The City of Delta is proposing a long-term lease for land designated as a park to a private company for an industrial use.
The city-owned River View Park Reserve is located at 8313 River Rd., comprising more than 4,841 square metres.
The southern 3,300-square-metre portion would be leased by the city if not enough residents register opposition through what is known as an alternative approval process. At least 10 per cent (7,573) eligible electors would have to sign and submit an electoral response indicating opposition by Sept. 11 to kill the deal.
The northern portion of the property borders the Fraser River, improved with shoreline riprap and trees, would be excluded from the proposed lease area.
The site was acquired in 1981 as dedicated park land through a subdivision.
A staff report notes as the neighborhood continued developing, the lot was zoned industrial and the southern portion was periodically licensed to local businesses such as Optimil Machinery Inc. on a short-term basis
Optimil has held a licence over the southern portion since 2005 and occupies the land in conjunction with their sawmill and log processing machinery business next door.
At Optimil’s request, city staff discussed a new, longer-term lease agreement for an initial five-year term plus two rights to renew for a maximum potential term of 15 years.
The city notes that it does not have any short-term plans to use that portion of the site and Delta will benefit through the collection of property tax revenue.
According to the city, the anticipated base rent for the first five years is estimated at $468,000, money that will be held in a reserve fund established for the purpose of acquiring park lands.
Following a public hearing several weeks ago, when council approved an Official Community Plan amendment for a mixed single-detached residential and infill duplex development, Mayor George Harvie noted the city needs to do more when it comes to purchasing more land for parks.
He said Delta has a reserve fund, but has not been acting fast enough.
