Delta council recently endorsed the use of a community benefit policy for new residential projects proposing one or more buildings over six-storeys in height within the new Urban Centre and Scott Road Corridor Official Community Plan (OCP) designations.
A staff report notes residents expressed concerns regarding the ability of existing city infrastructure and services to support growth with the updated OCP.
The 2024 OCP specifies that, to achieve medium to high-density apartment forms, developers are expected to provide an amenity contribution.
The new policy is to provide clarity and consistency to achieve amenities within the city’s purview that are needed to support growth, such as needed housing types, community centres, childcare and parks.
It is intended to serve as an interim process while staff work to develop a more detailed policy.
The Urban Centre designation applies in central areas, such as around 56 Street and 12 Avenue in Tsawwassen and 84 Avenue at 112 Street in North Delta.
The designation is intended for primarily six-storey development, however, there are limited opportunities for up to 24 storeys, subject to an amenity contribution.
The Scott Road Corridor designation is intended for various heights between six-and-32 storeys, subject to the Scott Road Corridor Height Map and an amenity contribution for projects above six-storeys.
The report also notes that the province is expanding and providing new tools for development financing to support the demand for infrastructure, amenities and services associated with increased housing supply.
Those include new potential uses for development cost charges and a new tool called amenity cost charges, which can be applied in a similar way to development cost charges to achieve amenities like community centres, childcare, recreation facilities and more.
The report also notes the city is also initiating work on an amenity cost charge bylaw consistent with provincial guidelines, but that work requires additional analysis with recommendations to be brought forward to council at a later date.
Meanwhile, the city recently issued a request for bids for a consultant to undertake land economic consulting services, which may include reviewing financial analysis provided by developers to compare the value of amenity contributions to the value of bonus densities.
