Century Group president Sean Hodgins will go over details of his scaled-down development vision for the Southlands at a Delta council meeting Monday.
Earlier this summer, Hodgins unveiled a new plan for the controversial Tsawwassen property that includes 950 housing units. The proposal also transfers 80 per cent of the property, more than 400 acres, to Delta, including a large parcel of contiguous agricultural land and a forested area.
In the latest vision, both the density and the footprint of the housing component have been downsized.
A variety of housing types would accommodate young families and those wishing to downsize, Hodgins said at the earlier presentation.
In a brochure on his latest plan, Hodgins, who recently held a public open house, stated, "By creating a future for Southlands that dedicates the vast majority of land for farming, we can move forward with housing options for retirees and new families and the community moves forward from an issue that continues to divide us.
"Preserving land just for agriculture is not enough. As we approach this November's civic election, ask your politicians and political candidates what they plan to do with your land... Securing agricultural lands for public ownership does not, in itself, ensure that the lands will be farmed in the future - nor does it ensure that any farming activity will be compatible with the existing surrounding neighbourhoods."
Hodgins originally pitched a plan that included 1,900 housing units and saw 42 per cent of the land given to Delta for small-scale farming. Land would have also been set aside for green space and a post-secondary campus in a proposal following the concepts of new urbanism and agricultural urbanism.
That plan never got off the ground, but in a surprise move earlier this year, council agreed to request the property be placed back in the ALR. After three nights of a public hearing, it was evident the recommendation was a divisive one.
Those who supported Hodgins complained he was never given a fair chance to present his proposal.
Mayor Lois Jackson then organized a summit that resulted in Hodgins getting the green light to come back with a new proposal for the property that is zoned agricultural but no longer in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
The Southlands requires significant improvements to make it agriculturally viable, according to Hodgins, who said new market housing would pay for the necessary upgrades.
Southlands the Facts remains opposed to development on the property, saying over 2,000 more people and their vehicles would jam local roads, shopping centres and community facilities.
Noting a majority of residents who filled out a mail-in survey this year expressed opposition to development, the group also contends the housing would be jammed against Boundary Bay Regional Park, the most ecologically sensitive part of the community.
"It seems clear that council places greater value on public displays over the collective voice of the majority," stated spokesperson Dana Maslovat when the new plan was unveiled.
"We have tried to present alternative solutions for the Southlands that provide economic benefit to the land owner yet respect the wishes of the community to not use arable farmland to build houses, but they have fallen on deaf ears."
Hodgins, meanwhile, is warning, "Don't be underwhelmed by simplistic answers to complex questions. Please be part of the ongoing discussions for a more thoughtful future for Southlands."
The proposal to be discussed at Monday's meeting hasn't reached the development application stage yet, but it will certainly be one of the hot button issues in this fall's municipal election.
While a community-wide consensus seems unlikely, it remains to be seen whether most residents will view the latest development proposal as an acceptable alternative.
Monday's meeting, expected to draw a big crowd, takes place at municipal hall starting at 7 p.m.
