Editor:
Re: Resisting change (Optimist, opinion, May 4).
It is rather interesting to read the tone of Mr. Jacques regarding the issue of change. He speaks of a “housing crisis” as the Achieving Delta team did during the election.
We don’t have a housing crisis, we have an “affordability crisis.” This council is only fanning the flames of this ‘crisis’ by approving more “market price” housing. The plans to create more housing has risen real estate sales in Delta as developers are buying properties on spec.
As for the provincial government demanding more housing stock, let them build more access roads into Tsawwassen and Ladner. Good housing stock needs infrastructure and we don’t have it.
As for the business community approving the project. How many business people agree that the $300,000 offer for ‘affordable housing’ is acceptable when council is proposing tax breaks of more than $300,000? This basically leaves Deltans on the hook for $300,000. This shows no negotiation skills on the part of council. As a council they need to make better decisions for Delta. They are in the driver’s seat when a developer asks for variances. Use that power!
Mr. Jacques should give some consideration to the terms growth, development, change and progress. There are reasons people are upset with this proposal. It doesn’t present progress, only growth. It does not deal with affordable housing and will only continue to drive up housing costs.
Peter van der Velden
