Richmond car importer runs out of gas 3 / Death strikes close to home 6
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RICHMONDREVIEW.COM
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2014
Baby waits for New Year’s Day Interior designer and home builder create an addition for the family
Property values slip in Richmond Most homeowners see ‘modest’ changes; local home assessments dip 2.73 per cent
by Martin van den Hemel Staff Reporter He doesn’t have a name yet, and to be honest, his bedroom’s not even finished. But don’t be quick to blame his interior designer mom Tanya Krpan, or her husband, home builder Jure Krpan for slacking off. They’re just happy their latest addition to the family is healthy—a little brother for 21-month-old Ivan. “We’re just very indecisive. We’ve narrowed it down to three (names),” Tanya said. And as parents of multiple children know, things are just different for second babies. The newest Krpan was the first child born in 2014 at Richmond Hospital, entering the world at 1:05 a.m. Jan. 1, though he was a few days late. Tanya’s due date was Dec. 28. But when Dec. 31 rolled around, and midnight neared, the competitive juices started flowing a bit for Jure, a former Richmond High soccer player. Jure said he had a gut feeling on Dec. 31 that their newest child was going to come right around the turn of the year. The fact their delivery room was number 14 proved to be
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by Martin van den Hemel and Tom Fletcher Black Press
Martin van den Hemel photo Jure Krpan and his wife Tanya are proud new parents, though he doesn’t quite have a name yet.
foreshadowing. The Krpans had friends and family over to celebrate on New Year’s Eve when Tanya started to feel contractions. Another couple was also in the maternity ward, and she was due earlier, so the Krpans
thought they had no chance to be the first of 2014. And when baby arrived at just after 1 a.m., they and their doctor, Dr. Shelley Jetzer, figured they came up short. But no-name Krpan was first after all.
Though she works as design director at Earls Restaurants, no-name Krpan’s room is only half finished. She’ll have to explain to him why his older brother’s bedroom was finished in time, while his wasn’t.
A Steveston house built in 1972, previously valued at $807,500, has dropped 3.8 per cent in assessed value, according to the latest figures from B.C. Assessment. And a 1997-built house in Broadmoor fell 7.8 per cent in value, from $1.403 million to $1.29 million. Those are two examples from the 2014 assessment roll, released Thursday by the Crown corporation, which said assessment notices for the new year are now being mailed to property owners. City of Richmond spokesperson Ted Townsend said the average drop in value of residential property in Richmond was 2.73 per cent. But other sectors saw increases, from the utilities, up 3.04 per cent, major industry, up 8.31 per cent, and light industry, up 14.03 per cent. The assessment of general farm properties was up 0.13 per cent. So how will these latest figures impact your property taxes. Townsend said that with the 2.96 per cent tax increase approved by council, and assuming no adjustments to the mill rate between residential and commercial properties, the average residential property owner will see a municipal tax increase of $45.14, assuming that owner’s assessment change falls within the overall average for the city. Those who experienced a larger change than the average, will see a larger tax increase, with those below the average seeing a smaller increase. “Most homes in the South Fraser Region are remaining stable in value compared to last year’s assessment roll,” said Craig Barnsley, deputy assessor. “Most homeowners in the South Fraser region will see modest changes in the -5 to +5 per cent range.” See Page 3
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