[news] UBC Challenged Over Plan To Build Towering Skyscrapers

[Steve Kisby]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 21, 2004
UBC CHALLENGED OVER PLAN TO BUILD TOWERING SKYSCRAPERS
The Wreck Beach Preservation Society Argue Legal Errors Invalidate Development Permit 

The Wreck Beach Preservation Society (WBPS) has retained A. Cameron Ward and Company to help them in their battle against the siting and heights of the  four 20-storey towers UBC is calling the Marine Residences.

A letter was sent today calling for an immediate meeting with the WBPS, our lawyers and UBC officials. The WBPS letter calls for a proper public consultation process, given the serious flaws and the half-hearted, rushed efforts by UBC at public notice and public consultation.  This greatly-flawed consultation has the effect of rendering the develoment permit invalid. 

UBC has declined to consider alternative locations for these towers on campus, despite the threat of erosion posed by situating a major housing development on the edge of the foreshore cliffs adjacent to Pacific Spirit Regional Park.  After pile driving on the tower site farthest-removed from the cliffs on June 21, 2004, sand movement at the slide site immediately below the project was noted by Wreck Beach users!  These cliffs above Wreck Beach fall into a special "environmental protection zone" within the Park.
  
The GVRD Board of Directors had to resort to passing a motion requesting UBC to demonstrate how it is protecting the cliffs and foreshore of the Park, in accordance with the Official Community Plan and other planning documents. However, despite this expression of concern from regional government, UBC has refused for months to release copies of environmental studies that it claims demonstrate that the foreshore cliffs will not be affected by the development which yesterday's slide has conclusively given lie to!  It has also not produced any plans for preserving eagle habitat adjacent to the development. 

UBC was reminded of its legal commitment to respect adjacent parkland under the OCP, the Park Management Plan and the Cliff Erosion Mitigation Plan.  Copies of the letter have also gone to GVRD, and to the Musqueam Nation. 

This latest round with UBC reflects the absolute commitment of the Wreck Beach community to mitigate the Marine Residence project in that location and at those heights.  We seek a negotiated resolution to an untenable proposal.

Additional information:
Lara Tessaro of A. Cameron Ward and Associates: 604-688-6881
JudyWilliams, Chair, WBPS: 604-856-9598, Cell: 604-308-6336, judyw at wreckbeach.org
James Loewen, VP, Media Relations, WBPS: 604-689-9697, james3d at shaw.ca