Pipeline opponents to get their day in court 3 / Councillors say farewell 5
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Eight-year-old’s creations to help a good cause 3
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014
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Christmas Fund Drive promises twice the holiday cheer
Martin van den Hemel photo This Thursday’s (Nov. 27) Fourth Annual Richmond Christmas Fund Drive-Thru event has made it that much easier for locals to drop off their donations for local families in need, thanks to a partnership with River Rock Casino Resort. While people can still drop off their cash and toys at the Lansdowne Centre parking lot next to the Lansdowne Station of the Canada Line, donations will also be accepted at Bridgeport Station next to River Rock.
Richmond’s fourth annual Christmas Fund Drive-Thru is set for tomorrow morning at Lansdowne Centre. From 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., volunteers will set up next to the Canada Line station to collect donations of cash and toys for the Christmas Fund. Anyone who donates will be treated to a muffin and coffee. And a second drop-off location at River Rock Casino Resort promises to help ensure this year’s collection of cash and toys will be bigger and better than ever. “We’re very excited to have River Rock as a partner,” says Volunteer Richmond executive director Elizabeth Specht. “They’re really enthusiastic about being part of the event and the location is great, especially for those taking the Canada Line. You can make a donation, get your coupon, and hop on a train all i less than five minutes. It’s certainly a convenient way to go.” Specht says the fact the event is now in its fourth year speaks to support and generosity of the community. “Part of the fun is that we never know who will show up,” she said. “Last year, both the RCMP and Fire-Rescue stopped by to make donations. And Ideon Packaging brought a truck so big it wouldn’t fit under our tent.”
Suites versus cash is ‘apples and bananas,’ says councillor Policy allowing developers to contribute cash instead of secondary suites raises questions by Matthew Hoekstra Staff Reporter Developers subdividing single-family lots are getting licence to build by contributing little to affordable housing, two Richmond councillors charged Monday. City policy requires applicants for single-family rezonings to ensure half the subdivided lots have secondary suites—or provide cash for the
city’s affordable housing fund. Council heard at Monday’s meeting that two Steveston subdivision proposals intend to use the cash option. But that cash—$1 per square foot—versus a suite is no comparison, said Coun. Bill McNulty. “We’re talking apples and bananas here,” he said. “The amount that the developer is paying for this is really next to nothing compared to what that suite could be worth.” McNulty said the city needs affordable housing and “unless it’s a very large development, we don’t get anything.” “There’s some areas of Richmond where there’s a whole slew of single family subdivisions coming forward, and the city is getting zero for them.”
Black Friday is coming...
John Foster, the city’s manager of community social development, said staff are reviewing the affordable housing strategy and plan to address the matter of single-family projects in January. In one new rezoning file, applicant Oris Consulting Ltd./Citymark Properties is seeking to subdivide a single-family lot at 5440 Moncton St. into three—in an area subject to another proposal to turn six lots into 30. In this case, the applicant is proposing to contribute $5,980 to the affordable housing reserve instead of building a suite. In another application Li Qin Chen is seeking to split 10726 Hollybank Dr. into two properties. The applicant is proposing to hand over $5,897 in lieu of a suite.
Both projects received first reading Monday in a 7-2 vote. Coun. Harold Steves, the only other councillor to side with McNulty, told his council colleagues they don’t have to accept what a developer is offering regardless of city policy. “If we’re going to have integrated market (and affordable housing), then we have to go with a strategy that the developers should put in the suites or laneway housing or whatever, and not give us donations to cluster all the poor people in one building,” he said. Coun. Evelina Halsey-Brandt said she supports the applications because both follow current policy. “I would like both of these developers to build those suites, but I can’t force them to do it.”
November 28 and 29, you’ll find fabulous Black Friday deals on electronics, photography, fashion, accessories, home appliances, and so much more. Check out Friday’s paper for full details! Lansdowne Centre: unique stores, great people. lansdowne-centre.com 604 270 1344 Lansdowne Canada Line Station 5300 No. 3 Road & Alderbridge in Richmond
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