THE PRINCE GEORGE REE PREfrg THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2003 SPORTS Claude Skerry ends a long career in hockey. Page 81 ENTERTAINMENT Angela Alba delivers an evocative performance. Page Bll Casino developer makes deal for more land rezone parcel C. It will remain zoned only for park land and Major said he would likely put an outdoor interpretive centre and some parking on the site. The 100-foot treed buffer between the development, as well as the 25-foot wide security berm would surround the entire property. In total, the buffer will comprise 22 per cent of the land. “On a strictly personal level, I’m supportive of it,” said Duval. “From a pragmatic perspective, something is going to go in there eventually and this may be the best option.” The Van Bien Community Association held a meeting after press deadline Tuesday. Duval said he hoped residents would be able to hold a vote on whether to support Major’s proposals, or if they continue to have concerns. City council postponed voting on the rezoning of the land until city staff returns a report on a number of regulatory issues. Because the province has removed a number of gaming restrictions, Major could potentially put more than 300 slot machines in, said Councillor Dan Rogers. There is also the possibility of video lottery terminals, bingo or other types of gaming, he said. Staff will report by March 31 on if and how the city can include size restrictions and other regulations that may differ from provincial rules governing casinos into the new zoning designation. Council will decide at that time if it wants to further restrict the new casino zoning, and will give the new bylaw first and second readings. A public hearing would then be held, likely on April 14, but only after a traffic impact study, including a parking assessment, is completed. Major in his letter to Van Bien residents provided a potential construction timeline. It shows preliminary site work being completed by this fall, with August 2004 set as a project comple tion date. War just another obstacle to softwood talks Canada’s refusal to join an American-led war against Iraq without the support of the U.N. should not significantly hamper Canada’s position in softwood lumber talks, agree a negotiator and an industry analyst. But it’s not likely any significant ground will be covered in the ongoing trade dispute while a war is on. “It will be a distraction that won’t be helpful, but we’ll just have to work around it,” said John Allan, president of the B.C. Lumber Trade Council. Prime Minister Jean Chretien said in the House of Commons Monday, “If military action proceeds without a new resolution of the Security Council, Canada will not participate.” Allan doesn’t think U.S. negotiators will retaliate against Canada for its stance. In fact, he said he would be surprised if Canada’s position even registers with them. Negotiations, which have been stalled for a couple of weeks now, will likely remain a low priority in the States as they prepare for war, agreed Laurie Cater of Madison’s Canadian Lumber Reporter. “Bush has so much on his mind that softwood isn’t going to get any attention anyway. That said, our position isn’t doing us any good.” It’s just the latest obstacle in talks, said Cater, who admitted he is not optimistic about a negotiated solution to the dispute. Canadian lumber has been subject to an average 27 per cent in duties and tariffs on wood shipped to the U.S. since May 2001. It has filed a number of complaints with international trade bodies, including the World Trade Organization. It has been suggested that the last major stumbling block to a resolution was a disagreement over a proposed border tax rate. Cater said there appears to be much more pushing the two sides apart than mere quibbling over numbers. “In addition to that, Quebec has been quite hard line on the appurte- nance aspect.” Appurtenance is the requirement that logs must be processed at a local mill. The B.C. government is eliminating that rule. Quebec has so far refused, and it appears the Canadian negotiating team is siding with the east, said Cater. He also said hopes by those such as Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley that popular opinion in the U.S. is shifting in Canada’s favour are overly enthusiastic. He suggested the average consumer is beginning to see the costs of the dispute on the bottom line when they build a house. And they said the American consumer is the key to lobbying for changes in Washington. “Frankly, I don’t think wood and the cost of wood is a big issue,” said Cater. He also said any lobby group made up of housing consumers and the construction industry in the U.S. is "a mile wide and an inch deep.” “It’s not an effective lobby compared to the U.S. lumber coalition.” By CAM MCALPINE Free Press staff writer Casino Developer John Major has reached a deal to purchase the remaining three acres of land at the corner of Highways 16 and 97. He did so in order to calm fears in the Van Bien neighbourhood of a possible strip mall going in next to his casino and hotel development at the junction. “This additional land purchased by the developer should remove the concerns of residents that the additional areas could be purchased by another party and rezoned to accommodate strip development,” Major said in a letter to Van Bien residents. “That’s a very big gesture on his part,” said Richard Duval, whose home backs onto the proposed casino development. “It probably effectively removes one of the major hurdles which was as yet unresolved.” Major has met with residents a number of times in order to work out a compromise that would allow his development to go ahead without disrupting the neighbouring communities. In his letter he addressed each of the concerns raised by the community at a meeting three weeks ago. Perhaps the most startling concession was the extra land purchase. Major’s original plan was to buy a 13.02-acre site (referred to as ‘parcel B’) behind the tourist office at the junction of the two highways, subject to his ability to get it rezoned to allow a casino. City council Monday approved in principle the application, but held off on first two readings of the bylaw to enact the rezoning - a newly-created zoning designation specific to the site. Meantime, Major will also buy the 3.07-acre piece of land (referred to as ‘parcel C’) between parcel B and Upland St., subject to the rezoning of parcel B. He said he will not Dance/Festival Spectrum Dance Studio of Prince Rupert won the trophy in the large group variety 12 and under on Saturday night when they performed “Which Way Out.” kris™ b*iuje/free press