown Fort Langley to approve bigger buildings like Coulter Berry “through the usual process of public hearings and public consultations.” The Chilliwack judge ruled in favour of the Fort Langley Residents for Sustainable Development and against the Township on Oct. 25, halting the construction. Continued Page 4
LANGLEY MOUNTIE CHASES SHOPLIFTING SUSPECT OVER FOUR FENCES DA N F E R G US ON Time s Re po rte r
A LY S S A O’ D E LL Langley Time s
Singer, songwriter and one-time NHL draft pick Chad Brownlee surprises fans with an impromptu performance outside the Basics for Babies fundraiser concert Sunday, Dec. 15 at the Langley Events Centre. Donations are still being tallied, but organizers said that as of Monday the event raised at least $50,000 to help local food banks stock up on basic baby essentials for families in need.
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A 24-year-old who allegedly led Langley police on a frantic foot chase was due to appear in court Monday over a Dec. 12 incident that saw a determined Mountie pursue a shoplifting suspect over several obstacles. Langley RCMP said they were called by the loss prevention officer at Winners on the Langley Bypass shortly after 7:30 p.m., after someone was spotted putting on multiple layers of clothing. When the suspect emerged from the store after about an hour, officers were waiting and the chase was on. The shoplifter took off running, followed by a Mountie. Continued Page 3
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