Editor:
As longtime residents of Tsawwassen, we are once again writing to express our serious concerns regarding Century Group's proposed residential and commercial development on the Southlands.
Decades ago, Century Group speculated on the purchase of farmland for residential and commercial development, with no intention of farming the land.
Over the past 30 years, development of the Southlands has been opposed by a majority of residents in South Delta. Last year Delta council reaffirmed the agricultural designation of the Southlands.
Despite the passage of time and the extraordinary persistence, political lobbying and industrial farming threats of the developer, a majority of residents in South Delta have remained vehemently opposed to any residential and commercial development on the Southlands because it would put enormous pressure on the existing infrastructure, increase traffic and taxes, and have a major ecological impact, destroying the habitat necessary to the survival of resident species of birds and other wildlife.
Despite the community's well articulated resistance, Century Group has engaged in a major marketing effort over the past three years to convince the residents of Tsawwassen the proposed development of the Southlands will be good for the community.
They claim the majority of residents opposed to change are trapped in the past and do not recognize the need for housing for young families and retired seniors. This is not true. There have been many changes in Tsawwassen over the past 10 years, although infrastructure improvements have lagged behind growth and property tax increases.
Over the next 10 years there will be no shortage of affordable housing in South Delta. Developers have purchased most of the remaining farmland in Ladner and adjacent to the Southlands and await the Century Group decision before submitting their own applications for re-designating agricultural land and starting to build.
The container port has increased truck traffic enormously and the highway project being built to accommodate this installation has meant a considerable loss of farmland and wildlife habitat. The TFN commercial development is going forward and will overwhelm transportation and small retail businesses in the community.
The latest in this ongoing speculation saga is Century Group's vague and misleading compromise for the 537 acres of the Southlands. Apparently, 107 acres (20 per cent of the Southlands) will be for neighbourhoods - residences, offices, community buildings, markets and retail stores.
The intention at this stage is to build 950 not quite so affordable residences, of which the majority will be apartments, although we do not know the actual number of apartment condominiums or how many multi-storey apartment buildings are planned. An unknown number of row houses, townhomes and cottages are also planned.
The timeline for completing these new residences and commercial properties is 15 years. The apartments will be built first of course and how much the plan will change over 15 years is unknown.
Century Group has proposed transferring ownership of 430 acres (80 per cent) of the Southlands to the Corporation of Delta. About 50 per cent of the land transferred (215 acres) is expected to remain farmland, with the balance designated for an agricultural college and public parks.
The Corporation of Delta will assume liability for drainage, construction, maintenance and property taxes on these 430 acres and will pass these costs along to local taxpayers. Under this compromise proposal, farmland on the agriculturally designated Southlands will be reduced by 60 per cent.
Century Group has the right to apply for a change of designation of the Southlands from agricultural to commercial/residential. Delta council has the obligation to consider this application with due diligence in a timely and fair manner and come to a decision that has the support of the majority of South Delta residents.
Decline the Century Group application to change the agricultural designation of the Southlands.
S. Carey
