Pubdate: Thu, 04 Oct 2001
Source: Richmond Review, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Richmond Public Library
Contact:  http://www.richmondreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/704
Author: Chris Bryan, Staff Reporter

CANDIDATES ZERO IN ON GROUP HOMES

Location is everything when it comes to the group homes debate, says 
council candidate Hanson Lau.

Residents who protested outside the alcohol and drug recovery home called 
Turning Point in 1999 were not simply a vocal minority, contends Lau, who 
has been at the centre of the controversy. He thinks the group home would 
have sparked anger wherever it was located.

"If they say the majority of residents don't mind, why don't they just do 
it then. . . in Terra Nova?" Lau said.

Although Turning Point was located in another area of Richmond for six 
years prior to its 1999 move, and had only one complaint during that time, 
the Richmond Canadian Voters candidate is so sure of his conviction, he's 
willing to stake his political future on it.

"If there was no reaction (in Terra Nova) whatsoever, I would withdraw my 
candidacy from council," he added.

According to provincial regulations, group homes with up to six people may 
locate in any residential area they choose. Facilities with 11 or more must 
apply for special zoning. The city can exercise some control over the 
location of homes with seven to 10 persons, if it chooses, through the 
zoning process. If it chooses, the city has the power to turn down a 
license application.

The group home task force is expected to make recommendations to council at 
the end of this month about what changes, if any, should be made to the bylaw.

Lau is pushing for a change to the zoning bylaw so that new group homes 
with seven to 10 people would go through a public hearing process, offering 
the public a chance to have their say.

Lau said he has no problem with most group homes, but recovering addicts he 
finds objectionable neighbours.

Council candidate Ken Lam opposes a bylaw change, saying it could ghettoize 
people who live in group homes.

"I don't see the necessity of people who require help being put in a 
special area," Lam said.

Group homes have been a part of the community for many years and haven't 
caused a problem so far, he added.

Lam believes the $110,000 task force has been a waste of money, and seems 
only to be geared at educating people about what group homes are. Lam said 
people should learn about group homes on their own, rather than listening 
to people who might lead them astray.

"I studied up. If people would (only) study the issue instead of allowing 
someone to make it so big," he said.

Sharon Birch thinks the task force is a useful exercise and provides a good 
opportunity to revisit the regulations. But any changes should reflect a 
tolerant approach.

"I think you have to look at it very carefully," the council candidate said.

Birch said she has a recovery home in her own neighbourhood, and didn't 
know until three years ago.

"You have to realize drug and alcohol abuse is a disease. We owe it to our 
neighbours to help them."

Birch said she opposes any bylaw that would prevent group homes from moving 
where they chose.

"We just have to have saner heads and not panic before it's necessary," she 
said.

The Richmond Review will be surveying candidates on a variety of topics 
leading up to Oct. 13's byelection. Because of the sheer number of 
candidates running, not all candidates will appear in each survey, though 
every candidate will be featured at one point.
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MAP posted-by: Beth