Century Industries has applied to amend the Official Community Plan to allow construction of 950 homes, and commercial development on the Southlands, and for rezoning to build Phase 1 including 450 homes. Century is holding Public Information Meetings on May 12th from 11 am to 3 pm, and on May 15th from 4 pm to 8 pm at the South Delta Recreation Centre.
The 531 acre Southlands property is an area of prime agricultural land which has been farmed successfully and profitably for decades. Farmland is vital to maintaining our ability to feed ourselves and generations to come.
DO WE WANT THIS FARMLAND DEVELOPED?
NO!!!
BUT WE NEED TO ACT NOW!
The Southlands is under threat.
After a long period of community consultation during the past two years, including a professional survey, the new Tsawwassen Area Plan was approved by Council, and maintains the Southlands designation as Agricultural. Century Industries has now submitted an application to change the OCP designation of the Southlands from Agriculture to a variety of designations that would permit commercial and residential development, including 950 homes, and a rezoning to allow Phase 1 construction.
If Council decides to approve the OCP changes that Century desires we would lose the agricultural jewel in our midst for residential and commercial development.
How could this happen?
Mayor & Council have decided to process the Century application despite their recent decision to maintain the OCP Agricultural designation of the Southlands.
Changes to the OCP will require a public hearing, BUT
The Public Information Meetings will be held prior to the Public Hearing to collect public input about the Century application. Please attend these and also record your opposition in writing or email. Council is keeping a record of all responses.
Letter from Artist Robert Bateman
Robert Bateman
Box 115, Fulford Harbour P.O.
Salt Spring Island B.C.,
Canada, V8K 2P2
axboshkung@saltspring.com
April 27, 2012
Delta Council,
Delta Municipal Hall,
4500 Clarence Taylor Cr.,
Delta, BC, V4K3E2
Dear Sirs:
I have long been concerned about the loss of farmland and wildlife habitat in British Columbia, so the proposal to construct 950 homes on the Southlands in Tsawwassen raises important issues.
Boundary Bay is a focal point for the migration of many thousands of birds through the Pacific Flyway. There are also many resident species, including eagles, herons, harriers, ducks, voles, and frogs which form part of the interdependent ecosystem.
Should this valuable farmland and ecosystem be terminally affected by changes brought about through the deposit of huge quantities of imported earth fill, the disturbance of the water table, and the widespread work needed to install an infrastructure to serve this large development proposal, it would be in my opinion a shortsighted and misguided act.
The amount of farmland in South Delta that has been lost to the construction of the South Fraser Perimeter Road is very considerable. There appears to be a prospect that much more farmland in this area will be lost to industry. Many species of bird rely on this farmland for their survival. The annual arrival of many thousands of snow geese, and the resident Trumpeter Swans are examples of birds that feed on the residual rhizomes in the fields. This is very important from a continent-wide perspective.
Imagine how important setting aside Stanley Park has been for succeeding generations. Future generations will thank us for our foresight in protecting this irreplaceable natural asset.
Therefore I wish to add my views that the proposal to develop housing on the Southlands should be opposed by Delta Council.
Sincerely,
Robert Bateman