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Council supports busking bylaw

Mission councillor wants cultural commission to oversee bylaw on district's behalf

A busking bylaw could help promote non-profit organizations and bring live entertainment to Mission streets.

District staff are working on the proposal after Councillor Jenny Stevens introduced it at Monday’s council meeting.

Stevens hopes to create a “win-win situation,” giving non-profit organizations a chance to promote their causes and raise funds while making certain areas of the district more enjoyable.

Stevens wants to empower the Cultural Commission to oversee the bylaw on the district’s behalf, approving acts and issuing permits for a $5 fee.

“I’m hoping this can be done with minimal fuss and red tape.”

By marrying street performances with the non-profit sector, it will weed out people who would abuse the bylaw, said Coun. Dave Hensman.

The idea received unanimous support from council.

 

Third reading deferred

Mission council deferred third reading for a 20-lot subdivision near the corner of Cedar Street and Lissimore Avenue at its Sept. 10 meeting.

Neighbours told council at a public hearing their concerns about safety and the layout for the new lots.

Sean Thiessen said he was against the proposed walkway from Lissimore to Cedar because it would encourage criminal activity. He explained the nearby corner store had been robbed numerous times and police found evidence of the theft along a small trail that currently exists.

Another speaker didn’t like that the proposed lots were more narrow than the existing ones and questioned the shared driveway for two properties. Traffic and parking is already a problem, she said.

District staff will address the concerns in a report and bring it back to council at a later date.