Residents had an opportunity to get more information and provide feedback last week on a revised application to redevelop a non-market housing complex in Ladner.
The well-attended information session at Municipal Hall on Jan. 25 was an opportunity to talk to the applicant behind the Ladner Willows project. A previous application to redevelop the 40-unit low-income housing complex was rejected by council almost two years ago following a heated public hearing.
The Red Door Housing Society recently submitted a new application for the site on Ladner Trunk Road at 55B Street, a proposal that would see 146 units replacing the existing complex.
The proposal for the new five-storey building requires a rezoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment.
The application has the support of BC Housing through the Community Housing Fund.
Prior to the submission of the new application, members of the society made a presentation to council.
Society executive director Bailey Mumford explained that they’ve made several changes to their organization including adding new members to their board with experience in affordable housing, changes in staffing at all levels including new, experienced property managers, as well as streamlining their internal processes to be more responsive.
He said they’ve “embraced a culture of continual improvement.”
The society on its webpage notes, “We look forward to sharing the details of the revised development proposal and the steps we’ve taken as an organization to improve our operations in response to feedback shared by the community.”
A key change from a previous proposal is an increase in the building’s setback, resulting in the loss of four units from what had originally been proposed.
The society notes the redevelopment will “more than triple the number of affordable homes on the site, to 146 units, to accommodate low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities – bringing urgently needed non-market housing to the community.”
The application still has to come to council for consideration to send it to a public hearing.
