Few bucks to the mayors campaigne fund should get this passed
Controversial development plan goes to public hearing
Housing project on rural land expected to meet stiff opposition at meeting tonight
Darah Hansen
Vancouver Sun
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
MISSION - Environmentalists, farmland advocates and an archeologist are expected to help pack the Best Western Lodge tonight to have their say on a controversial development that would see more than 1,600 new homes built in a mostly rural neighbourhood over the next 20 years.
The public hearing marks the second time residents in and around Mission have been asked for their opinion on the Silverdale residential neighbourhood.
In 2003, a similar hearing lasted eight nights before council gave the project a yellow light, rezoning the land in question to "urban reserve" until environmental studies, among other things, were completed.
This time, developers Genstar and Madison Development Corp. are asking council to take the final step and amend both the zoning and the Official Community Plan to allow for the construction of 1,650 single-family homes and condominium units on about 500 acres, according to Dennis Clark of the District of Mission.
The developers are also seeking to solidify an agreement with the district that would pave the way for future residential construction on the remainder of their land holdings over the next 20 years. In return, the district would receive about $17 million in public amenities, including park space and improvements to existing sports fields.
Tracy Lyster, an area resident and spokeswoman for the group Citizens Against Urban Sprawl Society, said she will be attending the public hearing, as she did in 2003, to oppose the project.
Lyster said the area in question is home to varied wildlife, and includes several salmon-spawning streams.
She argues that Mission council is better off densifying its downtown core rather than building up neighbourhoods kilometres away and encouraging more drivers on already congested roads. "This is out in the middle of nowhere."
Archeologist Gordon Mohs said he, too, hopes to attend the hearing. He wants assurances that there will be monitoring of the development site to ensure important artifacts from ancient aboriginal communities are not damaged or destroyed.
Mission Coun. Terry Gidda said council will hear from residents before deciding whether to give the proposal third reading.
The public hearing is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. today at the Best Western Mission City Lodge in Mission.
dahansen@vancouversun.com© The Vancouver Sun 2008
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