Editor: Re: Opponents pushing the usual buttons as rhetoric ramps up, Community Comment, Sept. 20 Columnist Mike Schneider seems confused about a few issues surrounding the Southlands development proposal.
His reference to a "repetitive fear tactic strategy" is off base. The case for climate change induced sea level rise is well established and is addressed by recent B.C. guidelines for development in coastal areas.
These guidelines were followed by Delta's own consultants when they recommended a flood construction level (FCL) of elevation 4.8 m geodetic for the Southlands. This recommendation is being flouted by the current development proposal.
And yes, after 2100, with the currently predicted sea level rise of 1.2 m plus a high tide and the design storm and storm surge, the whole of Boundary Bay and Beach Grove would be at risk of inundation. It doesn't seem reasonable to expose yet another 2,000 or more people to this hazard, especially when insurance coverage and government disaster funding may not be available if design guidelines have not been followed.
More to the point, a long-term flood protection strategy for the whole of Boundary Bay and Beach Grove is needed, and should be established before allowing a major development to proceed.
Concerning the improvements to the intersection of 56th Street and 12th Avenue, Century will not "pick up the tab." Century has only offered to pay for what it considers to be its fair share, at 30 per cent of the total cost.
The fact is that although Century has committed $9 million for drainage and irrigation upgrades, Delta's engineering report puts the total cost at $12.8 million. When questioned on this recently, Sean Hodgins implied that Delta's tax revenue from the development, he estimated at $2 million per year, would be the source of funding for the difference.
At the current Delta mil rate of 3.5188, tax revenue of $2 million per year on 950 units implies an average assessed value of $598,000/unit. It is just as well that Century is not promoting this development as affordable.
Adrian Wightman
