Hallelujah! Some rejoice and others lament in South Delta over the decision by Delta Council and Metro Vancouver to accept development on a portion of the Spetifore lands.
There remains some dissatisfaction in the community over these decisions.
As one directly involved in this property's political fate in 1989 this will be my final comment, as much has already been said on the pros and cons on the current proposal. In terms of context, the property has been the subject of public discussion for more than half a century following the passing of Sam Spetifore in 1956.
The Corporation Of Delta was very much involved in the application for development in the 1970s culminating with a public hearing in 1975 with near unanimous support by the community and full support of council.
Much has been said criticizing the manner by which the land was removed from the ALR. What seems to be lost in the discussion was Delta's request to Victoria to overturn GVRD's rejection of this application.
Knowing these issues and support of the community in five elections, I was challenged with the review of the history of this family and their lands as their application lay inertly in Delta's planning department.
Like many others, I felt the GVRD had overstepped its authority on denying Delta's decision. A recent judgement of B.C.'s Supreme Court on a Langley Township land use matter also supported this view.
I have never understood how a committee of mayors from other jurisdictions could overturn a decision of elected and accountable citizens of a particular municipality. Many of us believe in the rights of property owners to a public review of proposed zoning changes. That's what councillors and mayors are primarily charged with by provincial legislation.
The Spetifore land use issue had sat dormant for 14 years and full well knowing the risk issues, a majority of council agreed to proceed to a public hearing. At the same time a large property in Richmond known as Terra Nova underwent nine days of public hearing and was subsequently approved.
The Spetifore hearing lasted from May through August and was ultimately rejected by the community and council.
A wholesale council change occurred in 1990 over this high profile land issue. As long as that land remained in private hands it would remain a public matter and council's character would be shaped by this issue.
Twenty-five years later the land has received approval in principle by Delta and Metro Vancouver. There are rumblings over who should accept responsibility over this result.
Compromise works in the business world, far less so in the political arena. Sean Hodgins wins by organizing support and incorporating views and opinions of those opposed to some or any development.
The community wins by having 80 percent of the land returned to agricultural use. There is a consensus after decades of divisiveness. Thirty-nine years later council and the community have come full circle.
And a good night to you, Lois.
