Editor:
A plan to add additional affordable senior living in Tsawwassen is commendable, however, the proposal outlined for the new KinVillage seems to fly in the face of the Tsawwassen Area Plan and liveability in central Tsawwassen.
The area plan states objectives, which include the enhancement of unique neighbourhoods, limits on building heights and to provide adequate indoor and outdoor facilities to meet recreational, cultural and educational needs.
Based on the density of the project and upcoming phases this development does not meet these objectives:
* A six-storey development in the heart of Tsawwassen’s residential area is the antithesis of what living in Tsawwassen is about. The area adjacent to the proposed development are family homes or three to four storey apartment buildings
* Internal ‘amenity space’ is far below the standard set by BC Housing and much of that is exterior space unusable in bad weather
* The parking arrangements are woefully inadequate with a total of 160 proposed parking spaces
* The streets around the current development are choked, 10th Ave, 54A St. and 11th Ave and are simply one lane due to parking. The rationale this minimal parking is cost, surely cost should not override quality of living
* The proposal includes the relocation of the bowling club and this will remove another large area of recreational space from general public use.
Like many in Tsawwassen, I support the provision of additional affordable rental units for seniors but surely the city council should look to a development that: respects the more active lifestyle senior enjoy today, is more sympathetic to the character of our town, provides adequate parking, does not create traffic density issues and does not reduce the available recreation space open to the general public.
I hope that our council will not rush to approve this development in its current form, but take a broader view of what fits seniors’ lifestyle today and the adverse effect on the neighbourhood, this development will be with us a long time.
Dave Stanton
