TransLink is seeking to improve acoustics, security, pedestrian flow and esthetics of the New Westminster SkyTrain station in its proposed upgrades, says a staff report to council.
The project includes upgrades to the existing stairs and replacement of existing escalators, replacement of the original south elevator, better lighting and installation of new windscreens on the SkyTrain platform level.
Coun. Patrick Johnstone said he’d like the city to stress to TransLink that closure of the elevator at the station needs to be “vigorously avoided” during construction.
“Elevator access at all times is fundamental,” he said.
Should SkyTrain stations be renamed?
Coun. Lorrie Williams would to rename two SkyTrain stations in New Westminster.
While Williams is pleased with TransLink’s plan to upgrades the New Westminster SkyTrain station, she’d also like it to consider renaming the two stations downtown. She said the Columbia and New Westminster stations are both located on Columbia Street and in New Westminster.
“It is a source of confusion to people who are not living in New Westminster,” she said.
Plumbing public hearing set for month-end
A bylaw that would limit the number of plumbing fixtures in garages will soon be up for debate.
Council has given first and second readings to a zoning amendment bylaw that would permit one toilet and one sink – and no other fixtures – in accessory buildings. A public hearing is set for Monday, March 30 in council chambers.
According to a staff report, 14 per cent of the building permits received by the city between 2013 and 2014 contained two or more plumbing fixtures.
“Staff is concerned that detached accessory buildings with multiple plumbing fixtures or ‘rough-ins’ are likely candidates for illegal conversion to a detached dwelling unit, which are currently not permitted in New Westminster,” stated a staff report. “Illegal dwelling units may have a propensity for life-safety issues. This is because work that is done without proper permits can be in violation of the B.C. Building and Electrical Code.”
Budget goes up and down
The city’s proposed 2015 budget continues to be a work in progress.
This year’s budget process began with a starting point of a 2.75 to a 3.45 per cent increase to the tax rate and was later whittled down to 2.36 per cent.
Coun. Jaimie McEvoy recommended the city allocate 10 per cent of the bonus revenues from the digital sign revenue to the city’s affordable housing reserve – a move that had a slight impact on the budget.
“That’s the number we are going to be going out to the public with now,” Mayor Jonathan Cote said about the 2.42 per cent. “Council has done its preliminary discussion on these items, but now we are going to be waiting for the public consultation period and feedback before we do final approval. I wouldn’t be expecting any major changes moving forward.”
New West electrical rates rising
Electrical rates are on the rise in the Royal City.
City council has given three readings to a recommendation from the electrical utility commission to increase the rates by six per cent effective April 1. The city buys its electrical energy from B.C. Hydro and has traditionally set its annual rate increases at the same of those charged by B.C. Hydro to the city.
New public hearing set for April
The City of New Westminster is adding another public hearing to April’s schedule.
The council schedule had included a public hearing on April 27, but council has approved a staff recommendation to hold public hearings on April 20.
“It is anticipated that the volume of applications being considered at public hearings in April is such that two nights of public hearings (April 20 and April 27) are appropriate,” said a staff report.
