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! For the past seven years, it has been one thing to drive by Steveston High and talk about the myriad of consequences from its closure, but to finally see its bricks and mortar vanish is certainly another. Pictured is long-time Steveston Secondary music teacher Len Kay sounding a dignified Last Post before the gymnasium and music and drama rooms meet their fate. ‘Beyond the daily classes, many events were held herein, where students, faculty, staff, alumni, community, and special guests assembled to enjoy, to celebrate, to contemplate, and to honour the gamut of scholastic endeavours and achievements,’ Kay told the Richmond News. Kay noted past principal Bob Carkner’s annual Remembrance Day address: ‘Here and now we honour the past, engage the present, and build the future.’ The future of the site is a 133unit townhouse development. Photo by Graeme Wood
What’s Wh ’ inside: i id
COMMUNITY: Global driver stops off in Richmond.
More demolitions than ever Day: ‘If I was a builder, I would be fast-tracking anything, too’ Graeme Wood
Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com
J
uly was a record-breaking month for single-family home demolitions in Richmond, and at least two city councillors are split on why that may be. Coun. Carol Day said she is sure the spike in demolitions is a result of a delay in a decision to amend residential zoning bylaws, as well as the lengthy — and now highly publicized — process to terminate land-use contracts. “I knew this was going to happen. Everyone said, ‘Oh no, we won’t see a spike.’ So this next six months is critical,” said Day, referring to the early termination process for the old, provincial contracts which allow larger homes on smaller lots relative to what the city’s residential zoning bylaws dictate.
Day also said the delay to amend those bylaws, in order to implement greater setbacks and more limitations to the volume of newly built homes, is another reason for the spike. “If I was a builder, I would be fast-tracking anything, too,” she said. In July developers/builders were given the green light by the City of Richmond 65 times to demolish a single-family home. The number marks a monthly record since 2006, when the data began to be posted online by the city. Since January 2009 — the last time zoning bylaws changed (to allow higher homes) — the monthly average has been 29. As well, 2015 is on pace to be a record year for home demolitions. So far, 287 homes have met their fate. If the trend continues, 492 will be torn down by January. The annual average since 2009 is 351 homes. In 2011, 473 homes were demolished.
If Day is correct about the push to build more, the city may be looking at an even greater rush of development in single-family neighbourhoods granted the process to fully extinguish land-use contracts on 4,000-plus homes could take one to two years, according to deputy city manager Joe Erceg, who has noted there will likely be appeals. A decision to amend the city’s residential zoning bylaws may be completed as early as late September following a Sept. 8 public hearing on tentatively approved changes to home setbacks (space between homes and property lines). The hearing takes place at Richmond City Hall and the public is welcome to comment on city council’s decision in July, which saw a 7-2 vote against the recommendations of city planners, who sought to limit ceiling heights and setbacks in a greater manner. See Spike page 6
SUMMER FEATURES
BAR B Q RIBS
WILD HALIBUT FILET
Full rack of tender pork ribs, brushed with our zesty BBQ sauce, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables
Wild halibut filet pan seared baked, topped with a creamy Dijon caper sauce served with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables
2195
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2495
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MUSSEL & PRAWN RACK OF LAMB LINGUINE CHOPS & LOBSTER
1995
$
Half pound of mussels, tiger prawns, sautéed in a creamy white wine ouzo sauce tossed in linguine noodles
2895
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Two tender grilled rack of lamb chops, served with a 4oz. lobster tail, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and Felicos special lamb mint sauce
15
ENTERTAINMENT: Matt and Kim headline new World Festival. 22
SPORTS d l spree SPORTS: M Medal for Richmond athletes. 25
Please reserve NOW for Belly Dancing August 22nd
SEAFOOD PLATTER FOR 2
1795
$
per person Greek salad, hamous, salziki, pita bread, ice shrimp cocktail, stuffed tiger prawns,kalamaria, sauteed seafood (prawns, halibut, salmon, scallops), mussels, roast potatoes, rice and seasonal vegetables. Offer valid 7 days a week with this coupon Expires August 26th 2015
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