March 22, 2023 edition — FVC celebrates two years, plus a film studio gets voted down

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 | Today: ☀️ High 17C, 🌧 Low 4C | 7-day forecast

Good morning, there!

Two years ago today, the first Current newsletter was published. And I know, celebrating the second anniversary of anything is kind of anti-climactic. At the same time, reflection can be both fun and useful. A couple weeks ago, a friend remarked that we were no longer sending out newsletters with messed-up subject lines. Of course, I screwed up publishing a story yesterday. So there's always room for improvement. But unlike that first month, I have colleagues to minimize the frequency and scale of screw-ups. So happy birthday to us and here’s to everyone’s co-workers.

Meanwhile, we still need more advertising partners to continue growing and producing newsletters for years to come. If you want to support local journalism while also connecting with our readers, please get in touch. You can fill in this form, or just email us here. And if you know someone who could benefit, feel free to send this along! Thanks!

Need to know

🗳 Instead of giving final approval to the Official Community Plan Harrison council voted it down to allow for more public input [Agassiz Harrison Observer]

🍓 A Langley berry farmer says the cold weather likely delayed their harvest [CityNews]

👮🏻‍♂️ A teen who was pulled over by Abbotsford police allegedly spat in an officer’s face [CTV]

🛍 London Drugs at Abbotsford’s Highstreet Shopping Centre will close in June [Abbotsford News]

🏳️‍🌈 The Pride Flag won’t be flown at Mission city hall after council voted to not change its flag policy [Mission Record]

🚔 Detectives investigating the 2008 disappearance of a man in Langley shared photos of person with a ‘puffy jacket’ [IHIT]

🚧 Poorly patched potholes in Langley City were painted with graffiti; the city says they will be redone [Langley Advance Times]

🚐 A Chilliwack man who relies on Fraser Valley transit says the strike could jeopardize his job in Vancouver [Chilliwack Progress]

The Agenda

New limits could cap heights of Cultus Lake monster homes

Officials are considering capping the height and size of new houses in response to complaints about “monster homes.”

The sky-high land values for property at Cultus has led owners and homebuilders to focus on building the largest allowable houses on their pricey lots. That’s generated complaints, both about the the changing community character and the way new homes could infringe upon the views at older residences.

In response, the Fraser Valley Regional District is overhauling the zoning bylaw for the Cultus Lake areas, and focusing on creating new rules for building height and parking.

The FVRD held a public information meeting in November attended by around 50 residents. Another meeting will be held in April.

Langley Township residents have until Monday to provide feedback on the proposed budget and tax increase

The Langley Township council is gathering feedback from residents as it deliberates its 2023 budget and five-year financial plan.

Council is considering a 4.92% property tax increase. That amounts to roughly $113 annually (though that depends on how a home's assessment changed compared to other residents’). Residents have until 4:30pm, on March 27 to share their input. Complete details on the budget and how to submit feedback can be found online here. 

SPONSORED POST

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSITY OF THE FRASER VALLEY

Learn about the fascinating research happening at UFV

Join UFV for Student Research Day on Tuesday, Apr. 4 at the University of the Fraser Valley’s Abbotsford campus. This year’s student research projects cover various topics, from sustainability to health and everything in between.

Be a part of this exciting event and see the impact UFV students are making in the world. Everyone is welcome!

NEWS

A show stopper: Locals sink plans for Lake Errock film studio

There will be no film production studio built in tiny old Lake Errock after locals gave the project two (dozen) thumbs down.

A Coquitlam-based company has dropped its plans to build a film studio, with the owner citing “mistrust, anger and miscommunication.”

Tyler writes about the end to a controversial proposal for a “director’s retreat” and large film studio in one of the valley’s sleepiest communities.

📸 CURRENT CAM

Each week we showcase a different photo from across the valley and invite readers to share their best guesses about where it was taken.

Any guesses as to where this week’s Current Cam was taken? Fill out this form with your best guess—or with a picture we can use in a future edition.

Around town

THIS WEEK

🍄 The Aldergrove Regional Park will be transformed into an Enchanted Forest on Thursday. Visit the park dressed as a woodland creature. Bring your own marshmallows to roast on the campfire. Details online. 

🏎 The Sports Car Club of BC is offering a two-day training course beginning Saturday at Mission Raceway for those interested in earning their race license. Register online. 

🪗 Say “bonjour” to Festival du Bois, this weekend in Coquitlam’s Mackin Park. Come for great music and dance, shows for kids, great food, and more!*

COMING UP

🎶 Punjabi musician Gurnam Bhullar is performing at the Abbotsford Centre on April 1. Tickets online. 

Have an event to tell us about? Fill out this form to have it highlighted in Around Town.

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