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Unacceptable design prompts Delta council to send back townhouse plan

The applicant applied for a rezoning, development variance permit, development permit and lot consolidation for properties in the 11000 block of 83A Avenue, the 8300 block of 115th Street and 11000 block of 83rd Avenue.
83 avenue townhouses
Council late last year agreed the initial proposed design for the townhouse development (bottom) was unacceptable and shouldn’t proceed to public consultation until changes were made. Council this week got a revised rendering (top).

A proposed townhouse development in North Delta, which drew the ire of city council for its unappealing design, has been revised.

Council held a workshop on Monday to discuss new drawings by Flat Architecture, on behalf of a numbered company owned by Paul Sidhu, for a 35-unit townhouse development at 83rd Avenue and 115th Street.

Across the street from North Delta Secondary, seven single-family lots would be consolidated to construct three-storey townhouse units in eight buildings.

The revised design is aimed at addressing the concerns by council at its Dec. 7, 2020 meeting when the application was first presented.

Council unanimously balked at the proposed design, saying they could never approve it the way it was presented and that the form and character should fit in with the rest of the community.

A report to council notes the revised look provides, among other things, a more "friendly" street presence that features a more traditional design including pitched roofs.

The new design also features semi-private spaces such as balconies and front-yard patios that face the street and more “high-quality” detail when it comes to trim and materials, as well as more lawn space and distinct unit entrances.

Council at its December meeting sent the application back without initiating a public consultation process, which must still be held.

At that meeting, several on council wondered if Delta should have standards when it comes to design and whether the city’s new advisory design panel will need to look at proposed housing forms as soon as possible in the application process. 

The advisory design panel must also look at the new design for the rezoning application before it goes back to council for consideration on whether it goes to a public hearing.