Board of School Trustees

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 34 (Abbotsford)
2790 Tims Street, Clearbrook, B.C. V2T 4M7

Telephone (604)859-4891 "Fax" (604) 852-8587

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Gerda H. Fandrich, Chair
B. Lynne Harris, Vice-Chair

RECEIVED

JUL 1 2 1993

June 24, 1993 District of Matsqui

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The Honourable Anita Hagen

Minister of Education and Minister Responsible
for Multiculturalism and Human Rights
Parliament Buildings

Victoria, B.C.

V8V 1X4

Dear Mrs. Hagen:

Further to your letter of April 16, 1993, to the Board Chairpersons of all school districts, a joint committee of the
District of Matsqui and School District No. 34 (Abbotsford) has had an opportunity to discuss some of the issues
related to planning, land acquisition and site development charges for schools. The purpose of this letter is to
convey the recommendations of the joint commitise which are aimed at ensuring co-ordination and a fair distribution
of costs for the development of school sites. Our recommendations are as follows:

(a) School sites, like any development site, require off-site services including roadworks, pedestrian crosswalks,
waffic lights, sewer, water, power, Cost of hydro lines, etc. The costs of such services, including

development cost charges, should be built into the funding granted by the Ministry of Education for the
development of school sites.

As part of the subdivision approval process, the Municipal Act permits municipalities to collect 5% land or
cash-in-lieu of land for park purposes. We would urge that an additional 5% dedication, in the form of land
or cash, be required for school sites. The collection of the 5% cash for schcols could be undertaken by the
municipality on behalf of the school board.

The Municipal Act should be amended to permit the collection of both a 5% dedication for parks and
schools when property is rezoned for higher density residential use. It is our expectation that Matsqui's core
area will be densified and a mechanism is required to ensure dedication for both parks and school purposes.