Taking a black or white position, we're told, prevents both sides from finding that middle ground, but when it comes to developing the Southlands, there doesn't appear to be much of a grey area.
With just over a month to go until the Century Group's proposal finally makes its way to a public hearing, both pro and con forces are doing whatever they can to convince civic politicians to see the issue through their eyes.
Supporters like the mix of housing, the opening of the property through public spaces and pathways as well as a revitalization of the farmland. Opponents, for the most part, say it's agricultural land, so homes shouldn't sprout from its soil, and are also concerned about the traffic impacts.
That's not to say absolutely everyone takes a black or white approach when it comes to the Southlands and, believe it or not, there's a certain level of ambivalence towards Tsawwassen's most contentious piece of real estate, but rarely do you hear talk about that elusive middle ground.
With a lot of development proposals, you hear concerns about it being too tall or too dense or the look not being in keeping with the surrounding area. In these instances, the debate isn't about whether there will be a development, but rather what shape it will take.
That's not the case with the Southlands. If any amount of development takes place on the property, opponents will view it as a victory for Century, so reaching a scaled down project isn't the goal, or at least not the primary one.
Those who are amenable to construction taking place on the site are generally smitten by the innovative approach Century is taking, so aren't looking for a lot of modifications, while those with reservations won't be satisfied with anything short of scrapping the whole thing. It's a telling sign that some opponents have said it's the right development, just in the wrong location. That suggests they, too, see merits in an all-ages, walkable neighbourhood, but as long as it's proposed for a site they don't view as appropriate, the benefits won't outweigh that one big negative.
The polarization of views is going to make it tough on Delta council members when it comes time for them to render a decision. Century's original proposal had double the number of units, so there's obviously some wiggle room on the housing or even its placement on the property, but it's looking more and more like it's shaping up as an all or nothing proposition.
