The controversial application to build 37 townhomes in a primarily single-family Tsawwassen neighbourhood received preliminary approval by council following a packed public hearing at Municipal Hall on Monday evening.
Council voted 6-1 in favour with only Dan Copeland in the negative. The majority of the over 60 speakers at the hearing spoke in favour of the development on consolidated parcels at the corner of 53 Street and 8A Avenue, a proposal that’s gone through several revisions and has been winding its way through the municipal approval process for a couple of years. The application also involves a request from the developer to acquire a portion of city-owned land in exchange for a portion of other land that would be consolidated with Winskill Park.
It was a familiar debate on the need to densify versus maintaining the character of single-family neighbourhoods. Most who spoke in favour reiterated the need for more affordable housing, especially for young people who want to remain in the community, and pointed to the lack of townhouse and condominium supply in the community.
“I think the fit is good. I think the need for townhouses in Tsawwassen is huge,” said one speaker.
There was also plenty of back-and-forth on the affordability of the townhomes with some saying $800,000 is too much for young people wanting their first home, while others said it’s relative compared to detached houses priced at well over $1 million.
“I don’t believe luxury townhomes are the answer for young people trying to get into the housing market,” said one speaker.
Many in opposition also spoke about traffic concerns and questioned the purpose of a community plan they fear would be easily amended with any developer’s land assembly.
“This will set a precedent and open up the floodgates to townhouses everywhere in Tsawwassen,” warned one resident.
However, a speaker in favour warned, “To believe change is not coming is myopic and will lead to bad planning in the future.”
Realtor Fraser Elliot warned the demand for a more varied and affordable mix of housing in the community is only going to intensify with the population in the region increasing, adding even people in his own age range are finding themselves having to move away to the valley and elsewhere because of the limited supply. He also suggested the OCP is badly in need of updating.
Noting the project is close to amenities and the town centre, developer Harry Sharma of Maple Leaf Homes said they had an analysis conducted which found there would be little impact on traffic.
Susan Jones, however, told council they should listen to those who live in the neighbourhood and would be most impacted, rather those speaking in favour who have a vested interest. A speaker in favour, though, pointed out that while it won’t solve the affordability problem in Tsawwassen, the project is at least a good start.
Coun. Alicia Guichon, noting she’s seen her friends have to move away due to the limited supply, said she doesn’t see more young people being able to stay or move into Delta as a negative. “I want to see young families in Delta and I want to see young families living and working in Delta,” she said.
Coun. Dylan Kruger also said he’s seen many of his friends had to move away due to the lack of affordable alternatives to single-family detached houses.
Coun. Lois Jackson agreed with her young first-term colleagues, acknowledging change can be difficult. She also said the OCP and area plans need updating but the city needs to do so thoughtfully.
“I think we are in a very different era than we were 10 years ago when this was reviewed,” she said.
Coun. Jeannie Kanakos noted the city is at “a fork in the road” on which way to go with increasing densification.
Mayor George Harvie also agreed it’s important to take another look at the area plans.
