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Deas Slough float home village goes to public hearing

Delta council hopes hearing will help clear up public confusion about the proposed development
20121southdeltaFloatinghomes
On Aug. 12

An application to build a float homes on Deas Slough was forwarded to a public hearing last week.

On Aug. 12, Delta Council gave first and second readings to a bylaw that would permit the subdivision and construction of 11 single family homes on upland lots and 11 float homes on proposed water lots at 6303 River Road, east of the Massey tunnel.

Coun. Scott Hamilton said he is happy to see the proposal, put forth by Kyan Management Corporation and Grove Crest Stables Ltd., go to public hearing because he feels there is a lot of misinformation in the community about the project.

“There’s a certain amount of confusion associated with how far, for example, the water lot exceeds out onto the slough – essentially what sort of effect it’s going to have on the activities that take place on the slough . . . My understanding is that really there is not going to be the impact that a lot of people are suggesting there will be,” he said.

A staff report said feedback has been received from 73 people, many who are concerned with the potential impact the float homes would have on the navigational and recreational uses of Deas Slough.

Coun. Robert Campbell said he believes rowing activities and events are compatible with the proposal “and that the two can exist together somewhat in harmony.”

Other residents expressed concern over the potential environmental impact of the development on the riparian area (the area linking the water and land).

The staff report states that the upland lots were chosen to mitigate the impact on riparian fish habitats, and that the developer plans to plant riparian vegetation along the foreshore and on an island within Ladner Reach to compensate for the footprint and decks of some of the homes. An environmental report submitted by Envirowest Consultants has been accepted in principle by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The developer must still receive approval for the establishment of the water lots from Port Metro Vancouver.

The public hearing will take place Aug. 27, 7 p.m. at Delta municipal hall.