Delta is looking to bring in local voices to comment on design projects within the city.
The idea of an advisory design panel is not new to Delta, as the previous panel was dissolved on Jan. 28, 2019. Since that time, according to the report discussed by council at its Oct. 5th meeting, there has been renewed interest in establishing a new, refreshed version.
In the staff report, the panel was described as having the aim of contributing expertise from a range of disciplines to enhance the quality of design for certain development projects in Delta.
Coun. Lois Jackson was the first to comment on the composition of experts that would be included in the new panel, saying she would like to see some non-professionals and people from the community.
“I think that was one of the flaws with our past design panel,” Jackson said. “We had wonderful people there but they weren't from here.”
Jackson also mentioned White Rock council’s design panel, which includes three members of the community and the City of Langley’s design panel, which includes members from the community and members of local law enforcement.
Jackson suggested these ideas be taken into consideration for the new design panel as well as including a school board representative.
Mayor George Harvie mentioned that city manager Sean McGill is looking to create a disability committee for the city and that a member from that committee should also sit on the design team.
Ultimately the report was sent back to city staff for revision for focus on local inclusion and will be brought back for further discussion in the coming weeks.
