Courtenay council approved a variance permit Tuesday to allow construction of an addition at the Common Ground Café at Harmston and Fifth.
Council has also allowed McDonald's to reconfigure its drive-thru at Cliffe Avenue. A second drive-thru lane is being added and new menu boards are being installed.
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Council gave third reading to tax exemption bylaws for various non-profits and churches. The estimated value of municipal portions of new and grandfathered exemptions for 2014 totals $344,338.
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Council approved a resolution from Starr Winchester to lobby the Vancouver Island Health Authority and Province to support ongoing annual funding for the Comox Valley Hospice Society.
Council will also request a meeting with Premier Christy Clark, Health Minister Terry Lake and Valley MLA Don McRae at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention next month in Vancouver.
"This is vitally important," Winchester said.
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Janice Cashin, board chair of the Adult Learning Centre, appealed to council to volunteer time Sept. 25 on Raise A Reader Day. Teams of two will fan out to designated sites in Courtenay, Comox and Cumberland to exchange newspapers for cash donations.
Nationwide, the project is in its 18th year but the campaign is new to the Comox Valley. The main purpose is to raise funds for literacy. Last year, Cashin said Port Alberni raised $40,000.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com