Wednesday November 25, 2015 (Vol. 40 No. 94)
V O I C E
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W H I T E
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S O U T H
S U R R E Y
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So many questions: Peninsula-raised chef Lina Caschetto says moving forward is how she and others in Paris will heal from the deadly Nov. 13 attacks. i see page A11
City staff recommended changes
Oxford towers go to hearing Melissa Smalley Staff Reporter
A controversial two-tower project proposed for White Rock is one step closer to approval, after city council voted Monday to move the development forward to a public hearing next month. Residents will have a chance to weigh in on the controversial 21and 24-storey development at 1454 Oxford St. – which requires an Official Community Plan amendment and rezoning – on Dec. 7. The narrow vote – with Mayor Wayne Baldwin and Couns. Helen Fathers and David Chesney against – came after a lively discussion about the proposal, confusion about the location of a small cityowned parcel on the property and a recommendation from staff to not proceed and to refer the project for more changes. Two other developments
– 12-storey projects located sideby-side on Thrift Avenue at Oxford Street – were sent back to city staff for further changes. Presenting her report on the applications to the city’s land use and planning committee, director of planning and development services Karen Cooper recommended all three developments be referred back to staff. Regarding the Oxford project – put forth by Elegant Development, and the subject of a 2,000name petition opposing it – Cooper suggested a “reduction in massing,” which she said could be accomplished by making the towers more slender and increasing the setbacks. However, it was the ownership of the land – previously owned by Epcor and sold to Elegant pending rezoning approval – that became the subject of debate. i see page A8
Syrian refugees screening process
MP urges caution Alex Browne
that we need to do the diligence in heightening the screening process. South Surrey-White Rock MP We also have to make sure we have Dianne Watts said she is not the funding and resources in place opposed to resettling Syrto ensure refugee famiian refugees in Canada – lies have the support they but that it must be done need when they’re here.” “with due diligence and an While some members of abundance of caution.” the Conservative caucus “Most certainly the bighave been unreservedly gest issue – and it has been critical of Prime Minister my issue all along – is in Justin Trudeau’s committerms of the time frame,” ment to bring 25,000 Syrthe new Conservative MP ian refugees into Canada by told Peace Arch News on MP Dianne Watts Jan. 1 – MP Candice BerFriday, noting that she gen tweeted she is “embarhas had firsthand experience with rassed and sickened” by the Liberal practical issues of refugee resettle- leader for his stance on refugees and ment during her 10 years as mayor Canada’s ISIS mission – Watts said of Surrey. she has no issue with the general “Bringing people into the coun- principle of accepting refugees. try is easily done, but alongside i see page A4 Staff Reporter
Watch for our
Christmas Flyer Corner of 192nd St. & 48th Ave., Surrey
in today’s paper
Uphill climb
Gord Goble photo
Moments before the chain of his bike broke, South Surrey cyclist Jim Davison pedals up a dirt trail at South Surrey bike park Sunday, during the Junkyard Cross race. The event was part of the Cycling BC Premier Cross series. For more photos, see page 37.