It's been another busy year in South Delta with many of the big issues, ones that could leave enormous impacts on this community, still works in progress. The South Fraser Perimeter Road finally became a reality in 2013, but much more is to come over the next 12 months and beyond.
Here's a look at some of the stories to watch in 2014: Terminal 2 and George Massey Tunnel replacement These two enormous projects stand to change the face of South Delta, but we won't hear much about them in 2014 other than more planning. The port will continue its various field studies, although to many it seems a forgone conclusion another threeberth terminal at Roberts Bank will be constructed.
As far as a new bridge over the south arm of the Fraser River, the provincial government appears determined to move forward and begin construction in 2017. A series of technical studies are getting underway. For the time being, a widening of the Steveston off-ramp is expected to help alleviate some of the northbound congestion.
Southlands The Century Group's development application on the contentious property received historic approval from Delta council in the fall. Regional approval is still required, so it's now up to Metro Vancouver.
A date for a regional district public hearing has yet to be set, but expect opponents and supporters to make their presence known when it does take place this year. Should the project receive regional approval, don't expect site preparation to begin this year. Century president Sean Hodgins recently told the Optimist the earliest anything would occur is late next year.
Tsawwassen First Nation The TFN is proceeding with changes that will certainly have a long-term impact for South Delta, but for now it will be mostly construction continuing on a pair of mega malls and the Tsawwassen Shores housing development. Work on upgrading the road network to accommodate all that growth will occur this year, but it will be a couple of years before the malls are completed.
TFN CAO Tom McCarthy said a firm has been hired to design and construct an on-site sewage treatment plant and concrete will be poured this spring. He said the entire system, including pipes, would be completed over the next couple of years.
The TFN announced in 2013 it's partnering with Port Metro Vancouver to build a container inspection facility. Construction will get underway this year but the facility won't be open until spring 2015.
Marina Garden Estates Despite opposition from many of its existing residents, the final phase of the neighbourhood received Delta council approval in 2013. As far as what will happen on the site this year, Polygon president Neil Chrystal said that while the revised zoning has been approved, the first formal development application hasn't been submitted yet.
He said his company is still in the preliminary design stage. The first of the development applications this year would be for a pocket of townhomes east of Admiral Boulevard, he said.
Point Roberts radio towers Whatcom County is currently reviewing a highly controversial application from BBC Broadcasting to install five 45-metre (150-foot) radio transmission towers in Point Roberts, just across the border with Tsawwassen. The towers would broadcast KRPI, 1550 AM.
A public hearing is expected this month and the county hearing examiner will then have to decide if the project can go ahead. Residents on both sides of the border can make presentations.
River dredging In late 2012, after years of lobbying various levels of government, the Ladner Sediment Group finally tasted success with the announcement of a $10-million project to dredge the secondary channels in the Fraser River in Ladner and Steveston.
When the announcement was made, work was expected to begin in the summer of 2013, but frustration mounted as nothing happened. However, Tom Corsie, PMV's vice-president of real estate, recently told the Optimist work is expected early this year.
What could impact the scope of the project is Environment Canada's plan to charge up to $500,000 in ocean disposal fees.
Municipal election It's hard to believe three years will have come and gone since the last election, which saw Mayor Lois Jackson re-elected by a wide margin. At this point, Jackson, who is in her 15th year in the mayor's chair and has spent the better part of four decades on Delta council, has given no indication she's ready to step down.
For now, the only confirmed seat that will be up for grabs in the November election is the one belonging to Scott Hamilton, who was elected as Delta North Liberal MLA last May.
MK Delta Lands proposal This large-scale development plan of more than 1,000 housing units adjacent to Highway 91 has already gone through a number of revisions. A public hearing is likely some time this year for the application that would need both local and regional approval.
Delta Hospital The Delta Hospital Foundation is raising $7.5 million of a $12.5 million expansion project for diagnostic services, including a new medical imaging and laboratory wing. It's part of a new master site plan.
The new wing won't be built in 2014, but the foundation notes it only needs $1.8 million more to reach its campaign target.
