Moving forward
Metro takes next step to replace concession at Centennial Beach
3
Status update
Council briefed on state of the forest industry
5
Grow Local Fair Earthwise set to host third edition of event
16
Optimist
Big adjustment
From Ladner to Ohio State for lacrosse standout
Delta
Newsstand 50¢
21
Upgrades coming
YOUR SOURCE FOR LOCAL SPORTS, NEWS, WEATHER AND ENTERTAINMENT! WWW.DELTA-OPTIMIST.COM The Voice of Delta since 1922 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2010
See Page 7
Townhouses a possibility along ROW
More than just a movie!
Scenario made possible after committee votes for provision in new area plan SANDOR GYARMATI
PHOTO BY
CHUNG CHOW
Olivia Boikman, 3, follows the moves of Deas Island Dance performers during the pre-movie Block Party at the Tsawwassen Outdoor Movie Night on Saturday. Held at the Town Centre Mall, the event marked the third installment of this year’s series. For more photos see Page 20 and www.delta-optimist.com.
The controversial hydro rightof-way in Tsawwassen could be lined with new townhouses in the coming years. That scenario was made possible after the Tsawwassen Area Plan Committee last week voted in favour a provision in the new area plan which would see areas designated for future townhouse development. They include the length of the hydro corridor, which made headlines a couple of years ago after homeowners fought the B.C. Transmission Corporation’s installation of new higher voltage power lines. Planner Barry Konkin told the committee townhouses is a form of housing that’s lacking in the community, especially for young families wanting to get in on the housing market. “If the land use designation is in place, it’s a map of potential in the community. No one is compelled to develop townhouses. If no one develops, they don’t have to. What this does is if the market begins to support that type of development people can make an application to council to rezone their properties,” he said. Konkin, saying there’s no timeline on the eventual redevelopment, noted the area plan sees the new residential development
moving from the town centre area outwards. Chair Coun. Bruce McDonald said should the area plan receive approval by council, following a public hearing, the regular rezoning process, which includes a public hearing, still applies. “If there were a development proposal that came forward, two years, three years down the road, council of the day would look at that and in the rezoning process they may say 20 units per hectare is acceptable, they may say they want something less than that,” he said. Planning director Tom Leathem said details about the townhousedesignated areas still have to be worked out and feedback still needs to be gathered from neighbours at the public hearing stage on the area plan. Council is to discuss the new area plan next Monday. B.C. Hydro purchased 104 homes on the power line corridor last year in a buy-out program. Planning to re-sell all the houses over a two- to three-year period, Hydro is marketing the homes as Tsawwassen Heights. Spokesperson Susan Danard told the Optimist last week that 42 homes have already sold and another six are under contract. B.C. Hydro estimates the cost of the buy-out will be about $23 million.
AMBIENTE’S END OF SUMMER SALE OFF ALL SUMMER MERCHANDISE
40%
Unit 200-1179 56th Street, Tsawwassen Bayside Village. (604) 948-9315
IN STOCK ONLY
08251226 06128157
BY
sgyarmati@delta-optimist.com