Save Our Southlands

Click here to sign an online petition requesting inclusion of the Southlands in the ALR.

A copy of recent correspondence between Tsawwassen resident Peter Nemeth and the Corporation of Delta:

Dear Mayor Jackson & Council,

The current public relations exercise by Century Holdings to promote the re-development of the "Southlands" property, (Formerly known as the Spetifore Lands) will surely be followed by an attempt on their part to re-zone the property from agricultural to a mixed residential/ commercial status.

In light of the fact that the property is currently designated for agriculture within the Tsawwassen Area Plan, I am requesting Delta Council to investigate making an application to the Provincial Government to put the lands back into the Agricultural Land Reserve (A.L.R.). I understand that there is a process for such an application.

There is a constant "chipping away" of our farmland inventory, especially in the light of the proposed port expansion and the associated "Gateway" highway project.  We must conserve as much of our farmable land base as possible. There is no need to place mass housing on top of viable farmland.

By requesting to put the Southlands property back into the A.L.R., Delta Council would send a strong message to current and future real estate developers that our farmlands are off limits to speculation.

Yours truly,
Peter Nemeth

Dear Mr. Nemeth,

Thank you for your correspondence to Mayor Jackson and Council regarding the potential re-development of the Southlands property.  Your letter was referred to me to respond.  You correctly note that the lands are designated as “Agriculture” in the Delta’s Official Community Plan and in the Tsawwassen Area Plan, and you suggest that Council apply to put these lands back into the Provincial Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).

On your suggestion staff has investigated what would be involved in nominating lands for inclusion in the ALR and we will be providing this information to Delta Council for their consideration.  Should Council wish to proceed in this direction, the process would require that Council give public notice and hold a public hearing in advance of making a formal application to the Agricultural Land Commission.  This would provide residents of Tsawwassen and Delta an opportunity to comment on the application before it is made.  Full details on the criteria, process and requirements for including land in the ALR can be found on the Commission’s website:  www.alc.gov.bc.ca.

I thank you for your suggestion and assure you that we will make this information available to Council.

Sincerely,

Environmental & Agricultural Planning Manager

Community Planning & Development Dept.

The Corporation of Delta

4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent

Delta, BC  V4K 3E2