Council this week gave preliminary approval for a new childcare facility in Ladner.
Located at Captain’s Cove Marina at 5519 Admiral Way, the childcare facility would be built in a currently vacant site located on the upland portion of a larger property.
A report to council notes the location was always planned for commercial uses under the area’s master plan.
The proposal is to allow for a childcare facility use within a proposed 14,112-square-foot, one-storey commercial building with one level of under-building parking containing 223 parking spaces.
The childcare facility use is envisioned to accommodate an identified need for childcare spaces in the area, the report notes.
The building size would be under the permitted maximum building size and include a marina office, commercial retail units and a potential restaurant in addition to the childcare facility use.
The proposed childcare facility use and associated outdoor amenity area would be located at the southwest corner of the building and is projected to accommodate 106 children served by 14 employees.
The owner has also submitted a traffic assessment update which indicates that the additional net increase in trips for the proposed childcare use would be negligible compared to an earlier proposal which envisioned more retail and office area, the report explains.
“Delta's Childcare Needs Assessment identifies Marina Gardens as an area with a high need for childcare spaces. Delta's Childcare Strategy and Action Plan approved on May 11, 2020 enables Council and staff to work with community partners and stakeholders to develop specific actions aimed at increasing childcare accessibility and affordability in Delta,” the report states.
"It also identifies a goal adding 1,051 childcare spaces over the next 10 years to reach the Canadian average of 27.2 spaces per 100 children with a focus on infant/toddler and school age spaces. According to the research findings presented in the Childcare Strategy, there is a demonstrated need for childcare in Ladner, which currently has the fewest childcare spaces available for children aged 6 to 12 compared to North Delta and Tsawwassen. The proposed childcare facility rezoning would serve to allow for much needed childcare facility spaces in the Ladner area and contribute to achieving Delta's long term goal of adding childcare spaces in line with the Canadian average.”
The owner also proposes an accessory clock structure located at the west walkway entry area leading to the building.
A public hearing is to be held this month.
“In order to encourage public participation in the public hearing process while giving the public the option to participate via electronic means at their discretion without attending a meeting in person, staff have developed a protocol for a public hearing that would allow for residents to provide comments from their homes,” the report adds.
