Delta Can Do Better: Standing Against a Broken Process
When it comes to this proposal in Tsawwassen Town Center—we are all needed again. Make no mistake and please understand, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. The people of Delta spoke once and said no. Now there is a revised plan and I believe I speak for a large number of people when I say this revision not only misses the mark but brings into question what kind of conversation we are having.
In the letter attached to the revised application, it is said that those who oppose towers “fear” the height of the buildings. It rejects the notion that our beloved Town Centre has any character or charm at all. It ends by framing the rejection of the last proposal as one made by our Mayor and Council, not out of duty to their constituents, but instead out of fear. It concludes by asking Council to ignore current “skewed age demographics” and to make way for “a new generation.”
I don’t think I have to spend much time telling you all how much I disagree with this assessment of our Town Centre. I don’t believe anyone fears anything here. In fact, I believe we are a shining example of everyday people fulfilling their duty to protect and nourish this God-given land for many future generations to come.
The most important step you can take toward this end is to speak up. It is imperative that we email our elected officials and tell them what you think.
Furthermore, on Saturday there will be a gathering of residents on 56th and 12th St. from 10 AM to 12 PM, intended to raise awareness of the revised proposal and bring more people into this conversation. I will be there and hope to see you there too.
Now over the last week, I’ve had the opportunity to have many conversations with fellow residents all over Delta. I must remind you, it is not just Tsawwassen Town Centre that has had major development applications that seem to go against the very fiber of our communities. Across Tsawwassen, North Delta, and Ladner, we have those who have taken up the mantle and poured their time and energy into trying to right the course their neighbourhoods are heading. I am not trying to beat a dead horse, but it is important to understand how we got here. Though in this regard there is much to discuss, the immediate genesis of our problems traces back to the (new) Official Community Plan that was thrust upon our city with ZERO real discussion. I say “real discussion” because taking feedback, making poster boards, and then unanimously passing it without a single tangible change based on that feedback spits in the face of the whole process and our dignity as concerned residents. Now we have this OCP that does not truly represent the communities it intends to speak for. It is no surprise that we now find ourselves at odds with developers, because we were all set up to fail from the outset.
There is so much that needs to be said, so much reflection we as a community must do to understand how we ended up in this position. So much responsibility that we must bear for letting it get this far. But right now? we have to send in our letters and hit the streets.
As I walk through the Southlands, as I do on my daily walks, I see a shared vision—and honestly one of the most beautiful places on earth. I don’t want Century Group or Sean to give up on our town centre. Instead, I hope he will work with his fellow neighbours and build something we can all be proud of. A place we can take our out of town visitors, and show them around—a place we can all love and cherish. A place that celebrates the charm and character that you can only find here.
I hope you’ve all been doing well, and I’m looking forward to what comes next.
Alex Fischer
P.s.
Here are details on how to reach out to our elected officials:
PLEASE remember the following ...
Reference "LU009754 / Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall" and state you request they REJECT the proposal and state your concerns (ie. height, density, traffic, infrastructure, etc.)
Include all the following email addresses - (you should be able to cut and paste to your "TO" box for simplicity):
mayorharvie@delta.ca; rbinder@delta.ca; dboisvert@delta.ca; jdosanjh@delta.ca; aguichon@delta.ca; jjohal@delta.ca; dkruger@delta.ca; mayor-council@delta.ca; development@delta.ca; cityclerk@delta.ca; citymanager@delta.ca
Include your full name and complete mailing address for it to be officially considered. If you are writing the email with a spouse, partner, friend, etc., include all names (and addresses) OR send it from individual email accounts for more impact.
--Thank you Mark Schoeffel for the above write up