Plant protection
Residents address damage to native plant garden Page A3
NEWS: United Way boss switches hats /A4 ARTS: Artists collaborate for Cedar Hill showing /A14 SPORTS: Kidsport Victoria hits a milestone /A20
OAK BAYNEWS Wednesday, June 5, 2013
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Clive Drive development moves ahead Pounding for the Party
Consultation continues with increased approval from neighbourhood Natalie North
Oak Bay High bass drum player Kelsey Ward smiles wide as she, tom-tom drummer Miles Fuller, left, and their fellow bandmates march into Estevan Village during the Oak Bay Tea Party parade on Saturday. See story, more photos, on page A3.
News staff
The proposed levelling of an outdated apartment in favour of a much larger rental unit on Oak Bay Avenue at Clive Drive has yet to receive full support. But some residents are changing their minds about allowing a new development into the village. The Clive, a proposed three-storey, 18-unit building, would replace the two-storey, eightunit 1940s-era Clive Apartments currently at 2280 Oak Bay Ave. Developer JN Development group has been consulting with area residents online and via community meetings since October – a process which thus far has yielded significant alterations to the first proposed design. The extra storey would add only about a metre of height over the existing building, by building deep into the site. The process has also seen a shift from the originally proposed 23 units with 13 parking stalls, to the current plan of 19 units and 16 parking stalls. In terms of streetscape, the design doubles the width of the sidewalk in front of the building and puts power lines underground. Setbacks on the north and south side of the building have been increased since the original proposal, but do not yet meet the requirements set out by the district. “There were initial concerns over parking and traffic and the size of the building,” said Gregory Damant, principal architect with designers Cascadia Architects.
PLEASE SEE:
Clive project, Page A13
Don Descoteau/News staff
Eight deaths in region linked to painkiller Fentanyl evolving into powerful street drug around the province Daniel Palmer News staff
Provincial health officials are warning of a potent prescription drug on the streets responsible for at least eight deaths in the Capital Region so far this year. Fentanyl, an opiate used for pain control, is believed to be a contributing factor in 23 deaths across the province in the first four months of 2013, according to the B.C. Coroners Service.
There were 20 deaths connected to the drug in B.C. in 2012. Victoria Police Department Const. Mike Russell said officers have noticed a spike in fentanyl use in the city, and remain concerned when any new drug hits local streets. Dr. Perry Kendall, provincial health officer, issued a provincewide warning to emergency room doctors and paramedics last Wednesday (May 29), after a meeting with the coroner’s office, police officers, public health officials and toxicologists. “It’s a very, very, very potent narcotic,” Kendall said. The Vancouver Police Department and RCMP have reported seeing a spike in clandestine lab production of the drug,
which usually is usually sold on the street in powder form, he said. Matt Brown, Vancouver Island regional coroner, confirmed that eight deaths connected to fentanyl have occurred in the Capital Region, but said he can’t discuss specifics due to ongoing investigations. “We have seen a regional increase (in the use of fentanyl),” he said, adding the province is facing a substance abuse problem with 200 to 300 deaths every year related to drug overdoses. “We wanted to make sure the message was provided to the community and precautions were taken,” Brown said.
PLEASE SEE:
Street version, Page A19
OAK BAY FAMILY DINING FREE Appetizer
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