Editor:
The three communities of Delta each have a very distinctive character that draws people, tourists, sightseers and marketers to these communities.
Of all three communities, Ladner has the most distinctive and historic character, a character that, to some degree, has been maintained with the infill approach to densification. It is imperative this character not be taken away.
When seen from almost any perspective, the proposal for a five-storey condo building does not suit the village of Ladner. The fact that a number of variances are asked for in this proposal is telling.
All would indicate the proposed building would do little to enhance the historic character of Ladner, especially in an area that is already affected by a number of 1970s buildings. The density variance alone requires an increase of 36 per cent above and beyond the current zoning. This application should have been sent from the planning department to Delta council with only one comment stamped on the cover letter: unacceptable, please reject.
Please, let's keep densification at an acceptable level and stay within the OCP. The community has spent many hours helping put the OCP together, so civic officials should respect it.
If variances are asked for let them be reasonable and let them come with appropriate returns to the community such as additional green spaces or public amenities that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Peter van der Velden
