Editor: Despite overwhelming opposition to development on the Southlands, Delta council will be considering the proposal on July 29.
The application is a request for 950 residential units in various forms and commercial units as well.
What many people don't know is the Southlands application does not include the 47 acre-property east of Forest by the Bay and south of Beach Grove Golf Club. If civic politicians approve the Southlands deal, a subsequent application for at least 200 more units on the 47 acres will inevitably come to council.
Current maps show this property as nicely plowed brown earth giving the impression it will stay that way. Not so. There can be no doubt that a development application is pending for the 47 acres.
The property is owned by a numbered Vancouver company and it is heavily mortgaged (including mortgage funding from a federal Crown corporation). Recent enquiries concerning development potential have been made in municipal hall but Delta claims it is unable to consider the impacts of development on this property as a formal application has not yet been made.
If Delta approves the Southlands application, it will be obligated to also approve development on this adjacent property.
Impacts of the Southlands development do not include this development for an additional 200 to 250 units, which will add a significant additional burden on traffic, roads, infrastructure, community and professional services, schools and all amenities.
On July 29 when council votes whether to send the Southlands application to a public hearing, will council members have all the information they need to make an informed decision? Or will they have only the information that Delta staff is giving them because "there's no development application for this property in the hall at this time?" Council would serve the public well by including impacts of potential future applications in the area of the Southlands.
Susan Jones
