Tuesday February 5, 2013 (Vol. 38 No.11)
V O I C E
O F
W H I T E
R O C K
A N D
S O U T H
Theory of flight: Surrey students now have the opportunity to jump-start their career in the aviation industry through a ground-school training program. › see page 11
S U R R E Y
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Extraordinary steps proposed to preserve green space in South Surrey
Grandview builders face enviro levies Kevin Diakiw Black Press
A large pastoral neighbourhood half the size of Stanley Park is slated for development in South Surrey as city council considers an ambitious plan for Grandview. In fact, the environmental value of the area is so significant, the city is looking to charge a “green space levy” for all residential development within the plan as a purchase fee for
the sensitive spaces. The neighbourhood concept plan (NCP) for Grandview 4 is currently home to wildlife corridors, stream networks, and acres of protected trees on 92 separate parcels of land. Because of the high environmental value, city staff are proposing to go through extraordinary steps to save as much green space as possible. The proposed wildlife hub and corridor to
be preserved in the plan include 15 hectares (37 acres), along with another 50 hectares (120 acres) of parks and riparian areas. The plan estimates it will cost $45 million to acquire those green spaces. City staff are hoping the levy, which would average between $9,600 to $14,000 per dwelling, will cover the cost of the property. The 201-hectare (497-acre) tract of land – almost the size of Green Timbers Urban
Forest – in the NCP is also home to the residence of Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts. As such, Watts said she’ll be absenting herself from voting on the plan, which recommends allowing 15 homes per acre on her multi-acre lot. Last week, city council reviewed a draft of the plan, which will go to the public before coming back to council. › see page 4
Driver in distress
Trapped man succumbs A senior has died after his car smashed into a concrete barrier in South Surrey on the weekend. Fire crews called to an accident on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. found a man in medical distress trapped in a red Mercury Grand Marquis. The 84-year-old had been travelling westbound on 28 Avenue and continued through 188 Street, which was closed and barricaded. He smashed into the cement barrier and, when fire crews found him, he was having a heart attack. He died at the scene. Investigators are trying to determine if he was in cardiac arrest before the accident, as the barricade was well-marked. Police found no evidence he had attempted to slow down prior to impact.
Curtis Kreklau photo
Police have not released the name of a man who died Saturday after crashing into a concrete barrier in the 18800-block of 28 Avenue in South Surrey.
Mixed messages as minister claims he received apology from BC Liberal colleague
Coleman raps smart-meter response from MLA Alex Browne Staff Reporter
Jeff Nagel photo
Minister talks to media Thursday.
BORDER GOLD CORP.
Surrey-White Rock MLA Gordon Hogg stands by his words – and information provided by his office – in a continuing controversy over whether smart-meter holdouts will ultimately be forced by BC Hydro to accept the devices. And the BC Liberal MLA cites energy minister Rich Coleman’s own words in the legislature, recorded in 2011, as backing his assertion there would be an opt-out alternative to the program. “There is an opt-out program,” Coleman told the house at that time, moments later correcting
himself and saying the option would be correctly termed “a mitigation program for people who have legitimate concerns.” But Coleman had a different version at a media scrum in Vancouver Thursday. The deputy premier said the latest flurry of speculation about installation of the meters – which opponents claim compromise the health and safety of residents – is a result of misinterpretation of an opinion piece he wrote and distributed Jan. 23. “It says very clearly we’re going back to talk to our customers,” he said. “We’ll not force any customer to take a meter.”
Asked about Hogg’s belief that a permanent opt-out would be available, Coleman said “he actually contacted me and apologized.” “His office put something out, misinterpreted something to do with the op-ed that I’d sent to all members of caucus,” he added. “He’s already apologized for that.” But Hogg told Peace Arch News Friday his only apology to his BC Liberal colleague concerned an anti-smart-meter group that had taken information provided to a constituent and published it as a personal statement from the MLA. › see page 2