Tsawwassen Area Plan Survey Shouldn't Mention Southlands

Editor:

Every Tsawwassen resident received a survey in the mail last week and people are now trying to figure out what it all means. As some of you know, I am active in the community and cherish what we have here. Here is my two cents worth:

Despite Councilor Bruce McDonald publicly assuring everyone that there would be no survey - as there is no development proposal, despite not being able to mention the Southlands (development) elephant in the room for much of the TAP committee meetings and despite not having a good structured debate on the development, this week we all received a survey to ask our opinion of the development proposal that does not actually exist. What a joke!

Personally, I do not call 'limited development' developing 50% of the land. This is yet another example of trying to skew a survey by the usual pro-development suspects (literally). What happened to asking us if 10% is OK? The question this survey is really asking is:

"Do you want the Century Group to pave the Southlands and build 1,900 homes on the land?"

Our council should not even be asking us this question without a concrete development proposal that has been properly discussed. This survey, if returned in the affirmative could be used as justification to change the OCP, and in subsequent submissions to Metro Vancouver to re-designate the land from 'Green Zone'. Be very careful what power you entrust with this group of councilors.

Why the rush? It is my opinion that they are trying to 'Beat the Buzzer' and get a change to the Official Community Plan prior to adoption of the Metro Vision 2040 plan. For those of you unaware, once Metro adopts its’ new policies the land will be very difficult to re-zone. Interestingly, despite certain public protest otherwise, Council and the planning department were briefed by Metro on their plans - prior to the start of the TAP process.

This travesty has cost Delta enough; it is time for the small town Councilors McDonald and King to put their pet project aside. Please vote for NO DEVELOPMENT.



Bruce Velestuk,
Tsawwassen resident

NOT a contributor to any municipal election campaign.
NOT a usual suspect.
PRO - planned growth and densification
PRO - maintaining a livable community
PRO - not messing up the best community in the Lower Mainland.