Delta council approved two developments last week with ties to local heritage sites.
Following a public hearing last Tuesday night, civic politicians approved a 15-unit townhouse development on the south side of the Ladner United Church property.
Currently, there are three homes, which are owned by the church, on the parcel. The homes are slated for demolition to make way for the townhouses.
Some residents voiced concerns over one of the homes, the former Umiker residence, the yellow English cottage-style house with the mock thatch roof at the corner of Garry Street and 47A Avenue. It is not on the heritage registry but has some historical significance for the community, Bev Yaworski told council at the public hearing.
Built in 1940, it was home to Walter Umiker and his family. Umiker owned a garage and gas station, Ferry Service Garage, at the corner of 48th Avenue and Delta Street, which
was later renamed Bishop Motors before being torn down in 1964 and replaced by an apartment and commercial building.
Umiker was an active member of the Delta Board of Trade and an early member of the Ladner Businessmen's Association, Yaworski said in an email to the Optimist.
Given the concerns, the firm working on the project, Focus Architecture Incorporated, is taking steps to attempt to preserve the house.
Colin Hogan said the company is planning on doing a historical title search, seeking historical drawings and photos and offering the building for sale to anyone who would like to move it.
"Just out of respect for the building that's there, we're prepared to take those measures to document it."
Also on the agenda Tuesday night was a second proposal for a three-townhouse development adjacent to the former Ladner Baptist Church building at 47A Avenue and Delta Street.
Council denied the original proposal late last year after a number of residents came forward with concerns about the form, character and height. Many said they felt the modern design was not in keeping with the look of the rest of the neighbourhood.
Residents also had concerns about the size of the development, saying it was too big and would be too close to the street.
While the new proposal has a more heritage-themed look, some residents are still concerned about the size.
The development proposals are not the only thing these two sites have in common. Ladner United Church is currently undergoing a major renovation and restoration, while the former Baptist church was recently restored and relocated on the site.
Both proposals were approved unanimously in a meeting following the public hearing.
"There's something to be said for saving heritage buildings and there are not too many people that want to do that any more or have the money or ambition to do that," said Coun. Ian Paton.
