It's a great deal for Delta.
That was the sentiment of the majority of Delta council, which today voted in favour of approving the Southlands development application.
In a six-to-one vote, civic politicians granted third reading of the proposal in front of a packed council chamber at municipal hall.
The proposal now goes to Metro Vancouver because the district's approval is also required to change the property's designation in the Livable Region Strategy.
Friday saw the resumption of a public hearing, which had been adjourned last weekend, followed by a special meeting where most councillors spoke highly of the Century Group proposal.
Describing it as "an unbelievable deal" for the municipality, Coun. Ian Paton said that something finally has to be done to end the ongoing saga of the land.
"We've got farmers that have come to me in the last two years saying, 'Man, if this goes through, if there's 80 per cent (of Southlands to Delta) available, put me on the list. I want to get out there. I want a piece of it. I need some more land to farm,'" Paton said.
"We've got some young farmers in Delta that are saying, 'If Delta gives me a reasonable lease rate on some farmland, I would love to get out there.' I know part of it has been set aside by Century Group for community-based gardening, which is fantastic. We can deal with those people and we can also deal with the conventional farmers in Delta to lease more land and grow more product."
Saying it was an amazing offer and package, Coun. Jeannie Kanakos described the development as a respectful project for the surrounding community.
Coun. Bruce McDonald agreed, saying the development will no doubt have impacts, but it provides certainty as well as the ability for Delta to control the change.
"The village concept that has been proposed, in my view, is remarkable, and it's potential ability to have people living in a closer environment without massive high-rises," he said, later adding, "All of the farming community said the same thing: If we can get several hundred acres in there, properly prepared, we are so far ahead of where we are today."
Last Saturday afternoon, well into the fifth day of the public hearing held at the South Delta Recreation Centre, Mayor Lois Jackson announced it had been decided that enough oral submissions had been heard, saying it was uncertain how much longer the hearing would continue. At that point almost 400 people had spoken. The hearing was then adjourned until today.
It was obvious during the hearing the application by Century Group had stiff resistance, particularly from Boundary Bay residents. However, the proposal also had a significant amount of support. Both sides were adamant, only agreeing the division that had been created.
On Friday, Coun. Robert Campbell said it's not just a neighborhood issue or a numbers game, noting it was also a Delta issue. He said the plan would be of great benefit for the entire community.
The Century plan calls for 950 housing units while transferring 80 per cent of the 537-acre Tsawwassen property to Delta, much of it for farming.
Insisting the entire site can be farmed, opponents cited traffic, flooding and wildlife concerns. They also complained the development was in the wrong location, suggesting more density be added to the town centre.
The lone councilor opposed, Sylvia Bishop, reiterated those concerns Friday, saying the majority of residents continue to oppose to development on the property.
Insisting the proposal is a great deal for Delta, those in favour pointed out millions of dollars would need to be invested to improve the poor soil quality of the land for agricultural production. It's promised by Century Group and was mentioned at Friday's meeting.
It was noted farmer Brent Kelly, who is currently trying to farm the property, spoke at the hearing, describing his enormous challenges working the land in its current state, having recently lost $75,000 in crops due to flooding problems.
McDonald said despite Kelly's submission and what farmers are saying, those opposed continued to say the property is fine for farming, an argument that doesn't add up.
Coun. Scott Hamilton said it was a tough decision but it's time to deal with the issue once and for all and move on.
Saying she's tried to save every inch of farmland she could throughout all her decades on council, Jackson described the deal by Century as "the most astounding" she's ever seen.
She added that she hopes the divided community will heal.
The Southlands, bounded by 56th Street and Boundary Bay Road, is zoned for farming, but is no longer in the Agricultural Land Reserve. Jackson and Kanakos said they want to see the farming area that would be given to Delta placed back in the ALR.
In attendance to watch Friday's proceeding was Century Group president Sean Hodgins, who was congratulated by supporters at the meeting's conclusion.
He told the Optimist he's confident many in the community will realize his project is a well thought out and progressive one that will result in enormous benefits.
"We've been debating the future of this property for a long time. I've worked very hard in the last seven years and it's not an open-ended opposition. It has to come to a conclusion and they (council) had some very good comments."
