Fromt he Vancouver Sun – March 8, 2011

by Sandor Gyarmati

METRO VANCOUVER — There’s yet another twist in the seemingly never-ending debate over the future of the Southlands in Delta.

Mayor Lois Jackson announced Monday that a public hearing that began last week has been put on hold until next month.

Close
to 300 people packed council chambers and the foyer at municipal hall
for what was expected to be the fourth evening of the hearing on the
proposed Tsawwassen Area Plan.

The most controversial element of
the plan recommends Delta apply to the Agricultural Land Commission to
have the 538-acre Southlands placed back in the ALR.

The speakers’
list had only reached 90 after the first three nights of the hearing.
As of Monday, almost 170 had signed up to have their say.

It was clear after the first three days how divisive the Southlands remains for the community.

A
number of speakers talked about the positive attributes of the Century
Group’s housing/farming proposal for the property, while some urged
Delta council to talk with Century president Sean Hodgins about his
plan. Opponents, though, were steadfast in their determination not to
have development on what they say is prime agricultural land.

Jackson
said this week it’s clear there was no community consensus and
described the Southlands issue as the “elephant in the room” for Delta.

Saying even farmers didn’t have one voice on the issue, Jackson
said although there is a long history of controversy, she heard from
many who said they want the community to move forward rather than
revisit the past.

“There are, however, mixed feelings about the
urgency to proceed. Some feel it is high time to put this decision to
rest once and for all and without delay by applying to put the lands in
the ALR,” she said.

“On the other hand, many of you requested time
to allow the community to fully understand the implications of this
proposal and even perhaps to consider alternates. And there we are
again, the elephant in the room.”

Jackson said the message she heard more than any other was the need for further discussion before an ALR application.

“How
do we get there? It was suggested that perhaps we can get there
together. I heard there is willingness by parties to talk to each other.
However, the public hearing forum does not provide for the type of
dialogue that is really needed.”

The mayor said the hearing would be adjourned until April 14.

By then, a report by a newly-formed “mayor’s summit” would be available for input.

The
forum for discussion and debate will include Jackson and one other
councillor, CAO George Harvie, two representatives from Century Group,
two representatives from the community that support the ALR inclusion
application and one representative each from the farming and
environmental communities. The other landowners affected will have an
opportunity to appear before the summit to present their views.

Following
the adjournment of the public hearing Monday, Hodgins told the Optimist
he wasn’t aware of the forum plan but is hopeful something will come of
it.

He said he was also encouraged by the large show of support during the hearing.

“I was very pleasantly surprised and gratified. All I’ve wanted is a chance to find some compromise; maybe this is it,” he said.

As
far as working out a compromise from his 1,900-unit housing plan,
Hodgins noted his proposal could be viewed as a starting point.

Southlands the Facts spokesperson Dana Maslovat also said he was surprised by the move.

“I
guess the hope is the people involved representing certain areas of the
community can come to an agreement and maybe the public will agree to
it. If that happens, I think that would be great,” Maslovat said.

“Given
the polarity of this debate and given the divisiveness of this issue,
I’m a little reluctant to think that may come out of it …I think
finding a compromise may be challenging for sure.”

Michael
Anderson, who spoke against the recommendation last week, was incensed
at the move by council, saying the mayor changed gears when it was clear
the majority of speakers were against the ALR inclusion.

“Once
again it’s council changing the rules in the hearing process. They’re
not liking the score, so they change the rules. That’s OK if you’re the
queen of Delta, but if you’re the mayor of Delta, it’s outrageous,” said
Anderson.

Carole Vignale, who spoke at the hearing urging
dialogue, said she’s disappointed the forum will involve just a group of
individuals rather than a public discussion on ideas.

Former
councillor Doug Massey, who was planning to speak Monday, said he has
doubts the forum will resolve the differences. He also said the
Southlands needs input from a wider range of individuals because it’s
not just a Tsawwassen issue but a regional one as well.

Chris
Herbst, who owns a five-acre property neighbouring the Southlands that
was also included in the ALC proposal, said he’s disappointed he’s not a
member of the new summit despite being a landowner directly impacted.

The
public hearing, which will still have the ALR inclusion as the agenda
item, resumes April 14 at the South Delta Recreation Centre at 7 p.m.