The West Shore Laylum care home in Ladner will soon be redeveloped into a larger facility.
Delta council endorsed a redevelopment application Monday that would see a new community care facility constructed at 4900 Central Ave.
The number of beds would increase from 55 to 74 and the new building would be three storeys compared to the current two.
According to Delta’s planning department, the site doesn’t need to be rezoned so there won’t be a public hearing.
Planning director Marcy Sangret said a public notification letter was sent out to area residents in late May with a notification sign installed at the site in early June.
Delta received one letter of opposition from a neighbor who stated concerns about losing privacy and sunlight.
Sangret said the applicant has contacted the resident and is looking at ways to alter the design of the project so it would address some of the privacy issues.
“The owners are looking to rebuild the facility in a more modern standard of care,” she said. “They are looking to expand the facility under the existing zoning. The applicant is currently in the process of re-locating the existing residents to a similar facility in Surrey until the new facility is built.”
Coun. Jeannie Kanakos expressed some concerns about the designs and the fact a public hearing isn’t required, while Coun. Lois Jackson also had a few concerns with the design and removal of trees. Coun. Dylan Kruger commended the applicant for the fact that all of the trees and landscaping would be replaced at their cost.
“We are talking 41 years ago that this was built and I didn’t even know it existed until about 20 years ago when I went through the place. I was very impressed,” added Coun. Bruce McDonald.
“It is very well run. We have never had a complaint. We have had one person who objected to the proposal, and I cannot see any reason why we should delay approval of this type of facility which we desperately need unless there was a genuine outcry. We’re not seeing that, so from my perspective we should move forward.”
