The planter-trimmed windows of new tudor-style townhouses may soon peer across 72nd Avenue and mark the entrance into North Delta.
On Feb. 6, Delta council voted unanimously to move the redesigned three-storey development another step closer to breaking ground.
The homes will be between 1,285 and 1,850 square feet, have double parking garages and will effectively replace eight driveways in the 11100 block of 72 Avenue.
Coun. Heather King said she likes that the driveways will be removed, imagining that this could smooth traffic issues in the area.
Council seemed to enjoy architect Lance Barnett’s new design. Mayor Lois Jackson had called the initial design “boring” and “plain,” prompting a makeover to the exterior of the development.
“We had previously proposed a more regimented separation to the units and a bit of a different colour scheme,” Barrett told the Reporter. “We came forward with a complete re-design to the exterior and are now proposing a new tudor-style development.”
“They’ve come to the board with just about everything we’ve asked of them,” said Coun. Robert Campbell.
Jackson praised the development at Monday’s council meeting as a way to help keep housing costs down and ensure some of the community’s younger residents can stay in North Delta.
“I think it will assist some of the future residents in this area,” she said.
Jackson also suggested perhaps adding some native firs and cedars to the area instead of simple ornamental trees.
Now that the townhouse project has been sent to third reading, the developer’s next step involves fulfilling a list of largely standard conditions from Delta’s planning department before seeking final approval from council, including answering any questions that council may have and gauging, for example, the feasibility of adding firs and cedars as Jackson suggested.
The Cougar Creek Streamkeepers were also pleased with the efforts of the architect and developer, and their opinion improved the “green score” for the project.
- with files from Owen Munro
(Below) Updated architectural rendering of the proposed 60-unit townhouse development on 72nd Avenue. Image Credit: Barnett Dembek Architect inc.
