Here’s an item you probably haven’t seen.
From Metro Vancouver Update:
Regional Parks land acquisition funds growth
Metro Vancouver has doubled the annual tax requisition for its regional park land acquisition program to protect more natural areas across the region.
The move comes amid ballooning regional real estate prices and a highly competitive property market that have challenged Metro Vancouver’s ability to acquire and protect important natural areas in recent years.
The volatile real estate market, for instance, was evident in a recent purchase of park land at Kanaka Creek in Maple Ridge. Between 2016 and 2017, the assessed value of this three-hectare property increased by 44 percent.
The increase to the park acquisition fund, approved by the Metro Vancouver Board last fall, will address the need to continue to expand the regional parks land base across the region. As a result of the Board’s decision, base funding has grown from $3.77 million to $7.54 million, providing Metro Vancouver with the opportunity to expand its natural land base for the region’s current and future generations.
It is the most popular thing Metro Vancouver – the federation of municipalities – does: buying land for regional parks. The ones we have are jewels, getting only brighter and more valuable as the region expands.
It says something about who we are: (a) Politicians just doubled a tax requisition without fear. (b) We paid no attention.
It’s just something we expect.
