A large number of recreational users of Deas Slough showed up at a public hearing Tuesday to voice their opposition to a proposal to build float homes on the waterway.
Delta council chambers at municipal hall were almost completely packed with residents, the overwhelming majority speaking against the rezoning plan by Kyan Management Corporation and Grove Crest Stables. The plan involves a subdivision in the 6300-block of River Road to construct 11 single-family homes on upland lots and 11 float homes on proposed water lots in the slough.
Located in proximity to Deas Island Regional Park, the float homes would be approximately 2,400-square-feet each.
According to a report by the applicant, the proposal scored well across all three "sustainability categories" of social, integration with natural environment processes, and green construction and building technology,
However, recreational users of the waterway, including the Delta Deas Rowing Club, have complained bitterly about the plan, saying allowing water lots would give new homeowners rights over a public waterway and block some activities from taking place.
At the hearing most expressed concerns about the safety of narrowing the area for rowing, kayaking and other activities, including regattas, that take place on the waterway.
"I'm concerned there won't be any rowing in Delta if the plan goes forward as they are. I love the idea of float homes, I'd love to have one myself, I just don't think this is the appropriate place," said Allison Taylor.
Jane McCall told council that collisions now avoidable would occur with the many different users taking part in various activities on the water.
"If we are pushed into the middle of the slough by this development, we would be much closer together and the potential for collision and serious injury would be significantly increased," she said.
Delta Deas Rowing Club vice-president Trudy MacDonald asked if the size of the water lots could be reduced in order to limit the intrusion into the waterway, as well as what council will do to guarantee current activities and schedules would be maintained.
Cameron White echoed the viewpoint of several at the hearing that he was not opposed to the upland homes and understands the property owner has rights, but those rights shouldn't extend into a popular public waterway.
"If you allow these float homes they will completely change the dynamic of the slough, " he said.
A few nearby residents from the RiverHouse condos also spoke in opposition, saying the slough should be maintained as a recreational area to encourage people to be active.
Only a few spoke in favour of the proposal at the start of the meeting, including former mayor Doug Husband, who gave his personal endorsement to landowner Kenny Kyan. Husband noted Kyan wants to work with the recreational users.
Mike Owen and Leslie Abramson said the proposal is a quality project that can co-exist with other uses on the water.
Noting they looked at floating home design concepts in the Netherlands as an inspiration for the proposed dwellings, developer Howard Smid also said the float homes here would not have a negative impact on recreational uses on the slough.
A report to council notes there are currently no float homes in Deas Slough and they are generally not permitted in areas outside established float home communities on the Fraser River.
Port Metro Vancouver's initial comment on the application was that the port recognizes the slough is heavily used recreationally, including activities such as rowing, boating and paddle sports. As such, any proposed use of the water in the area would be subject to a navigational review.
The port currently does not have a water lot lease for the slough area, and its records indicate it never has. Should council decide to give the application conditional approval, the applicant could then apply to the port to establish leases prior to council considering final approval.
Council asked staff on Tuesday to find out the width of the slough during high and low tides.
