NEWTON — It looks like there may soon be action at the former Surrey Public Market site.
A developer plans to build 36 apartments and 40 townhomes at 6388 King George Blvd.
On Monday, city council gave first and second reading to the project and set the public hearing date for Oct. 24.
The proposed development is for the southern portion of the site, which has sat dormant for years. The Public Market building, constructed in the 1990s, is proposed to be demolished with the existing parking structure to be retained.
If approved, housing would be built on top of the parkade.
Click here to read the application.
The proposal includes both OCP and NCP amendments for multi-family residential use and excludes the provision of any commercial uses.
The application also includes an amendment to the NCP that will adjust the boundaries of the creeks and riparian setback designation, said Surrey’s manager of planning and development, Jean Lamontagne, “to reflect what was approved as part of the 2011 Environmental Review Committee (ERC) approval” He added: “It should be noted that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada was represented on this committee and involved in this approval.”
Reggi Balabanov lives next to the property and wants more details on the elimination of the setbacks. “Both of those raise alarm bells,” said Balabanov, who says she worries about the wildlife on the property.
"In the last month, we have had an eagle hang around for a week, three coopers hawks for over a month, a sharp shinned hawk off and on and a large barred owl every night. We saw a coyote on the creek bank two weeks ago, a possum in the woods, numerous wild rabbits, and numerous jays and woodpeckers. This all speaks to a vibrant community in the area directly between our property and the market building."
Meanwhile, it is anticipated that the northern parcel, 6396 King George Blvd., will become a mixed-use site with stores.