A major housing proposal by the Tsawwassen First Nation could be just the tip of the iceberg in a huge residential transformation of the reserve.

The TFN has been focusing on growing its industrial base since signing a treaty, but housing is another significant component looming on the horizon that could radically change the face of South Delta.

The first move in that regard surfaced this month when a pair of band families began advertising 123 continuous acres that are said to have the development potential of upwards of 1,100 single-family lots. Colliers International recently issued a request for proposals from interested developers to buy the land, designated as an enterprise zone within the TFN's land use plan, on a 99-year pre-paid lease.

In an interview last week, Chief Kim Baird said the project is not an initiative of the band's council, but the individual members who own the land.

According to Colliers International, potential housing within the TFN's enterprise zone is a whopping 4,844 single-family homes, 9,688 townhouses or 11,840 condos.

In addition, even more homes could become a reality in several areas designated within the TFN's land use plan as future multi-family and single family development. Much of that land is controlled by the band.

Currently, there are approximately 500 non-native residents living on the reserve at Tsatsu Shores, Stahaken and on lots along Tsawwassen Beach.

The TFN land use plan states the housing development taking place at the neighbouring Tsawwassen Golf and Country Club "provides and excellent opportunity for TFN to develop a market housing subdivision consisting of multi-family housing adjacent to the golf course." The plan also notes there are opportunities to develop additional multi-family units adjacent to Tsatsu Shores and along the base of the bluff as well as south of Highway 17.

The TFN says its land use plan supports the development of "a complete community" by creating diverse neighbourhoods with a range of housing types.

As far as the housing development that's now planned within the enterprise zone, Howie Charter, managing director of Colliers International, told the Optimist the long-term lease provides a sense of certainty.

"We're planning on using the very same contractual models that are being used at Simon Fraser and at UBC, because there's a very high degree of market acceptance for those models," he said.