This morning on CBC Radio during the “Early Edtion” hosted by Rick
Cluff, an offer to purchase the Southlands for 205 million dollars was
announced by Peter Cummings, Director of the BC Ecological Agricultural
Trust Society or BCEATS.

The announcement came in the wake of a contentious public hearing to
put the 538 acre parcel of farmland back in the Agricultural Land
Reserve. Opponents of the plan would see that the old Spetifore farm be
rezoned to allow a residential development plan put forth by the current
owner Century Industries. A plan that would see 1900 homes built on 1/3
of the property.

In a surprise move by Delta’s Mayor Lois Jackson the hearing was
temporarily adjourned to convene what she called, “a Mayor’s Summit”
that would put the stakeholders together with community group
representatives to see if there is any way to resolve the issue. The
Mayor may have lost her opportunity to be ‘peacemaker’ as this offer has
the ability to change the entire playing field.

According to a letter to Sean Hodgins of the Century Group if he were
to accept the offer he would receive 5 million dollars in cash and an
additional 200 million dollars in the form of a tax credit through
Environment Canada’s Ecological Gifts Program.

The plan put forth by the society would see the best farmland used
for organic farming, 10 acres for a non-polluting processing plant, and
the remainder protected for wildlife habitat in the form of a natural
reserve for locals and tourists.

Hodgins has 30 days to respond to the offer. An offer that perhaps
has the ability to finally bring peace to Tsawwassen once and for all.

Click here to read BC EATS offer letter to the Southlands’ owner

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