A vacant lot in Ladner Village could finally be redeveloped following council’s preliminary approval Monday to alter what had originally been approved for the site.
A zoning amendment and a development permit for a mixed-use commercial/residential building was approved for the combined properties 4868 and 4872 Delta St., but this time for an increase in storey height and a reduction in strata lot area.
The application will be discussed at a public hearing on Monday, Aug. 8.
Council in 2019 had previously given final approval for a redevelopment that would see a two-and-a-half-storey mixed use building. An existing heritage building would be torn down while lot next door was already empty.
The new building would have seen commercial uses on the first floor and four residential units above
At the time, it was over two years since council gave conditional approval but the site had since changed owners. New ownership would take over last fall and they made an application to amend the previous approval.
The new proposal was for a three-storey mixed-use building with retail commercial use on the ground level and four residential units above.
The changes will not only result in an increase in storey height, but also a reduction of commercial area and an increase of residential area, while the total floor area would increase slightly.
The living units will vary in size while the overall design of the building will remain similar to what had been approved previously.
The three-storey building would be compatible with other buildings along Delta Street, according to the planning department.
Noting the site has been under multiple ownerships that found it wasn’t viable to build what had been approved, Coun. Dylan Kruger said he is keen to see the empty hole in the village filled.
Mayor George Harvie agreed, describing the empty space as “awful on our main street there”.
Although she voted in favour as well, Coun. Lois Jackson expressed concern, saying “I’d like to retain the flavour of the history Ladner and I’m not sure this quite hits the mark.”
The Ladner Village Renewal Advisory Committee was told the site remained vacant because it simply wasn’t economically viable to redevelop.
In late 2021, council voted in favour of Ladner Village Official Community Plan amendments aimed at revitalizing the village and waterfront.
Many of the amendments came from the committee’s final recommendations the previous year, encouraging redevelopment by allowing higher density including new buildings up to six storeys, depending on the location.
Council heard mostly support at a public hearing from residents and members of the business community, including those saying local businesses are desperate for the changes and that more affordable housing options are needed.
