Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Peace Arch News BNSF Series
Peace Arch News BNSF Series
Peace Arch News BNSF Series
V O I C E
O F
T H E
S E M I A H M O O
P E N I N S U L A
w w w. p e a c e a r c h n e w s . c o m
Iron will: Though there were times during the grueling race when she felt like packing it in, South Surrey resident Jackie Davidson refused to quit, battling the elements at Ironman World Championships last weekend in Hawaii. see page 39
It is estimated about 4,000 homes in Surrey contain multiple secondary suites, according to a recent poll conducted by Ipsos-Reid. Don Luymes, the citys manager of community planning, said in the survey of 1,400 residents, three per cent admitted they have multiple secondary suites in their houses. Given the number of homes
in Surrey about 130,000 that puts the multiple suites estimate at about 4,000. The figure represents a thorny issue for council as it tries to develop a strategy for regulating secondary suites that will increase the amount of affordable housing while respecting the integrity of single-family-home neighbourhoods. Multiple suites are not allowed in
Surrey. The citys planned housing strategy allows one suite per home, while shutting down homes with more than one suite. But critics say the city has done nothing to shut multiple suites down, or even keep an exact tally on how many there are. Many residents are concerned about a lack of enforcement that has allowed so many new homes with multiple suites to be built in
the first place. Elected officials say they want them eliminated, but dont want to leave tenants homeless as a result. Luymes pointed out there is no policy developed yet regarding what would happen with the people dwelling in those units. One possibility discussed among staff is to create special zoning for multiple suites. However, that would be an
onerous process as the homes are spread out across the city. The other option considered by city staff is to allow people inhabiting the suites extra time to move out. The one-suite-per-home policy would eventually create more dwellings where people could relocate. Luymes expects there will also be some way to augment enforcesee page 4
Keeping track
Alex Browne
Staff Reporter
ts a persistent rumour, but one with origins shrouded in the mists of time. Nobody seems to know, now, where the idea that the former Great Northern Railway succeeded by BNSF had a 99-year lease on the White Rock and South Surrey foreshore, on which the tracks were built in 1906-1909, came from. Its a question that comes up regularly, said Hugh Ellenwood, community historian and archivist with the White Rock Museum and Archives. We dont really know why. The fact appears indisputable that an early subsidiary of the Great Northern received a Crown grant of 150 acres from the border to Mud Bay in June 1907. And city officials confirm any current leasing of land along the tracks is being done by the city from BNSF, not vice versa. Ellenwood agreed one likely reason for the confusion is that any mention of a railway lease might suggest to the public that the railway is the one leasing the land. Local historian Vin Coyne, former editor of the Semiahmoo Sun (later the White Rock Sun),
In 1915, six years after the Great Northern line was completed along the waterfront, White Rock station was integral to the developing community. suggested the rumour has been kept alive by people who would like to see the railway removed from White Rock. But Coyne has no doubt about the lands ownership. The railway owns the property outright. There have always been rumours the land was leased from the government, but no ones ever been able to present any proof of an existing lease, he said. City manager Peggy Clark, noting the lease with BNSF was last renegotiated in 2002, said it is taken for granted the railway owns the land.
revenues from the land, whichever is higher, Kurylo said. The notion of the railway having a 99-year lease on the land is a long-standing one. Ellenwoods mother, Lorraine, in her book, Years Of Promise: White Rock 1858-1958, reprints an item from the Suns Jan. 5, 1956 edition, in which writer Ann Hanley states: Do you know that the G.N. has a 99-year lease on the foreshore for railway purposes...? Hanley continues: Whenever I hear of a large grant of timber or land being given to a foreign see page 4
ON TIME APPOINTMENTS
SERVICES WARRANTY
Breakfast
just
Saturdays & Sundays from 10am
$10
1.877.HOME.175 HOMEFORCEBC.CA
PRICE G GU GUARANTEE
FULLY INSURED
604-542-7037
news
25%
OFF
DRAPERY FABRIC
WITH CUSTOM ORDER
OCTOBER SPECIALS
40%
536-5598
LANGLEY
533-5288
Your Window Decorating Specialist Since 1982
www.blindsdrapes.com
536-5598 533-5288