Peace Arch News – Land sales focus of pre-budget debate.

Finance Minister Mike de Jong rejected NDP criticism of his government’s sale of Crown land Thursday, and promised an update on the disposal of up to 100 properties when he presents his pre-election budget on Feb. 19.

De Jong’s comments came after NDP leader Adrian Dix and finance critic Bruce Ralston visited one of the few properties whose location is known, a large vacant lot in Surrey that was bought in 1998 as a possible future hospital site.

Ralston said the government has counted on raising $475 million in 2013 and more than $200 million the following year through asset sales, to help balance a 2013 budget after the current one ends in the red by $1.4 billion.

Read more: http://www.peacearchnews.com/news/190285201.html

Developing Story: Musqueam hold second open house for proposed development on University Endowment Lands.

The second of three planned open houses regarding the Musqueam Indian Band’s proposal to develop a 22-acre parcel on University Endowment Lands goes ahead Feb. 6 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the University Golf Club, 5185 University Blvd.

The band wants to develop land known as Block F between University Boulevard and Acadia Road, which was returned to it by the provincial government under a 2008 reconciliation agreement.

Community consultation is in advance of a formal rezoning application, which will be submitted to UEL. The first open house on Dec. 6 attracted 300 people over four hours, according to Gordon Easton, the project manager from Colliers International.

After more than 50 Vancouverites signed up to speak at a public hearing Tuesday night, city council planned to push back its vote by two weeks on a controversial plan to rezone a prime piece of waterfront real estate in the city’s West End.

Many of the planned speakers were locals asking city hall either to reject the plan or force affordable housing into a Beach Towers rezoning application that proposes the development of 133 units available at above-market rental prices.

“We want a third of these units to have a starting rent that’s targeted to the median income in our community,” said Christine Ackermann of the West End Residents Association. “I think it’s our job to push city hall for more affordability and I think they can get it.”

The rezoning hearing for the Beach Towers STIR project (click here to view rezoning application documents) is happening now. 

Click here to watch the proposal live.

The owners of 1551 Pemberton Avenue, located just south of the McDonalds parking lot, are proposing a 4 storey mixed use building, consisting of 5,642 SF of commercial floor space on the main floor and 30 residential units on the upper 3 floors. The residential units are a blend of 1 and 2bedroom units ranging in size from 530 square feet to 918 square feet. There will be 59 underground parking spaces.

Source: District of North Van