Delta city council rejects 35-storey tower with affordable homes under BC Housing
A years-long proposal of building a 35-storey tower with a mix of residential uses in North Delta was rejected by city council Monday in a 5-2 vote, with only Delta Mayor George Harvie and Councillor Dylan Kruger voting in favour of the project.
Local developer Hari Homes proposed to build a 35-storey tower at 7597 120 Street, right on the edge of Delta on the municipal border with Surrey and where the roadway transitions into Scott Road.
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Development site at the northwest corner of the intersection of 75A Avenue and 120th Street in Delta. (Google Maps)
Development site at the northwest corner of the intersection of 75A Avenue and 120th Street in Delta. (Google Maps)
Designed by Barnett Dembek Architects, the building would have created a total of 335 homes, including a partnership with BC Housing that provided 70 affordable homes for first-time homebuyers and middle-income families and individuals, and 66 units for people with disabilities. The unit mix was proposed as 151 one-bedroom units, 178 two-bedroom units, and six townhouses.
But what would have been the second high-rise building for North Delta became a lightning rod of controversy, with opponents during the heated public hearing expressing their concerns on the perceived lack of affordability and the resulting traffic from the new density.
The project also proposed four underground parking levels with 554 vehicle parking stalls, as well as 885 sq. ft. of commercial space, 2,949 sq. ft. of childcare space, and an outdoor play area of 3,213 sq. ft.
Artistic rendering of 7597 120 Street, Delta. (Barnett Dembek Architects)
In an emailed statement to Daily Hive, Kruger said he was disappointed in the outcome, but was pleased that many in city council acknowledged there is a need to densify Scott Road.
Starting in 2021, this corridor will be served by TransLink’s new RapidBus service, with the fast and frequent bus route operating along Scott Road/120 Street and 72 Avenue from SkyTrain’s Scott Road Station to the Newton Town Centre Bus Exchange.
“To aid in the transition to a green economy, cities need to take the lead when it comes to creating livable, walkable communities. We aren’t going to do this by building more million dollar single detached homes. We need to densify,” said Kruger.
“In Delta, we know that this needs to take place on Scott Road, our busiest transit corridor, a soon to be RapidBus route, in close proximity to shops and services. We build smart density not to increase traffic, but to liberate people from their cars. It’s not just good for the environment, it’s good for people… I remain hopeful that we can work with prospective developers to get to yes on some exciting upcoming projects.”
At the time of writing, a spokesperson for the developer did not comment on the possible alternative for a revised redevelopment proposal for city council’s reconsideration.
Artistic rendering of 7597 120 Street, Delta. (Barnett Dembek Architects)
Location of 7597 120 Street, Delta. (Google Maps Streetview)
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