Thurs. Sept. 12, 2024 edition: Council deems City Hall renovation too expensive

Good morning, Burnaby!

We’re taking you right into the heart of this week’s council meeting with discussions revolving around city and short-term rental bylaws and a unanimous decision not to renovate the existing City Hall premises—instead, to build a new City Hall near Deer Lake. In other news, Burnaby has started engagement on a land-use framework for 2050 and Deer Lake Gallery has closed.

👀 In today's edition:

• Renovations to City Hall overturned

• Burnaby starts engagement on land-use framework for 2050

• Deer Lake Gallery is closed until further notice

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NEWS

Renovating the existing City Hall too expensive, city looks for other options

During a council meeting on Sept. 9, Mayor Mike Hurley announced that council decided not to renovate the existing City Hall premises and instead to build a new City Hall in the Deer Lake area. The resolution was approved during a closed council meeting.

“Based on the policy advice and recommendations provided to Council regarding the new City Hall project to date, the option to renovate and retrofit the current City Hall building is not considered as an option due to cost, operational impacts, and the fact that the end product will be an aging building that is too small and does not meet inclusivity, accessibility or environmental sustainability standards,” the resolution said.

Other topics discussed during the meeting this week included the reading of a bylaw overseeing the sale of city-owned properties—5168, 5180, and 5192 Sidley St.—to a private developer. Burnaby moved ahead with the controversial land sale after the mayor used special authority to introduce a reconsideration vote without council approval.

Council also discussed a potential change to a short-term rentals bylaw that currently allows homeowners to rent out their primary residences.

Get all the information on the last council meeting here.

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Burnaby Bulletin

Sexual assault scam. Burnaby police say a man has been charged with sexual assault related to an alleged medicine scam last month. The victim told Mounties she was approached at Crystal Mall in Burnaby by a man who told her he was a “Taoist Master and Chinese medicine practitioner.” [CityNews]

Truth and Reconciliation. In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Burnaby will be hosting multiple events and activities for community members to engage in opportunities to learn about the history of Indigenous Peoples, including the tragic and painful history of residential schools, and to engage in the healing and reconciliation process. 

An upcoming merger. The Burnaby Board of Trade and the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce are investigating the possibility of a merger after the New West chamber experienced “difficulties” and hemorrhaged membership after the pandemic. [New West Record]

Making way. Burnaby council voted unanimously to expropriate a half-acre of land to make way for the Holdom overpass, claiming that the land is 'necessary' to build the overpass over the CN Rail corridor. Construction is set to begin later this year. [Burnaby Now]

New rental homes. Nearly 1,200 rental homes are coming soon for individuals, seniors and families with middle incomes in the Township of Langley and Burnaby, through new BC Builds projects. 

A potential disaster. The City of Burnaby is preparing for a series of unlikely but potentially disastrous accidents stemming from the Trans Mountain pipeline system. An animated video, released Sept. 5, depicts three hypothetical, fiery scenarios that could arise at the Burnaby Mountain tank farm and Westridge Marine Terminal. [Sooke News Mirror]

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NEWS

City starts engagement on land-use framework for 2050

Starting this week, the City of Burnaby is hosting several public engagement events for its land-use framework, part of its official community planning (OCP) process for 2050.

Burnaby residents can register to attend one of seven in-person open houses from Sept. 12-28 at various locations throughout Burnaby, as well as a virtual open house on Sept. 24 that residents can register for online.

The land-use framework is part of Burnaby’s OCP for the next 25 years and involves deciding how to allocate land to different functions and uses. Land uses outlined in the framework include commercial use, schools, recreational facilities, and apartment buildings of various heights. City staff drafted a map showing the different land uses in the proposed framework. 

Read more about the land-use framework here.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Deer Lake Gallery is closed until further notice

Burnaby Arts Council (BAC) announced on Aug. 23, 2024, the closure of Deer Lake Gallery (DLG) until further notice. The gallery closed its doors at the end of August after the conclusion of its last exhibition, MULCHMULCHMULCH.

BAC will hold its annual general meeting on Sept. 24 at 7pm at DLG, which will be open to the public. At the meeting, Burnaby residents can share suggestions and ideas on how to raise funds and promote the arts in Burnaby.

According to Maria Anna Parolin, co-chair of the BAC, the DLG’s closure is part of a wider trend where arts organizations are generally struggling in Canada. Parolin said the reasons are complex and multifold. Non-profit organizations, especially those concerned with the arts, are struggling to obtain funding for their programming.

The upcoming annual general meeting at DLG on Sept. 24 is an opportunity for community members to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas for the gallery’s future.

Read the full story.

Where to eat & drink

Coffizen Coffee Roasters. This elevated cafe in Burnaby takes special care in their pour-over coffees and cold foam iced americanos, emphasizing quality beverages that pair perfectly with baked goods like ham and cheese cruffins (croissant muffins), salted caramel scones and frozen cookie cream puffs. With tons of creative items to choose from, you’re in for a delicious time.

Chung Chun Rice Hot Dog. If you’ve never had a rice hot dog before, you’re in for the ultimate treat. More than gourmet pogos, Chung Chun Rice hot dogs come coated with crushed ramen noodles, tater tots and chicken nuggets, and get stuffed with a variety of different meats (beef, chicken, pork, veggie or a combination) and cheese, if you’re into a more indulgent, oozey bite.

Kozak Ukrainian Eatery. Owners Irina and Sergeii moved from Ukraine to BC in 2012, starting off by selling their baked goods at local farmers markets—sourdough breads, chocolate babka and hot dishes like borscht and pierogies quickly gained local attention. Today, Kozak Eatery has several locations across the mainland and is one of the most popular Eastern European establishments in New West and beyond.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Academic Advisor at Simon Fraser University

• Volunteer Program Coordinator at Engineers & Geoscientists BC

• Sales Representative at Lawson Products

• Biologist at Pharmaplanter Technologies Inc.

• Aquatic Leader at City of Burnaby

• Lead Trainer at Pacific Ropes

• Organics Analyst at Bureau Veritas

• Customer Engagement Manager at PetSmart

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• North Burnaby Community Fair. 3:30pm-6:30pm. Cameron Elementary School.

• New West Farmers Market. 3pm-7pm. Tipperary Park.

Friday

• Technology Virtual Job Fair. 11am-3pm. Online via Zoom.

• Live Music: Jason Lane Band. 8pm. Admiral Pub & Grill.

• Secret Balboa Social. 8pm. 65 E 6th Ave, New West.

Saturday

• Kaytranada. 5pm. Deer Lake Park.

• Argentine Tango Intro. 4pm. Lochdale Hall.

• Free Samba Class. 5pm. World Dance Co.

• Global Thermomix Day Celebration. 11am. 5457 Clinton St.

Sunday

• Tropical Terrarium Workshop. 10am. Gardenworks Burnaby.

• World Explorer Cruise & Travel Expo. 10am. Delta Hotel Burnaby.

• Paint Nite. 6pm. The Rec Room.

Monday

• Free Guided Meditation. 8pm. Online via Zoom.

• Entry-Level Virtual Job Fair. 11am. Online via Zoom. 

Tuesday

• Square Dance Lessons. 7pm. Alan Emmott Centre.

• Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting. 12:30pm. New Westminster Family Place.

Wednesday

• Full Moon Restorative Healing Meditation Soundbath. 7pm. Savasana Meditation.

• Wildfire Resilience & Climate Action. 8:30am-1:30pm. Simon Fraser University.

• Drag Game Show Night. 7pm. 759 Carnarvon St.

• Family Paint Party. 6:30pm. Taverna Greka.