Editor: The Southlands proposal provides reasonably sized housing for first-time buyers and downsizing seniors. Several years of careful planning by the Southlands Community Planning Team, working closely with Sean Hodgins, have produced an excellent agricultural and community based plan that will become the envy of town planners throughout North America.
I urge our mayor and council to seize the opportunity to pass the Southlands project through first and second readings to final approval. Please keep all the positive advantages of Southlands uppermost in your deliberations.
All areas of Tsawwassen, including Centennial Tides, Monterra, Forest by the Bay, Imperial Village, Stahaken and Tsawwassen Springs, have welcomed new residents, known as newbies, to enjoy the benefits of the Tsawwassen lifestyle.
However, once some of these newbies have settled in to enjoy their new homes, they mysteriously become NIMBYs. The selfishness of this attitude is appalling.
We all enjoy the shopping advantages at 12th Avenue and 56th Street that were built to meet the needs of the growth in our population. Without growth and young families moving into areas like Southlands, more schools could close and the tax base could decline at a time when infrastructure upgrades are needed throughout Delta.
Communities must continue to evolve or they will die like Detroit, Michigan. Mayor Lois Jackson and council are to be commended on their stewardship of Delta and their realization that communities like Southlands will contribute substantially to the positive growth of Tsawwassen and Delta as a whole.
Jackson has wisely stated that "council must base its decisions to create a good community based on good plans and common sense."
Joan Vanstone
