The next step in the City of Delta’s plan to transform its side of the busy Scott Road corridor will commence following council’s approval last week of a public consultation process.
The consultation is to gather feedback on revisiting North Delta’s Official Community Plan, which was one of the recommendations from the Mayor's Housing Task Force for Scott Road.
The task force's final report included policy recommendations for a new land use concept that divides the corridor into three main districts, composed of six walkable, mixed-use neighbourhoods.
The OCP was last updated in 2014.
Planning staff will also review incentives currently available under the Scott Road Revitalization Bylaw and, if warranted, will bring forward amendments for council's consideration.
The current bylaw was adopted in 2012 and applies to properties between 120th (Scott Road) and 118th streets, from 96th to just south of 64th avenues.
The bylaw provides economic incentives to encourage accelerated private sector investment in residential and commercial projects along the corridor.
Staff will also review current parking requirements for new developments along Scott Road and may bring forward amendments for further parking reductions.
A recent report to council notes that the task force found that with a rapid bus route planned for Scott Road, further reductions in parking requirements and some based on housing tenure, such as rental and below-market housing, may be a “potent incentive” for more affordable housing.
The task force also notes that parking reductions could also help free up development revenues for greater amenity contributions and public realm improvements.
“Staff are investigating the parking requirements that other cities have for areas near rapid bus and SkyTrain routes. If this research concludes that further reductions to parking requirements are supportable, staff will bring forward bylaw amendments for council's consideration. Any future parking reductions would be considered against potential spillover impacts in surrounding neighbourhoods,” the report notes.
The proposed changes for Scott Road are to also tie in with a new overall housing action plan for Delta currently being formulated by the city.
At the March 29th council meeting, community planning director Marcy Sangret explained the city was undertaking consultation only and any OCP changes would still need to go back to council and be subject to a public hearing.
Coun. Bruce McDonald said that when it comes to any more potential high-rises, if properly designed they can fit well into neighbourhoods.
He added that the Townline Node section seems like the most ideal area for such buildings.
