Delta council approved Century Group's proposed development for the former Southpointe Academy site this week.
On Monday night, civic politicians voted in favour of the project that includes 41 stacked one-and twobedroom townhouses, a six storey office building and a four-storey, 64-unit seniors rental congregate housing building.
The 56th Street development, which has been named Northgate, was the subject of a public hearing last month.
A number of residents spoke in favour of the plan at the hearing, including Bill Corry, who was initially opposed and had gathered a petition against it.
"Since that second meeting there's been dramatic changes in the design, so now I'm supporting this proposal. I think it's a positive project for the community," he said.
A slight majority of the speakers, however, were opposed, with several questioning the logic of having a taller commercial building away from the town core. Under the Official Community Plan, a maximum height of four storeys is permitted in the area north of the town centre.
They also worried about the precedent it might set for other developers wanting taller buildings on 56th Street.
"Tall buildings with no setback are not a welcoming, friendly entrance to anywhere, let alone a rural residential community like Tsawwassen. If we must have six-storey buildings at all, let them please be limited to the town centre," said Kent Warmington.
Others expressed concerns about traffic and that the development is a departure from the community plan, which they said should be respected.
Stating the development has a number of commendable aspects, Coun. Sylvia Bishop said she could not support the increased height.
"If we don't abide by area plans, especially one as fresh as the TAP (Tsawwassen Area Plan), then why do we spend staff time and resources, invite the public to participate and then not listen and follow what becomes the final area plan and result?"
She said while she accepts that land owners have the right to ask for amendments, she would like to see developers look more closely at the plan and submit applications accordingly.
"The Tsawwassen Area Plan and the residents who live there were pretty clear about what was envisioned for the area. Six storeys outside the town centre is not what is contemplated and for this reason I cannot support this application."
Coun. Bruce McDonald said that he does not consider the height amendment to be a particularly onerous one to the area.
"I cannot believe that that dramatically impacts on the neighbourhood."
Coun. Robert Campbell said that making a statement restricting building heights outside the town core to four storeys was the biggest mistake made in the area plan process.
He said the development makes a strong statement and brings the street at the entrance to the community to a more livable perspective.
"Rejecting it would do a tremendous disservice to the community."
The owner has also applied for a development variance permit for the neighbouring Coast Tsawwassen Inn to build a service bridge between the hotel and the proposed seniors' congregate housing building.
The seniors' building includes a communal dining area and kitchen, social and recreational areas and would provide residents with meals if desired, as well as laundry services and a range of programs. That facility would require that at least one resident of each unit to be at least 60 years old.
According to Century Group, the site's development includes a number of innovations such as rainwater infiltration, a green roof feature on the office building and urban agriculture features for both the seniors' and townhome residents.
The development also includes an inner courtyard and underground parking.
