Dear Editor:
I was stunned to read in the Nov. 9 North Shore News the report on the public hearing on the Shell gas station at 13th Street and Marine Drive in West Vancouver. Coun. Michael Lewis said "I think they've missed the boat. I'm very disappointed with what I see" yet went on to vote in favour of the project.
To quote the article, "Mayor Elect Michael Smith . . . went further, arguing people have no right to tell a private business what to with their land. 'For us to reflect we might like to see something else on their land is presumptuous.'"
The reason I am stunned is because it is the responsibility of the municipality to thoughtfully prepare an official plan which in turn requires public hearings to be held on zoning changes. Public hearings give all of us the opportunity to express views on how our community is shaped. Mayor-elect Smith implies these processes are redundant. Mayor-elect Smith does not seem to understand his role, perhaps he is the presumptive one.
Yes indeed, interesting times ahead.
Gary Hiscox
West Vancouver
