CITY WANTS MORE FIRE SPRINKLERS
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A SLIPPERY IDEA FOR VALENTINE’S
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PROVINCE TO FIGHT BCTF COURT RULING
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FRIDAY
FEBRUARY 7 2014 www.newwestnewsleader.com
City councillor’s support of the Broncos no small potatoes. See Page A7
Tax hike of 1.96% eyed Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
GRANT GRANGER/NEWSLEADER
Ken Wilkinson, who lives in a co-op housing complex next to where Bosa Properties hopes to build its project, points to the Landmark Cinemas across the street. He estimates the podium for the Bosa project, which includes parking, would be about the same height.
Residents wary of dark side to plan Co-op residents worry podium plan would dwarf their complex and reduce natural light Grant Granger
ggranger@newwestnewsleader.com
Residents of Westminster Landing Co-op are afraid of being left in the dark if a proposed Quayside development proceeds. Bosa Properties has gone to the city with plans for two 26-storey towers on top of a seven-storey podium to be built on the parking lot adjacent to the Inn at the Quay
and the Westminster Savings Co-op resident Ken Wilkinson is building. Six of the podium’s floors most concerned for Aviso and his would be above neighbours. ground and would “That’s where accommodate they get their parking, 48 rental sunshine from.” Ken Wilkinson units, townhouses But he also It would be reasonable to put and commercial shakes his head at something that was more in space. how the podium keeping with... [what] has Gildo Aviso’s unit been here for 30 years. would loom over faces the property their buildings and with a clear view down Quayside the River Market on the other side. Drive and beyond. But not if this “It’s going to have a major effect project goes ahead. on our complex with that tower “You’ll be facing a wall,” said of parking,” said Wilkinson. “My Aviso. “It’s not a livable space.” goodness that is really going to
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intrude upon the space, and really be quite invasive upon their light. As well, it’s really going to have an effect on the landscape of the Quay because there’s no example of that on the waterfront. [The current development] was so nicely done, it was so nicely stepped up, you don’t really notice that it’s above ground.” In his opinion, the plans are too much like the above-ground parking and commercial space directly across the railway tracks from Quayside Drive, part of the New Westminster SkyTrain station.
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Bonus cash from the New Westminster’s digital sign boards has helped slide the city’s property tax increase for 2014 under two per cent. On Monday, council approved in principle a budget that would result in a tax rate increase of 1.96 per cent. Last month, a budget proposing a hike of 2.59 per cent was presented, which was whittled down to 2.12 per cent. To take it below two per cent, city council opted to include $100,000 in revenue from the large digital advertising signs located at entrances to the city. Although the sign revenue has been allocated to reserve funds for rehabilitating or replacing Canada Games Pool, a new Massey Theatre and affordable housing, the city expects to receive revenue over and above the guarantee. “The exact value of the bonus revenue is not known at this time, but based on initial projections staff believes that it is reasonable to include $100,000 in the 2014 budget,” said a report to council. Final budget approval is slated for March.