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WEDNESDAY July 21, 2010
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Coquitlam junior Adanacs strike first in their playoff series with Delta.
Your source for local news, sports, weather and entertainment. www.thenownews.com
Plehanov trial delayed Simone Blais sblais@thenownews.com
The case against the substitute teacher charged with sexually abusing Coquitlam students will be delayed until at least the fall due to court scheduling conflicts. Aleksandr Vladimirovich Plehanov, 35, was scheduled to appear in Port Coquitlam provincial court Tuesday afternoon for an arraignment hearing. Crown counsel Susan McCallum told the court, however, that Plehanov’s counsel, Lisa Helps, had contacted prosecutors about a conflict in schedules. Helps is overseeing a lengthy murder trial in Prince George that involves several witnesses. McCallum said Aug. 10 is the next date the two counsels could schedule a pre-trial conference, subject to the conclusion of Helps’ other trial. “There is still more material that needs to be reviewed,” McCallum said. Plehanov faces four charges of sexual exploitation for allegedly touching seven- and eight-year-old girls at school. Three charges stem from March 10 allegations, while the fourth dates back to Oct. 13, 2009. He was arrested in March and released on bail with 13 conditions, including staying away from schools, daycares, swimming pools, playgrounds, skating rinks and rec centres. He is prohibited from working or volunteering with kids younger than 14. He is also not allowed to contact the alleged victims. Plehanov was arrested again in early June for allegedly breaching the terms of his release. He was released with additional bail conditions that preclude him from being in the Tri-Cities without the written permission of his bail supervisor.
Paul vanPeenen/NOW
ARTISTIC EXPRESSION: A woman walks through the Leigh Square Community Arts Village in Port Coquitlam, where a wooden tank designed by artist Neil Chung is on display as part of the Green Revolution exhibit. The multimedia group show, which runs through Sunday, examines the growing movement and impact of greening and sustainability in architecture, design and community practices.
Burquitlam development approved Clarke Road project will feature highrises, townhouses and a grocery store Jennifer McFee jmcfee@thenownews.com A building boom is about to begin in Burquitlam to prepare for an anticipated Evergreen Line station. Coquitlam council approved a development permit and zoning amendments Monday for a mixed-use high-density project that will include two highrise towers, six townhouses, three retail units and a grocery store in the 500 block of Clarke Road. Co-applicants Bosa Properties and Safeway have been working diligently to make this project a reality, said city planner Erica Tiffany. “We would like very much to see this application move forward because it’s a critical element to achieving the transit village commercial uses around
the future Evergreen Line light-rail ALRT station,” Tiffany said. “It’s going to be a catalyst for the Coquitlam neighbourhood plan.” Before going ahead with the project, however, Bosa must meet two conditions: find a loading space for the first tower and identify additional off-street parking spots. Since the development will be near the future Burquitlam Station, Coquitlam’s transit-village policy allows for a 30-per-cent reduction in onsite parking. Bosa requested a 20-per-cent parking variance, bringing the required spaces down to 604 from 695. Coun. Mae Reid is concerned this reduction could set a precedent for future developments, which could leave the site short hundreds of parking spots. “Maybe the person living in that apartment doesn’t have a car, but they might actually know
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another person on the planet who might have a car to drive and visit them,” Reid said. “At least they’d have a place to park … It’s going to be a nightmare for us.” Like Reid, Coun. Lou Sekora believes the developer needs to deal with parking concerns. “My heart will not bleed for them at all … They’ll build. They’ll sell. They’re gone,” Sekora said. “Who’s left with the headaches? The residents of this community and we are, as councillors.” However, Mayor Richard Stewart said it would be wasteful to provide too many parking spaces since they will sit vacant once the Evergreen Line is built. “If we don’t think SkyTrain is coming, let’s not approve this rezoning because it’s inappropriate if
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