Residents got a chance this week to have their say on the much talked about rezoning proposal for the final phase of Marina Garden Estates.
An overflow crowd of supporters and opponents packed a public hearing Tuesday at municipal hall to offer their views on the Ladner housing project.
Most of those early on the speakers list, including many younger people in their 20s and 30s, spoke in favour of the application, but by the end of the evening Delta council also heard from several opponents.
The list of speakers was only halfway completed by the end of the evening, prompting the hearing to go into a second night Wednesday. By the end of that second session, it was clear the application remains a divisive one for the community.
The majority of speakers on Tuesday spoke in favour, but that was clearly the opposite the following night.
Captain's Cove Marina and Polygon Homes want to construct 674 housing units on the remaining undeveloped parcel, a proposal that calls for townhouses as well as a 94-unit, four-storey condo building. The originally approved zoning allows for stacked townhomes as well as waterlot homes and a hotel.
Speaking in favour at Tuesday's
hearing, Shirley Jaye accused the Marina Gardens homeowners association of resorting to fear mongering, making those living in the subdivision who support the project too intimated to speak.
It was an accusation echoed by ML Burke, a resident of the South Point neighbourhood of Marina Gardens, who called the opponents relentless. Burke noted there are many positives the project would bring to Ladner.
"The good news is our lives will be changing, I believe for the better, and it will benefit the community overall. Townhomes and condos will help young families starting out and seniors wanting to right-size, which is the new term for downsize," she said.
"South Delta needs higher density housing, which can also translate to more affordable housing," Burke added.
Kay Dennison, who along with Burke is a member of the Delta Seniors Community Planning Team, agreed, noting the need for housing to accommodate seniors is increasing.
"Choices are needed for seniors when it comes to housing, and their needs are as varied as the rest of the community," Dennison said.
Several speakers also said Delta needs an injection of younger families and that the proposal offers that demographic a chance to stay in Delta. They also noted Polygon has made significant changes to alleviate concerns.
Those who came to speak in opposition were entirely
from Marina Gardens, citing density, traffic and other concerns. Several said they were not opposed to development but didn't like the higher density being pitched, while some noted they preferred duplexes and single-family houses to townhouses.
Peter Mould reiterated concerns he recently conveyed in an interview with the Optimist that the developers are now asking for a huge change in order to create a windfall at the community's expense.
Calling the consultation process brutal, one resident noted a traffic study submitted to the municipality last year was conducted by an engineering consultant obtained by Polygon. He said Delta should obtain an independent analysis at Polygon's expense.
Bill Wheeler, a Woodward Landing resident, didn't mince words on what he thought of Polygon, calling the company's development changes and tactics unscrupulous.
Also critical of the process, Malcolm Ashford said meaningful discussion and input are needed, but instead the planning department is pushing the application through without due diligence.
Most of the same arguments for and against the development were conveyed at Wednesday's session.
"The prospective developer of the area has met with you at least five times and each time has chipped a little bit more bark off the tree. But has he done enough? As far as we're concerned, definitely no. We need far more consultation with this organization... what you're proposing here right now, if passed, would
have a devastating affect not only on Marina Gardens, but all of Ladner," said Stan Lawson.
Only a few who spoke in favour are homeowners at Marina Gardens, Lawson noted.
Mayor Lois Jackson took exception Wednesday to a statement by one speaker who suggested council was simply following the planning department and that its mind had been made up.
Located off Ferry Road, the first phases of Marina Gardens were completed over two decades ago. Over the years several residential phases and a golf course were added.
The 87-hectare (217-acre) site had originally been approved for 1,426 homes as well as a golf course, a 220-room hotel, a marina, a neighbourhood pub and limited commercial uses. To date, 619 housing units have been constructed.
Photo By Sandor Gyarmati / Mark Sakai spoke in favour of the proposal, in front of a large crowd at municipal hall.;
