The public will get a chance to see first-hand a form of housing the Century Group is proposing to build at the Southlands property.

Located at the Tsawwassen Town Centre shopping mall, a recently completed cottage-style house, designed by Cotter Architects, will be open for tours starting this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Smallworks Studios, a Vancouver-based company specializing in smaller homes, built the structure. The company has been active in recent years with the construction of laneway homes in Vancouver.

One of several house designs proposed for the Southlands, the cottage structure on display at the mall is approximately 1,200 square-feet. It would be the largest house available in terms of square footage at the development.

The house on display has a master bedroom and bathroom on the main floor, while a second bathroom is on the second level. Also on the second floor is loft space that can be used for a second bedroom, office or studio.

The downstairs has a large common area with a high vaulted ceiling.

The housing type is mainly geared toward young families, seniors looking to downsize and homeowners whose children have grown up and moved away, explained David Laulainen, spokesperson for the Century Group.

He noted there's been a lot of interest from locals, especially young adults, in having this form of housing that's not available in Delta.

"We're getting a lot of interest from younger people, between 25-to-35-years-old, who grew up in Tsawwassen and want to stay here but they literally have no place to go. They can't afford any of these Beach Grove or Boundary Bay houses, and they don't necessarily want to live in an apartment," he said.

Having one outdoor parking stall, the house would occupy a small lot, but would surround an outdoor common courtyard area with other homes. A variety of functions are possible for the common areas including gardens featuring plants native to the community.

"The lot sizes will be smaller but the living spaces will be bigger," Laulainen said

Earlier this year, Century Group submitted a rezoning application for the first phase of a much larger development planned for the 500-plus acre Southlands property. The first phase would see 14 hectares (35 acres) developed with 450 residential units in various forms and densities, including cottage-style and other smaller single-family houses. At 345, condos would make up the majority of the first phase. The next phase of development would see mostly single-family houses built.

Once fully developed, the Southlands would have 950 new homes. The development also involves the transfer of 80 percent of the property to Delta, working out to approximately 173.7 hectares (429 acres).

Up to two-thirds of that donated land would be used for farming, while housing would be built on the remaining 20 per cent of the Southlands.

According to the Century Group, the centerpiece for the development concept is a village centre linked with walking and cycling paths that connect to active small-scale farms, a vibrant village centre and the larger community. The company notes it's the first project of its kind in Canada.

The proposal requires rezoning as well as approval by Metro Vancouver.

The Century Group held a couple of public information meetings several weeks ago,

Delta was planning to host an information meeting on the application on Sept. 6.

However, Mayor Lois Jackson said council this week agreed not to have the meeting on that date because they are still waiting for the applicant to provide more information and answer a series of questions. A new date hasn't been set for the meeting.

For more information, check the Southlands section of the municipality's website at www.corp.delta.bc.ca.