It was great news for supporters of the Southlands development plan Friday as the Metro Vancouver board of directors voted in favour of the proposal.
Despite a Metro staff report recommending rejection, directors approved amending the Regional Growth Strategy by a 93-31 weighted vote. The application needed 86 votes for a two-thirds majority.
In addition to only a few voting in negative, including Richmond's Harold Steves, which was expected, the most notable opposition came from Vancouver. However, the plan got enough support, including crucial votes from Burnaby and Surrey, to receive conditional approval.
"This brings to a conclusion, by and large, an issue that has been before boards and councils for 35 years," Delta Mayor Lois Jackson told the Optimist following the vote at the Metro headquarters in Burnaby. "I must congratulate the Hodgins family for a well thought out proposal that has been supported by, in my opinion, the majority."
At the packed meeting, Jackson started the discussion by criticizing the staff recommendation, noting the proposal put forward by the Century Group is unlike anything before, one that puts 114 hectares (286 acres) of farmland in public hands as well as improves the agricultural viability of the soil.
She explained how the proposal has gone thorough an extensive consultation process, a comment echoed by several of the directors, who also noted Delta farmers were in support.
Noting the plan would provide tremendous benefit for the region, Jackson, Delta's representative on the board, also questioned if the Southlands application didn't meet Regional Growth Strategy amendment requirements, then what application ever would, and whether it would be worth any municipality going through the process.
It was the same comment made by Century Group president Sean Hodgins, who told the Optimist Metro staff seemed to simply recommend denial because it was a change to a designation.
Directors indicating support also noted the land currently isn't in the Agricultural Land Reserve and that extensive improvements were required. Several also complimented the process Delta has gone through.
Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan said it was a difficult decision in that he was concerned about setting a precedent, but the application had merit and deserved support.
White Rock's Wayne Baldwin agreed, saying it's an opportunity to put non-productive, non-ALR land back into the ALR as good farmland.
Baldwin also said Delta has already proved it's a municipality that takes growth cautiously and is intent on preserving farmland.
Coquitlam's Mae Reid said the plan "is almost like going back to the future" in that many people want to get back into farming, and one way is through community-based agriculture.
The 214-hectare (537-acre) Tsawwassen property has had a lengthy history of controversy with the most recent chapter beginning in 2006 when Hodgins began consultations through Smart Growth B.C.
His company is proposing to build 950 housing units on 20 per cent of the Southlands in an area that reportedly has the poorest soil quality. The remaining 80 per cent would be given to Delta, much of it for farming.
During the board discussion Steves reiterated that the proposal results in an actual net loss of farmland. He also argued the land was intentionally left fallow and unmanaged, something that will now be followed by other speculators.
Vancouver's Raymond Louie admitted the proposal is innovative and has its positives, but asked the directors to "take off their local hats" and view the application through a regional context, adding it's a long-term decision that would have a negative impact on the region.
Following the vote, supporters congratulated Hodgins.
Saying he was pleased the board had the vision to examine his application and not just that it was a Regional Growth Strategy amendment, he wondered why Vancouver was intent to vote no.
The next step for Delta council is to receive a staff report recommending an application be made to have the agricultural lands placed back into the ALR. The municipality notes the report will also outline the process to commence work with local farmers on the development of a detailed plan to undertake enhancements.
