The City of Delta will be looking at where it can add more passive green spaces.
Council, at its Aug. 8 meeting, agreed with a motion by Coun. Lois Jackson to get a staff report where, starting in a quadrant of North Delta, it can create passive green space for residents, as well as how much funding is available in the city’s parks acquisition reserve.
The move comes after a petition was submitted by residents opposed to a proposed development on a lot at 11488 92 Avenue, an application that would see four new single-detached houses and 12 duplex units built.
The letter writer submitting the petition noted people in the neighbourhood are strongly opposed to the proposed density of the application.
Jackson, meanwhile, said she’s concerned about the loss of trees and that there is no green space in the area for residents to enjoy a little outdoor respite.
“It occurs to me, particularly in the north end in the neighbourhood, we aren’t that rich in terms of green space, passive space for the residents of that area. We have playing fields, we have school fields, but we don’t have any treed areas of natural growth in this area,” she said.
Staff will focus on the property in question and also a quadrant between 112th to 120th streets and 96th to 92nd avenues.
Staff note the 92 Avenue application is still under review and in an initial public engagement phase.
Council has received other letters of concern and opposition but have not yet received a report from staff with recommendations.
A previous application for the same large property was withdrawn and the applicant has since come up with a new proposal.
Westcorp Developments 92 Avenue Ltd. in 2020 submitted an application for a 32-unit residential development, which included three houses and 29 townhouses.
Zoned single-family, the higher-density housing was not consistent with the Official Community Plan (OCP) for the site.
A resident petition was submitted regrading that application as well, concerned about the density and type of development, traffic and parking issues and the proposal to remove mature evergreen trees.
According to the City of Delta, the revised application is consistent with the OCP.
