Delta might slap a limit on the frequency of movie and TV filming in Ladner Village and the North 40 Park Reserve.
A staff recommendation that was discussed at Delta council’s weekly meeting Monday calls for a 21-day hold back between filming in those areas, effectively banning movie production for three-week periods. The recommendations also include not making the municipal parking lot at 48th Avenue and Bridge Street available for film crews and that communication and safety improvements for filming be implemented.
A report by engineering director Steven Lan stated the 21-day freeze between productions is to reduce “excessive interruptions to businesses” while also reducing “excessive filming” at the park.
The report stated that in Ladner Village, eight productions were filmed in 2017 for a total of 27 days, which includes preparation, shooting and wrap-up days. In October alone, A Joyous Christmas and Finding Santa were filmed in the village for a total of 14 days.
While filming was mostly successful, one business owner sent a formal complaint expressing frustration due to excessive interruptions, including loss of business due to parking interruptions, according to the report.
Lan told council a number of complaints were made last year when the TV series Impastor was filmed in the village.
At the North 40, 14 productions filmed this year for a total of 63 days. While the majority of park users were unopposed, some complaints were received related to excessive filming as well as speeding vehicles.
Lan added the hold back of permits between productions will scale the total number of shoots to around 12 per year.
Council, however, appeared reluctant, discussing the benefit of filming activity in Delta. It was noted that in 2016, 1,330 B.C. film industry employees were Delta residents, 354 of them living in Ladner.
Seeing council’s reservations and wondering what the business community has to say, Lan suggested delaying further consideration of his recommendations until there’s more consultation, a move to which council members agreed.
During Monday’s discussion, the revenue Delta receives from film productions was also discussed with finance director Karl Preuss noting it’s not a significant sum at just $500 per day.
Ian Paton, whose East Ladner farm had actor Jason Alexander filming a new TV series this summer, said he was shocked Delta seems to be leaving “a lot of money on the table” by only charging that amount to use municipal streets. Paton noted private property owners, including farmers, can make upwards of $3,500 a day.
Lan said the Delta fee had been only $100 per day but was bumped up to the current fee in 2015 after a review of what other cities at the time were charging. He agreed to take another look what’s now being charged elsewhere.
Throughout Delta in 2017, there were 12 commercial shoots, 75 TV series and 15 feature films, resulting in 342 days of filming. An estimated 50 film applications were denied.
