An overflow crowd showed up at a public hearing Tuesday to voice opposition to revitalization plans for the Ladner waterfront.
Well over 100 people packed Delta council chambers at municipal hall to make it clear they weren't keen on proposed design and building height regulations aimed at attracting investment to redevelop the area.
One of the bylaws up for discussion would allow building heights go from two storeys to two-and-a-half storeys on the waterfront. Buildings on the south side of Chisholm Street would be permitted to increase from two to four storeys, but there's a provision to allow a developer to go even higher if a "significant community benefit" is provided.
Deputy community planning director Marcy Sangret told council those community benefits could include creating open space improvements, public parking or a boardwalk. She said the new policies are aimed allowing greater uses but maintaining a wide-open, pedestrian-friendly environment, which reflects the heritage character of Ladner Village.
Doug Massey, a member of the Downtown Ladner Waterfront Redevelopment Advisory Committee, expressed concern that was echoed throughout the hearing regarding the proposed building heights as well as the loss of the historical flavour of the area. He said he believed there was never any intention by the committee to allow anything greater than four storeys, so the wording needs to be amended.
Area resident Brenda Jefferson, saying she's opposed to four storeys, let alone six, warned council that it should think carefully about the proposed changes.
John Stevens warned Delta might end up with development it regrets.
Mary Taitt said once provisions allow for bigger buildings, residents would be fighting a never-ending battle against developers.
"Across the Fraser River estuary from us in Steveston, they're facing the same greedy attempts to disconnect their village from its waterfront, but Richmond is ahead of Delta with its heritage values, through its Steveston Village Heritage Conservation Area," said Taitt.
The only person to speak in favour of the proposals was local architect Brian Hart, who said it would be a necessary first step to attract investment.
Responding to a flyer by opponents, titled Save the Ladner Waterfront, Hart noted nothing has changed in the area for decades, despite numerous plans and discussion. He also said buildings up to six storeys could conceivably only be constructed on a limited number of smaller lots.
Following the meeting, Mayor Lois Jackson said they're doing their best to retain the character of historic Ladner, while at the same time hoping to attract investment to revitalize the area.
