Yet another proposed high-density residential development application has been submitted to the city for a vacant lot in North Delta.
The application consists of 285 residential apartments in a six-storey building at the corner of Scott Road and 75A Avenue.
A 155 apartment and 10 townhouse development was already approved for the site, but that plan has now been withdrawn by the new owners.
The proposed Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment would change the minimum floor space ratio in the current land use designation.
Although the new application still requires a public hearing, the city is pointing out that new provincial legislation means the proposal can’t be denied due to density or height.
The location would be within a certain floor space ratio and under a height of eight storeys, thus, it cannot be denied by council due to density and height because the property is located within 400 metres of the Scottsdale Transit Exchange.
Council can only consider other factors, said Coun. Dylan Kruger at the Jan. 22 council meeting, noting that the new provincial rules need to be made clear for residents.
The previous application was approved in 2021 following a public hearing for an OCP amendment.
At the time, planning staff said the applicant worked with the city to ensure that the proposal aligned with the policy direction of the Mayor’s Housing Task Force for Scott Road.
The task force was formed following a controversial earlier application for a high-rise development at the site that was defeated.
In 2019, the majority of council voted to reject that application for the 35-storey tower with 329 units, as well as six townhouses, on the property.
Hundreds attended the public hearing for the application, which proved to be divisive with many speaking in opposition, but the plan also had supporters as well.
Following the defeat of that application, Mayor George Harvie announced he would form a special task force to come up with recommendations for future development along the Scott Road corridor, providing clarity and certainty for developers and residents.
It was directed to look at a broad range of housing forms including low-rise to high-rise buildings and a mix of market, rental and affordable housing.
Three years ago, the task force submitted its final report with recommendations that outlined a new concept, breaking the corridor into three main districts, composed of six walkable, mixed-use neighbourhoods.
However, the new provincial housing legislation may make many of those recommendations outdated.
To meet the province’s housing target for Delta and keep in step with the new legislation, the city is now looking at sweeping OCP amendments, including adjusting height and/or density allowances in town centres and major corridors to accommodate more units.
Candidate areas include Scott Road, Nordel Social Heart, Ladner Trunk Road, Tsawwassen Town Centre and 56 Street.
