After years of planning, consulting and debate, the development proposal for the Southlands is taking the next step.
On Monday night, Delta council gave the preliminary approval needed to send the contentious application to a public hearing in late October.
Century Group, which owns the Tsawwassen property, formally submitted an application almost two years ago that has slowly wound its way through a lengthy and complex process.
"Tonight was an important part of that process," Century Group president Sean Hodgins said after the meeting.
"I feel very glad," he said. "It's taken a long time to get to this point."
More than 200 people packed municipal hall Monday for the pivotal decision. With the council chambers at capacity, chairs were set up in the lobby so the overflow crowd could watch the proceedings on TV.
Municipal staff gave council three options: deny the proposal, refer it back to staff again for more information, or give it preliminary approval and send it to a public hearing.
There was a loud round of applause from supporters of the project, many of whom were wearing green "Support Southlands" T-shirts, when civic politicians voted unanimously to move it to the next step.
While councillors had some questions about different aspects of the proposal, there was little debate over whether to send it to a hearing.
"This goes back an awful long time," said Coun. Bruce McDonald, who called the current application a unique proposal. "I'm certainly in favour of moving forward to a public hearing process."
Hodgins said he and his team will spend the next few months talking about the project and the benefits he sees it having for the community.
"From the outset we challenged ourselves to imagine, to imagine how the Southlands could deliver the greatest range of environmental, social and public benefits to all those who have interests in these lands," said architect Patrick Cotter in a presentation to council before Monday's vote.
He went on to outline the many features of the plan: market square, public open spaces, small and large scale farming on land deeded to Delta, and several phases of residential development.
Hodgins said that, if approved, he estimates the Southlands build-out will take place over a 15-year period with the first 450 units built over the first six to seven years and the remaining 500 units built in two phases over another six to seven years.
The property has a history of contentious development proposals, which included a record-breaking public hearing in 1989, and has long been a divisive
issue in the community. The current application is no different and is facing some ardent opposition.
Dana Maslovat, one of the organizers of Southlands the Facts, said he was disappointed, but not surprised, by council's decision.
He said the municipality has spent a great deal of money on the public consultation process over the last few years and has heard from a large percentage of residents who are opposed to the proposal in its current form.
"Given the overwhelming opposition to this development, including 70 per cent of almost 2,000 pieces of correspondence received to date, I can't imagine what rationale would allow council to proceed with a public hearing."
According to a Delta staff report, as of last month the municipality had received a total of 1,924 pieces of correspondence on the Southlands application. Of that, 518 (27 per cent) expressed support, 1,291 (67 per cent) expressed opposition and 115 (6 per cent) made general comments.
In the last several months, there has been an increase in the number of residents writing in support of the proposal. Between Nov. 17 and June 14, Delta received 526 pieces of correspondence with 270 (51 per cent) in favour, 215 (41 per cent) opposed and 41 (eight per cent) general comments.
Southlands proposal at a glance
The Southlands is made up of seven properties with a combined area of 217 hectares (537 acres). The development proposal from Century Group includes: Â 950 residential units in various forms, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments; Â More than 7,400 square metres (80,000 square feet) of commercial space; Â The transfer of 172 hectares (425 acres), 80 per cent of the land, to Delta to be used for agriculture (large-and small-scale farming), natural habitat and public open space, including a Market Square and greenways; Â A $9-million amenity contribution to be put in special reserve to improve drainage and irrigation.
