The Onni official statement that they made in a letter to Council was a lie. They stated they were pulling out in 48 - 72 hours over six days ago. Instead Onni launched a full out offensive on Councillor Clark claiming a conflict of interest as Clark works for a cement company which is contracted on another Onni site since May 2012.
Ignoring the absurdity of the concept that Clark strongly opposed the Onni project was motivated as he could financially gain from Onni. From the work on a building he voted not to occur? When our citizens pointed this out on Twitter, websites, letters to the editor and many other ways, Onni came out with another story. Clark might have had a negative incident while working on a Onni site and became so bitter that he opposed Onni in a fit of revenge.
I think I saw this on an episode of South Park where Cartman makes outrageous statements in the form of a question as to avoid any legal action. Onni, are you still beating your wife? Pathetic.
Onni makes public noises that their public reputation is important to them and are quite distraught that people are questioning their honesty and conduct. How do people who read all the articles where Onni made a strong definitive promise one day and breaking it shortly after, think of Onni now?
The motion to hold a second public hearing is in force unless Councillor Bell again folds to the heavy pressure that the Mayor is bring down on him. Citizens will give their opinion of whether Onni should be trusted during this public hearing. It will be more negative then last time. I hope Onni's gentle demeanor can handle it, their reps may run out the room crying this time.
Really, this is the first blows of the next election where Clark and Mussatto will go head to head for the Mayor's chair. I wonder if Onni is smart enough to realize that their election donations actually diminish the chance of their projects being approved?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By going to http://www.cknw.com/news/audiovault/index.aspx and putting in the time indicated for the one story you want you will get the actual broadcast.
CKNW Story Dec 10th 1pm 0.28
Mayor Mussatto 10 Dec 1pm 6.03 Mussatto lies says vote went against Onni when Council just passed a motion to have another public hearing in January. This motion is still active and if the applicaton
Onni VP Beau Jarvis 10 Dec 1pm 19:30 Jarvis surmises that Clark might of had a negative incident on Onni site that causes him to seek revenge on Onni
Monday 10 December 2012
Wednesday 5 December 2012
Onni #4 A New Hope (Onni states application is withdrawn)
For those who are unclear on how Council has worked for years to rig the development approval game for developers when they bring their monster projects to Council, the below Twitter exchange exchange clarifies it.
@CraigKeatingNV @billgood980 Better tell the North Shore News that as I believe they reported there would be big change in density.
@StrategicThghts @billgood980 yes - but within the guidelines for density bonus in OCP. OCP amendment bylaw only for height
Since Council has made a density bonus part of the OCP it's unlimited use is not part of the OCP limits on density. So you can a have a project density 2 or 3 times what is allowed by the OCP since most of it doesn't get officially counted. The developer can slide projects out the public view if they can stick to the height limits. We are lucky that Onni needed the extra profits so badly that the 18 story limit wasn't good enough for them or we'd be in Extra Foods situation.
This is like putting a tall building on a platform on a six story platform but only counting the floors above the platform as the height of the tall building. Next we will see a rule that every floor over 12 is not officially counted so every 50 floor building is actually only counted as 12.
This whole zone (Lonsdale downtown) should be limited to 12 floors which counts all floors.
During the current OCP review, rules on density bonusing and transfers have to put in place to prevent games like this. Councillors have every right to vote against or amend sections of the proposed new OCP and if a Councillor votes to ratify the new OCP, they should be held accountable for what they are approving. A former Council let this through and it could be amended with four votes.
Ron Polly has a letter in the North Shore which calls for rules to put in place which would increase the return the City gets for increased density. It's a good starting point for discussion but there has a be a line drawn that cannot be crossed.
Since Council has made a density bonus part of the OCP it's unlimited use is not part of the OCP limits on density. So you can a have a project density 2 or 3 times what is allowed by the OCP since most of it doesn't get officially counted. The developer can slide projects out the public view if they can stick to the height limits. We are lucky that Onni needed the extra profits so badly that the 18 story limit wasn't good enough for them or we'd be in Extra Foods situation.
This is like putting a tall building on a platform on a six story platform but only counting the floors above the platform as the height of the tall building. Next we will see a rule that every floor over 12 is not officially counted so every 50 floor building is actually only counted as 12.
This whole zone (Lonsdale downtown) should be limited to 12 floors which counts all floors.
During the current OCP review, rules on density bonusing and transfers have to put in place to prevent games like this. Councillors have every right to vote against or amend sections of the proposed new OCP and if a Councillor votes to ratify the new OCP, they should be held accountable for what they are approving. A former Council let this through and it could be amended with four votes.
Ron Polly has a letter in the North Shore which calls for rules to put in place which would increase the return the City gets for increased density. It's a good starting point for discussion but there has a be a line drawn that cannot be crossed.
Sunday 2 December 2012
Court forced CNV out of Federal jurisdiction
It's Toronto for the moment but an Ontario court has struck down a bylaw of Toronto banning shark sin soup.
As the article points out, North Van has this bylaw as well. While we don't have the extent of the problem of the big cities, far too many Councillors in Canada want to do the job of their MLA or MP usually when they are of a different party than that person.
The media spotlight that politicians crave doesn't shine on the job of fixing our roads and sewers and the grandstand awaits. When you have a Councillor who is running to abandon his Council seat, grandstanding becomes a regular occurrence at the expense of the City.
Of course, since the way they have encroached federal jurisdiction and the Council has put the City at risk as businesses may sue.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1296372--toronto-councillors-outraged-after-shark-fin-ban-struck-down
A column by Trevor Lautens in July just after the passage of the bylaw.
http://www.nsnews.com/news/soup+regime+puts+democracy+shame/6963034/story.html
Kudos to Councillors Bookham and Heywood for voting against this.
Personally, I think it is wrong if the whole shark is not being used for food but the cutting off of fins and tossing a body overboard is wrong. I did notice in the Star article that they had a picture from San Francisco and one from Dubai so I doubt there is a big problem in Canada. But of course, Councillor Keating got he wanted, his name in the papers and a few TV clips.
As the article points out, North Van has this bylaw as well. While we don't have the extent of the problem of the big cities, far too many Councillors in Canada want to do the job of their MLA or MP usually when they are of a different party than that person.
The media spotlight that politicians crave doesn't shine on the job of fixing our roads and sewers and the grandstand awaits. When you have a Councillor who is running to abandon his Council seat, grandstanding becomes a regular occurrence at the expense of the City.
Of course, since the way they have encroached federal jurisdiction and the Council has put the City at risk as businesses may sue.
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1296372--toronto-councillors-outraged-after-shark-fin-ban-struck-down
A column by Trevor Lautens in July just after the passage of the bylaw.
http://www.nsnews.com/news/soup+regime+puts+democracy+shame/6963034/story.html
Kudos to Councillors Bookham and Heywood for voting against this.
Personally, I think it is wrong if the whole shark is not being used for food but the cutting off of fins and tossing a body overboard is wrong. I did notice in the Star article that they had a picture from San Francisco and one from Dubai so I doubt there is a big problem in Canada. But of course, Councillor Keating got he wanted, his name in the papers and a few TV clips.
Monday 20 August 2012
A good article on growth
Growth is a choice, not our destiny
Vancouver can lead the way by bending the population curve
Read more:http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Growth+choice+destiny/7081318/story.html#ixzz2465hhZsC
Tuesday 3 July 2012
Ivan Leonard on the increase of Citizen Engagement
Consider this unique idea folks, a Government with no opposition. Unthinkable? Yes! Yet that is exactly what our City
Governments are. What they decide becomes law. The difference being each
Councillor is, or should be; free to express his or her own individual
independent opinion, where the majority vote counts. With the intrusion of the
‘Slate,’ partisanship has removed a full council of independent voices. But,
whereas senior governments face an elected opposition each time an issue is
voted upon, Municipal Councils only face the very Citizens that elected them
when an opportunity is specifically afforded the public to be heard. While much
of that opposition is expounded in letters to the editors or in local coffee
shops, there are associations, groups in most neighbourhoods that become the
voices of the citizens, and who confront Council as the unofficial opposition.
For instance, The Lonsdale
Citizens Association (TLCA) was formed practically overnight, in 1987, by
citizens outraged with shock that their ‘City government’ approved 30 towers of
29 storeys to be built in the lower Lonsdale area. The Council backed down in
the face of furious opposition from the community. Only one tower managed to be
built. The Association maintained an active role from then on. Another
momentous occasion occurred in 2008 when they led community and stopped the “iconic”
450 ft tower from darkening the waterfront and the whole of the Lower Lonsdale
neighbourhood.
Associations are kept
simmering by a strange breed of citizens that attend Council meetings and have
been named Council Watchers. But, when a community feels pressured by Council
and becomes aroused, Associations come alive, as is presently happening right
now. The communities feel threatened by all the construction and density
erupting around them, so the Council Watchers suddenly become activists, educators
and protectors of their communities. Recently
the Low Road Project alarmed the community to such an extent that the project
was delayed by two years and almost redesigned. Without the formation of a well
organized community Association one can only wonder what the new road would
have done to the neighbourhood.
The largest project yet to
come before our City government came before Council Monday night, June 18th.
The North Shore News had headlined a letter to the editor days earlier “Mega
Project needs Mega Opposition”. Without
these Council Watchers cum Activists informing the communities and lighting the
torch of action, Council would have just approved the developer’s request, and
no one would have been aware of any of the issues the City will face when 2000
more people become residents of our little city, all the result of just a
single vote of yeas and nays. No one would have known how the councillors voted.
That is often the reason why the same names end up in the Council seats
election after election.
Councillors are constantly
confronted with projects where the developer has attached councillor’s pet
ideas forcing discussions to focus on minor incidentals and ignoring the
greater needs of the community. Associations will aggressively refocus the
discussions to the citizen’s point of view where livability is their major
concern.
Citizens face new buildings
blocking their view, casting shadows across living rooms at midday and vehicles
plugging their street. They suddenly notice it’s taking half an hour longer to
get home, construction slowing more and more traffic and their favourite store
is gone or their quiet green space isn’t quiet any more. They face the
realization that their mortgage is only half paid while their view is also half
gone and their taxes keep going up. The next rent increase will mean having to
find a cheaper place to live.
Because these Council
Watchers helped to keep the Associations members informed, last Monday’s
Council meeting was held before a packed Council Chamber and a full lobby. The
Public Hearing of the Harbourside project lasted over 4 hours with more than 30
well prepared and knowledgeable speakers presenting many important and unresolved
issues, offering sound opinions in opposition to the project.
As in all governments, some
members will respond to citizens documented and informed opinions, while others
will reject them. Such was the case in this instance. The opposition was
defeated 5-2. This was the vote they had expected. But whereas the Chambers
would have been empty without the opposition, the Citizens are now fully aware
of all the issues and how the Councillors voted. They now feel connected with a
greater awareness of their own Community and the thinking of their City
Council. What was most enlightening was that the Council Chambers were still half
full of citizens when the vote was taken at 11:15 p.m.
The Mega Project did receive
a Mega Opposition. Sadly, the decision was made long before the doors ever
opened.
Ivan Leonard
Friday 22 June 2012
A warning from The Lonsdale Community Assn on Harbourside
ONLY CITIZENS PARTICIPATION WILL STOP THE RUSH TO BUILD.
Citizens need to fill City Hall and let the Council
understand that Taxpayers want to stop this density and development frenzy and take a breath.
Today the Government has announced a new policy on mortgages that should slow down the Growth.
On June 25 at 7 pm Concert properties is applying for an OCP amendment to change the current zoning of Light industrial and Commercial to also include Residential.
They are applying to build 880 suites in 7 and 9 storey towers along the last vestiges of waterfront property the City has remaining.
We believe that no one should claim ownership of Waterfront property especially as the present narrow strip is designated park, half of which is a dog park and the Spirit Trail. Ownership of waterfront property should remain in the realm of the City’s taxpayers as a whole, in perpetuity.
It’s rather a stretch of the imagination to pack 2000 people and more with their cars in this stand-alone community, all trying to share one humpback bridge over the railway tracks at Fell Ave, with all the present office people and Auto Mall people. We have also been informed that wheelchairs find it too difficult to traverse this bridge. Hmm! Considering that within a 2 short block radius of this humpback bridge there are 7 traffic lights which include 2 on Marine Drive; the pending grid lock staggers the imagination.
That said, the added traffic from the $8 Billion Seaspan shipbuilding project, plus the nine 5 and 6 storey buildings all in various stages of completion over the next 6 months to 2 years, and all within 3 blocks of the Fell Ave. bridge, suggests to me that our Planning Dept has given up and left town.
Would not this amount of people demand some amenities such as a recreation centre, a school, daycare etc.? But who will pay for that; the City of course, we Taxpayers.
Concert Properties has said they have no intention of building another bridge, meaning it’s up to the City, or better still the taxpayers, to pay for a bridge for them. But they did say they will build a ferry pier to ferry people to the SeaBus? Why do I get the impression that developers think Citizens are just dumb? Translink has done studies for years on ferries back and forth all along the Northshore and downtown. It doesn’t work, Period. West Van’s effort last year went bankrupt.
CN rail intends to close the grade rail crossing on Bewicke in 2-3 years when the new humongous long Phosphorous trains begin to arrive; that is also the reason for the new LOW ROAD Project. CN needs the added tracking for faster turnaround for the longer trains. That means there will only be one bridge in and out of Harbourside. CN has already agreed with the District to build a bridge over the tracks at Phillips Ave two blocks West of Pemberton.
The Pemberton rail crossing will then be closed. Don’t forget in 7 years time the new SEWAGE plant will be built at that junction where the rail station is located.
So the City will be stuck trying to find the money to build a Bridge, somewhere. That is not possible, unless it's built to span the Rail tracks and Mosquito Creek for about $100 Million. And do all this, just to satisfy a developer, who will make $100 Million in property value just by having Council approve Residential construction on our Waterfront. There certainly seems to be something wrong with this picture. It doesn’t appear that we’ll be getting the new Harry Jerome Community Centre for a while yet.
But that is only a part of the problem. Look at all the DENSITY already planned and already happening, such as the Credit union Tower at 13th (ONNI - 2 towers at 13th), the Extra Foods tower at 17th and the enormous tower at West 15th. There are 8 new projects of 5 and 7 storeys from 3rd St down to 1st St and along 2nd and along 1st in the Lower Lonsdale area. Also, we must not ignore the dozens of duplexes and Coach Houses that are approved by Council every month.
As Councillor Keating continues to say, and repeated last week at Council, Manhattan is the finest example of a Sustainable Community. What he will never say is that it’s because it has the finest and most extensive subway system in America supporting it. Councillor Keating and our Mayor still insist that the City is only growing by 1% annually. With all this growth we are presently far ahead of the designated growth rate determined by Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Plan 2040. It’s been calculated that if we continue this rate until 2040 we will have the same density as Downtown Athens and Tokyo. That is our little City of North Vancouver!!
Our Hospital has only 335 beds and is the main Hospital for the Regional Area that stretches as far as Powell River. How can we afford all the necessary infrastructure? We are not building any more roads; in fact we are making them smaller and replacing them with bicycle lanes. So why this Development frenzy, this Density madness? Well I guess we now know the answer.
The Parks Master plan was passed a couple of years ago which establishes a ratio of Green space to developed space. A present as the Density increases the Green space declines, and it’s way down. The City actually has $16 million in the Parks Acquisition Fund so, in fact, could but back land from Harbourside for Park use.
In a major announcement today by the Government, it has now said “Whoa, slow down.” Mortgage terms have been shortened to 25-30 years from 45 years. The sad thing about that is it will only hurt the young people. How can our younger generation afford to live in these 1,2,3 bedroom suites along Harbourside? Will Concert Properties then have to sell their suites to offshore buyers who will then then leave them empty like Pinnacle and half of all the Condos in the Lower Mainland?
The City MUST start thinking creatively and ensure that the young CAN afford to live here. We need to have discussions with new thinkers and innovators. Not simply GIVE the CITY away because Planners and Councillors have no ideas. Council, if they had the balls, should be searching for creative ways to house the young and rent to the young.
With projects like this Harbourside, our younger generation will be shaking their heads and wondering what kind of legacy their parents and grandparent have left them. What were they thinking? WHY DID they BUY up all the Waterfront and Build, Build, Build and Sell, Sell, Sell to offshore buyers.
OUR Council should step in and shrink the project down to half this size, and then build only on the road one block north. They should include small bachelor suites for younger single people. Change the purpose of the project from the Banks and Major Developers reaping in the goodies, to the Citizens of the North Shore and no one else.
After all, this project is financed by UNION PENSION FUNDS, and what are unions for if not for people? They certainly fork out a great deal of money to fund half our Council at Election time. THE REST OF THE COUNCILLOR’S SLATE MONEY, OF COURSE, COMES FROM DEVELOPERS.
So what does that say for the morals and ethics of our democratic and judicial system? No wonder only 17% bother to vote!
Well I believe in finding and fighting for solutions and fixing what is broken, this is the era of RECYCLING after all.
Gee what a thought. That should be OUR legacy to our young Citizens. Leave them our Waterfront AND a Place to Live and a Recycled moral and ethical Council that use their own money at election times as some of our Councillors have done. Can you imagine how that would upset the applecart? Can you imagine how our Councillors would respond to that idea?
Please attend Council Monday at 7 pm. and bring a friend or neighbour. It’s our City we’re trying to save.
Ivan Leonard
Citizens need to fill City Hall and let the Council
understand that Taxpayers want to stop this density and development frenzy and take a breath.
Today the Government has announced a new policy on mortgages that should slow down the Growth.
On June 25 at 7 pm Concert properties is applying for an OCP amendment to change the current zoning of Light industrial and Commercial to also include Residential.
They are applying to build 880 suites in 7 and 9 storey towers along the last vestiges of waterfront property the City has remaining.
We believe that no one should claim ownership of Waterfront property especially as the present narrow strip is designated park, half of which is a dog park and the Spirit Trail. Ownership of waterfront property should remain in the realm of the City’s taxpayers as a whole, in perpetuity.
It’s rather a stretch of the imagination to pack 2000 people and more with their cars in this stand-alone community, all trying to share one humpback bridge over the railway tracks at Fell Ave, with all the present office people and Auto Mall people. We have also been informed that wheelchairs find it too difficult to traverse this bridge. Hmm! Considering that within a 2 short block radius of this humpback bridge there are 7 traffic lights which include 2 on Marine Drive; the pending grid lock staggers the imagination.
That said, the added traffic from the $8 Billion Seaspan shipbuilding project, plus the nine 5 and 6 storey buildings all in various stages of completion over the next 6 months to 2 years, and all within 3 blocks of the Fell Ave. bridge, suggests to me that our Planning Dept has given up and left town.
Would not this amount of people demand some amenities such as a recreation centre, a school, daycare etc.? But who will pay for that; the City of course, we Taxpayers.
Concert Properties has said they have no intention of building another bridge, meaning it’s up to the City, or better still the taxpayers, to pay for a bridge for them. But they did say they will build a ferry pier to ferry people to the SeaBus? Why do I get the impression that developers think Citizens are just dumb? Translink has done studies for years on ferries back and forth all along the Northshore and downtown. It doesn’t work, Period. West Van’s effort last year went bankrupt.
CN rail intends to close the grade rail crossing on Bewicke in 2-3 years when the new humongous long Phosphorous trains begin to arrive; that is also the reason for the new LOW ROAD Project. CN needs the added tracking for faster turnaround for the longer trains. That means there will only be one bridge in and out of Harbourside. CN has already agreed with the District to build a bridge over the tracks at Phillips Ave two blocks West of Pemberton.
The Pemberton rail crossing will then be closed. Don’t forget in 7 years time the new SEWAGE plant will be built at that junction where the rail station is located.
So the City will be stuck trying to find the money to build a Bridge, somewhere. That is not possible, unless it's built to span the Rail tracks and Mosquito Creek for about $100 Million. And do all this, just to satisfy a developer, who will make $100 Million in property value just by having Council approve Residential construction on our Waterfront. There certainly seems to be something wrong with this picture. It doesn’t appear that we’ll be getting the new Harry Jerome Community Centre for a while yet.
But that is only a part of the problem. Look at all the DENSITY already planned and already happening, such as the Credit union Tower at 13th (ONNI - 2 towers at 13th), the Extra Foods tower at 17th and the enormous tower at West 15th. There are 8 new projects of 5 and 7 storeys from 3rd St down to 1st St and along 2nd and along 1st in the Lower Lonsdale area. Also, we must not ignore the dozens of duplexes and Coach Houses that are approved by Council every month.
As Councillor Keating continues to say, and repeated last week at Council, Manhattan is the finest example of a Sustainable Community. What he will never say is that it’s because it has the finest and most extensive subway system in America supporting it. Councillor Keating and our Mayor still insist that the City is only growing by 1% annually. With all this growth we are presently far ahead of the designated growth rate determined by Metro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Plan 2040. It’s been calculated that if we continue this rate until 2040 we will have the same density as Downtown Athens and Tokyo. That is our little City of North Vancouver!!
Our Hospital has only 335 beds and is the main Hospital for the Regional Area that stretches as far as Powell River. How can we afford all the necessary infrastructure? We are not building any more roads; in fact we are making them smaller and replacing them with bicycle lanes. So why this Development frenzy, this Density madness? Well I guess we now know the answer.
The Parks Master plan was passed a couple of years ago which establishes a ratio of Green space to developed space. A present as the Density increases the Green space declines, and it’s way down. The City actually has $16 million in the Parks Acquisition Fund so, in fact, could but back land from Harbourside for Park use.
In a major announcement today by the Government, it has now said “Whoa, slow down.” Mortgage terms have been shortened to 25-30 years from 45 years. The sad thing about that is it will only hurt the young people. How can our younger generation afford to live in these 1,2,3 bedroom suites along Harbourside? Will Concert Properties then have to sell their suites to offshore buyers who will then then leave them empty like Pinnacle and half of all the Condos in the Lower Mainland?
The City MUST start thinking creatively and ensure that the young CAN afford to live here. We need to have discussions with new thinkers and innovators. Not simply GIVE the CITY away because Planners and Councillors have no ideas. Council, if they had the balls, should be searching for creative ways to house the young and rent to the young.
With projects like this Harbourside, our younger generation will be shaking their heads and wondering what kind of legacy their parents and grandparent have left them. What were they thinking? WHY DID they BUY up all the Waterfront and Build, Build, Build and Sell, Sell, Sell to offshore buyers.
OUR Council should step in and shrink the project down to half this size, and then build only on the road one block north. They should include small bachelor suites for younger single people. Change the purpose of the project from the Banks and Major Developers reaping in the goodies, to the Citizens of the North Shore and no one else.
After all, this project is financed by UNION PENSION FUNDS, and what are unions for if not for people? They certainly fork out a great deal of money to fund half our Council at Election time. THE REST OF THE COUNCILLOR’S SLATE MONEY, OF COURSE, COMES FROM DEVELOPERS.
So what does that say for the morals and ethics of our democratic and judicial system? No wonder only 17% bother to vote!
Well I believe in finding and fighting for solutions and fixing what is broken, this is the era of RECYCLING after all.
Gee what a thought. That should be OUR legacy to our young Citizens. Leave them our Waterfront AND a Place to Live and a Recycled moral and ethical Council that use their own money at election times as some of our Councillors have done. Can you imagine how that would upset the applecart? Can you imagine how our Councillors would respond to that idea?
Please attend Council Monday at 7 pm. and bring a friend or neighbour. It’s our City we’re trying to save.
Ivan Leonard
Saturday 16 June 2012
House of Cards
One day some guys named Darryl, Craig and Richard were sitting around in their clubhouse with a few packs of cards but somehow they didn't have a full deck. So Richard pipes up "why don't we build a house of cards, I bet we can build the tallest one in the whole wide world!"
Soon they ran out of cards and the house was not large enough for them. Alas, the trio didn't have any money. Craig chipped in, "Why don't we just buy more cards? I'm sure we can get some provincial and federal government money."
Unfortunately, the governments were broke having spent their all money and all the money they could borrow.
Darryl came the rescue with an idea, "I've got lots of friends with money, maybe they donate to us so we can buy some more cards."
So Darryl called his buddy Chuck who was instantly on board with the concept but said, "You guys are pikers, you don't think big enough. I'll donate money, the construction unions will toss some in and we'll hire lots of staff to write reports on the proper way to build our house. It will be a landmark!
Of course Chuck had a plan he didn't tell the boys, once done he would sell the house to Donald Trump and make gazzillions of dollars and just start up a new unique landmark and another and another....
Soon they ran out of cards and the house was not large enough for them. Alas, the trio didn't have any money. Craig chipped in, "Why don't we just buy more cards? I'm sure we can get some provincial and federal government money."
Unfortunately, the governments were broke having spent their all money and all the money they could borrow.
Darryl came the rescue with an idea, "I've got lots of friends with money, maybe they donate to us so we can buy some more cards."
So Darryl called his buddy Chuck who was instantly on board with the concept but said, "You guys are pikers, you don't think big enough. I'll donate money, the construction unions will toss some in and we'll hire lots of staff to write reports on the proper way to build our house. It will be a landmark!
Of course Chuck had a plan he didn't tell the boys, once done he would sell the house to Donald Trump and make gazzillions of dollars and just start up a new unique landmark and another and another....
Saturday 9 June 2012
Sunday 27 May 2012
28 May Council featuring Harbourside!
Agenda
Video Minutes when made available
Public Input Session
Ron Sostad
Ivan Leonard
Amanda Nichol
John Harvey
Toni Bolton
Phil C coming before Council for the first time, motivated by Councillor Buchanan's stated need to see some different faces.
CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS (Done in the back room out of public view)
Item 3 Land Matter – File: 3010-01
Report: Property Valuator-Negotiator, Community Development, May 22, 2012
This is being done in secret because the Council is declaring that the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.
Item 4 John Braithwaite Community Centre Partnering Agreement - File: 2240-01
Report: Manager, Lands and Business Services, May 8, 2012
This is being done in secret because the Council is declaring that this concerns labour relations or other employee relations.
Item 5 Legal Matter – File: 7580-01
Report City Manager and Director of Finance, May 23, 2012.
This is being done in secret because the Council is declaring that the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the municipality and a provincial government or the federal government or both, or between a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party.
PUBLIC HEARING 1835 LONSDALE
One member rose in the gallery to speak.
Delegation and Correspondence
Item 8. North Van Voices
Item 15. 15. Harbourside Official Community Plan Amendment Update (Concert
Properties/Knightsbridge): 2nd Reading – File: 6740-01
Video Minutes when made available
Public Input Session
Ron Sostad
Amanda Nichol
John Harvey
Toni Bolton
Phil C coming before Council for the first time, motivated by Councillor Buchanan's stated need to see some different faces.
CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS (Done in the back room out of public view)
Item 3 Land Matter – File: 3010-01
Report: Property Valuator-Negotiator, Community Development, May 22, 2012
This is being done in secret because the Council is declaring that the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.
Item 4 John Braithwaite Community Centre Partnering Agreement - File: 2240-01
Report: Manager, Lands and Business Services, May 8, 2012
This is being done in secret because the Council is declaring that this concerns labour relations or other employee relations.
Item 5 Legal Matter – File: 7580-01
Report City Manager and Director of Finance, May 23, 2012.
This is being done in secret because the Council is declaring that the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the municipality and a provincial government or the federal government or both, or between a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party.
PUBLIC HEARING 1835 LONSDALE
One member rose in the gallery to speak.
Delegation and Correspondence
Item 8. North Van Voices
Item 15. 15. Harbourside Official Community Plan Amendment Update (Concert
Properties/Knightsbridge): 2nd Reading – File: 6740-01
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Public Hearing - Low Level Road
Agenda - http://www.cnv.org/c//DATA/1/87/2012%2005%2023%20PUBLIC%20MEETING-LOW%20LEVEL%20ROAD.PDF
Video Minutes when they are made public - Full version until then
I've never lived in that area and being disabled, the slope makes it an area I don't walk around much but a minor grassroots rebellion rose up against the secrecy around this project by Ports Vancouver. Cynical George believes we're walking down a set path since the CNV tossed a huge amount of money to formulate the plans that Port Vancouver should have in the first place and this is just another facade. Had the Federal Govt body been a private company, it would have been illegal for the CNV to take the actions they have in subsidizing the planning.
Since many residents will not be there I will post the videos of members of public who serve our City by getting off their backsides and bother to show up.
You can watch and develop an independent opinion on the matter, I doubt the 3 Councillors of Vision North Van will do the same.
Video Minutes when they are made public - Full version until then
In less than than an hour, the public will have an opportunity to tell Council what is important to them during a public hearing on the Low Level Road. I wonder if Vision North Van will bother to listen after being outed by Councillor Buchanan who revealed that opinions contrary to her Party's agenda are not taken into proper consideration by her and members of her slate/Party.
I've never lived in that area and being disabled, the slope makes it an area I don't walk around much but a minor grassroots rebellion rose up against the secrecy around this project by Ports Vancouver. Cynical George believes we're walking down a set path since the CNV tossed a huge amount of money to formulate the plans that Port Vancouver should have in the first place and this is just another facade. Had the Federal Govt body been a private company, it would have been illegal for the CNV to take the actions they have in subsidizing the planning.
Since many residents will not be there I will post the videos of members of public who serve our City by getting off their backsides and bother to show up.
You can watch and develop an independent opinion on the matter, I doubt the 3 Councillors of Vision North Van will do the same.
Thursday 10 May 2012
Vision North Van reveals their hidden agenda
The undeclared municipal party called "Vision North Van" represented by Mayor Mussatto, Councillor Keating and Councillor Buchanan have revealed what they really think of members of the public - don't bother showing up at town halls unless you agree with their density junkie plans
So much for Civic Engagement.
So much for Civic Engagement.
Friday 4 May 2012
7 May 2012 Council Meeting
Video Minutes http://www.cnv.org/c//DATA/1/124/2012%2005%2007.PDF
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REPORTS
This has been put off until the meeting of 28 May 2012
PUBLIC INPUT SESSION
Ann Sturrock on the proposed Safeway development.
Ron Sostad on the lack of socialist party in North Van such as COPE in Vancouver.
Ron Powell on the proposed Safeway development
John Harvey on the lack of an open Police Board with a non-Council member of public being appointed to it.
DELEGATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
Item 3 Mr. Dave Brett and Mr. Ryan Prox, Residents of East 4th Street, North Vancouver.
Re: 4th Street Hydro Substation and 3rd Street Bus Depot
Re: 4th Street Hydro Substation and 3rd Street Bus Depot
Delegation Video Minutes
Item 4 Members of North Van Urban Forum (NVUF).
Re: A Business Case for the Low Level Road / Port Metro Vancouver Expansion Project
Re: A Business Case for the Low Level Road / Port Metro Vancouver Expansion Project
Insert Video Clip
Item 5 Ms. Christine Sommers, ePACT, April 3, 2012.
Re: Overview of ePACT
Re: Overview of ePACT
A private business trying to "sell?" a social network idea to Council. A network approach to emergency management as they put it. Why is this business to be dealt with in a Council Meeting?
Item 6 Ms. Nancy Kirkpatrick, Director, North Vancouver Museum & Archives,.
Re: Request for $1,000 from Council Contingency to support the North Vancouver portion of an international conference on City Museums
Re: Request for $1,000 from Council Contingency to support the North Vancouver portion of an international conference on City Museums
Item 7 Vancouver Urban Forum, May 3, 2012.
Re: “Achieving Urban Densification”, June 6, 2012, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Vancouver Playhouse, Requested by Councillor C.R. Keating.
Re: “Achieving Urban Densification”, June 6, 2012, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Vancouver Playhouse, Requested by Councillor C.R. Keating.
Council approves the ?th meeting or convention of this three term term.
Approved Unanimously
REPORTS
Item 8 Arts Office: Operating and Project Grant Recommendations
Approved Unanimously
Item 9, 10 Subdivision and Development Control Bylaw, 2011, No. 8014, Underground Power & Communication Requirements for 1-Unit Dwellings – Update
Approved Unanimously
Item 11 Development Variance Permit Application, 1835 Lonsdale Avenue
This is part of the creation of the Lonsdale Canyon where one will be able to stand on Lonsdale and 12th and be able to look down a long narrow canyon created by Lonsdale having all 6 to 24 story building all along it.
More height and density by mixing residential above businesses. They want an increase from 40 to 53 feet. It is not clear if the present rental suites were legal.
5-1 Bookham opposed
Item 12, 13 Proposed Revisions to the Development Procedures Bylaw
Approved Unanimously
Item 14 Central Waterfront Workshop Follow-Up
Approved Unanimously
Item 15 Development Application: 1308 Lonsdale Avenue (Onni 1308 Lonsdale Holdings Ltd./IBI/HB Architects) (********This is the SAFEWAY SITE*********)
Clark brings up $10,000 in donations made to the Mayor.
The essential part of the vote to hold a Town Hall meeting on the current insane plan.
4-2 with Councillor Clark and Bookham opposed
The essential part of the vote to hold a Town Hall meeting on the current insane plan.
4-2 with Councillor Clark and Bookham opposed
Item 16 Existing Buildings Retrofit Framework
MOTIONS
Item 17 Submitted by: Councillor R.C. Clark
BE IT RESOLVED THAT a staff led workshop session be scheduled for mid September 2012 for the subject of the Harry Jerome Rec Centre rebuild/renovation.
Item 18 Submitted by: Councillor R.C. Clark.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff report on the implications to the City for the North Vancouver School Board’s Long Term Property Plan in a timely fashion.
See Information Report of the Community Planner dated April 18, 2012.
Item 19 Submitted by: Councillor R.C. Clark.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT an in camera meeting of City Council be scheduled as soon as possible on a separate non-Council Meeting evening to discuss Goals and Objectives, Performance Review and Succession Planning for the City Manager.
Item 17 Submitted by: Councillor R.C. Clark
BE IT RESOLVED THAT a staff led workshop session be scheduled for mid September 2012 for the subject of the Harry Jerome Rec Centre rebuild/renovation.
Item 18 Submitted by: Councillor R.C. Clark.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff report on the implications to the City for the North Vancouver School Board’s Long Term Property Plan in a timely fashion.
See Information Report of the Community Planner dated April 18, 2012.
Item 19 Submitted by: Councillor R.C. Clark.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT an in camera meeting of City Council be scheduled as soon as possible on a separate non-Council Meeting evening to discuss Goals and Objectives, Performance Review and Succession Planning for the City Manager.
CONSENT AGENDA (These items are just voted on with no debate)
Item 20 2012 Children and Youth Initiative Fund – Special Project Grant Applications
Item 21 Metro Vancouver 2040: Shaping Our Future – Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw Proposed Amendment (Request from the City of Coquitlam)
Item 22 Sustainable and Ethical Purchasing Policy
CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS (Done in back room out of public view)
Item 23. Land Matter
Report: Property Valuator-Negotiator, Community Development, May 2, 2012.
Report: Property Valuator-Negotiator, Community Development, May 2, 2012.
This is being done in secret because the Council is declaring that the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality.
Item 24. Land Matter
Report: Manager, Lands and Business Services, May 3, 2012.
Report: Manager, Lands and Business Services, May 3, 2012.
This is being done in secret because the Council is declaring that
the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements,
if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to
harm the interests of the municipality.
Item 25. RCMP Contract
Verbal Report: Mayor D.R. Mussatto
This is being given in secret because the Council is declaring that the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to negotiations between the municipality and a provincial government or the federal government or both, or between a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party.
Friday 20 April 2012
23 April 2012 Council Meeting
Agenda http://www.cnv.org/c//DATA/1/87/2012%2004%2023.PDF
Video Minutes http://www.cnv.org/c//DATA/1/124/2012%2004%2023.PDF
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The feed is shutting down every few minutes, staff has to get this transmission fixed.
Dr. Evan Wood, Professor of Medicine, University of British Columbia,
“Stop the Violence BC, Does Marijuana Prohibition Make Our Communities
Less Safe?” – File: 0320-01
Delegation requested by Council on April 2, 2012.
It is far to busy a night for non-Council chat fests like this. It's going on and on and they have not really started the workshop and the real agenda!!!
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COUNCIL WORKSHOP (Following Item No. 9)
Re: Central Waterfront – File: 6740-01
This Council workshop is intended to present options for the future of the Central Waterfront including the proposed sites of the North Vancouver Museum, the Presentation House Gallery and Lot 5 (the former National Maritime Centre site).
The workshop will include a staff presentation followed by discussion by members of Council.
See information report of the Director, Community Development dated April 3, 2012 and correspondence of the Lower Lonsdale Business Association dated August 2, 2011
COUNCIL WORKSHOP (Following Item No. 9)
Re: Central Waterfront – File: 6740-01
This Council workshop is intended to present options for the future of the Central Waterfront including the proposed sites of the North Vancouver Museum, the Presentation House Gallery and Lot 5 (the former National Maritime Centre site).
The workshop will include a staff presentation followed by discussion by members of Council.
See information report of the Director, Community Development dated April 3, 2012 and correspondence of the Lower Lonsdale Business Association dated August 2, 2011
Thursday 19 April 2012
A message from The Lonsdale Community Association
To all TLCA members and Supporters and Friends. Please pass on to friends and neighbours and Strata Councils. 18th April 12
NOW IS THE TIME TO TALK TO CITY COUNCIL
The Harbourside proposal is the Largest project in our City and about the same size as the Pinnacle Towers project (which is not completed and only partially occupied). It will have a profound affect on the life of the City for over a 100 years. The 370.000 sq ft 800 suites proposal must be discussed at a public Town Hall Meeting with City Council, the present owners of the Harbourside property Concert Properties( Owned by Union Pension Funds) and the owners of the $13 Billion Shipbuilding contract Seaspan, to determine the future benefit for our City.
Why is the City prior to any extensive public debate and after spending $250,000 promoting the CityShaping program to review the Cities own Official Community Plan ignoring the OCP review and rushing through with the developers wishes to amend the OCP and rezone the property to Residential? The massive amount of expensive infrastructure together with another bridge over the Rail tracks needed to mitigate this whole project must be understood before any approval.
Seaspan’s $13Billion contracts offers a once in a lifetime opportunity for our little City to benefit and grow financially offering good paying jobs and become a world class Shipbuilding and Marine Centre once again.
Perhaps we could have our Harry Jerome Rec’ Centre earlier than we ever imagined or even a National Maritime Centre at last.
At present this whole area is zoned “ light Industrial and Commercial” with new warehouses, industry, workshops, Offices and the AutoMall and where even the new City Works Yards are being built near there as we speak. The property is adjacent to Seaspan’s extensive work yards and would be an idea location to provide additional workshops and ship building on the harbour. But until we know what Seaspan’s needs are no decisions should be made. The democratic system demands that all parties concerned must participate in open dialogue in the building of our City. While there will be quiet- behind- the- scene discussions but as taxpayers and citizens we need to be part of these discussions through our City Councillors.
Please contact Council members and EXPRESS your OPINIONS
Mayor Darrell Mussatto 604 998 3280 dmussatto@cnv.org
Don Bell 604 987 2355 dbell@cnv.org
Pam Bookham 604 986 5560 pbookham@cnv.org
Linda Buchanan 604 988 7270 lbuchanan@cnv.org
Rod Clark 604 351 8166 rclark@cnv.org
Guy Heywood 604 9885326 gheywood@cnv.org
Craig Keating 604 984 7485 ckeating@cnv.org
News Flash! SEASPAN will be addressing Council Monday April 23rd
Please attend this could be an historic meeting for us all
Ivan Leonard
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