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Student dorm given council OK

Former Ladner Trunk Road care home to be transformed into residence for up to 50 international students

Delta council has given the green light for a foreign student dormitory in Ladner.

Civic politicians agreed with a staff recommendation this week to grant a development permit to Golden Landmark International Education Inc. to convert a former seniors' care home into a group home for foreign students enrolled in the Delta school district's international program.

Located at 5681 Ladner Trunk Rd., the group home would also house teachers and supervisors.

The former care home, known as Heritage House Intermediate Care, closed in early 2009 and was purchased by Golden Landmark International Education Inc. in late 2010.

The company originally submitted a rezoning application earlier this year but civic staff later learned the proposed dormitory use still fit within the existing zoning.

Council was told the proposed changes to the existing building would be largely cosmetic, including a new roof, replacement of siding and building materials as well as interior renovations such as new flooring, finishing and paint. The five-on-site parking spaces would be retained, while the south access point closest to the intersection of 57th Street and Ladner Trunk Road is to be closed.

The building is being designed to accommodate up to 50 Grade 5 students, but the applicant noted there would likely be 35 students and five adults in the building at all times.

The surrounding neighbourhood was notified of the application and, according to a report to council, one resident indicated some concern about the number of school-aged children that would live in proximity to a 7-Eleven and McDonald's and how this may increase the risk of loitering, littering and vandalism.

The resident also expressed concern about the safety of school-aged children near the busy intersection.

The applicant indicated the children at the dorm would be under adult supervision and would also be involved in organized activities outside of school hours.

In an interview with the Optimist earlier year, Delta school board chair Dale Saip said the school district wasn't involved in the application.

Noting the district has a good home-stay program for international students, he added the dorm would still be a positive for Delta because it would bring additional students to the district.

A few years earlier, Delta council shot down a proposed land swap by the school board that would have paved the way for the district to build a dormitory near Holly Park that would have housed as many as 300 students.

sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com