Two days? Really? That seems way too optimistic, doesn't it?
It appears Tsawwassenites will finally be given an opportunity to have their say on the development proposal for the Southlands that Sean Hodgins' Century Group has had in the works for years.
Delta has tentatively set aside two days in September for a public hearing, presuming, of course, that civic politicians give the application the requisite preliminary approvals next month.
I realize those over at municipal hall don't want to foreshadow some sort of never-ending clash in the community by setting aside multiple weeks for the hearing, but getting through everyone that wants to have their say on an issue that so many hold dear over the course of just two nights seems, at best, unlikely.
The last time a development proposal for Tsawwassen's most contentious piece of real estate made it to a hearing was way back in 1989, and as many know, that lasted for the better part of two months, setting records in the process.
This is a decidedly different application and we're obviously in a new era, but emotions still run deep when it comes to this line-in-the-sand issue. There's significantly more support for today's proposal than was the case two decades ago, where upwards of 90 per cent were opposed, so if anything, you'd think this has the makings of an even more protracted debate.
I can't see that happening as there will undoubtedly be tighter restrictions placed on speakers. Back in 1989, Delta council had been given advice to let people talk for as long as they wanted, fearing that if they were cut short it could prompt a legal challenge. Once it was obvious the project was heading towards defeat, that directive became moot and the hearing mercifully came to an end.
The outcome this time around is far less clear-cut, which poses a new set of challenges for those at municipal hall.
There will be many lined up on both sides of the fence offering impassioned appeals in attempt to convince council members to see it their way. I imagine both camps will be well organized, each scrambling to get a stranglehold on the speakers list to set the tone for the hearing.
Civic politicians will be cajoled, flattered, scolded, lectured, threatened and praised as the usual suspects offer, well, the usual fare, while newcomers act as guest stars in this long-running drama.
In other words, it's going to take a lot more than two days for this public hearing to play out.
