I’m writing to urge every North Delta resident to get involved in the North Delta Area Plan Review now under way.
The last area plan happened way back in 1994, so it’s long past time we residents had a chance for input.
People can send their views to northdelta@corp.delta.bc.ca or go to www.corp.delta.bc.ca/EN/main/municipal/323/27003/ndap.html to fill out a survey, but only until Aug. 31.
We need affordable alternatives to the huge houses with secondary suites that replace aging North Delta ranchers and bi-levels, but we don’t need more townhouses filling up our neighbourhoods.
One North Delta architect’s idea is to build four compact, detached, ground-oriented homes with no strata fees to replace each aging rancher and bi-level.
If an old house is demolished, the 66-foot lot could be split into two 33-foot lots. On each 33-foot lot, instead of one detached house with a secondary suite, there could be two compact detached homes. The front unit would suit seniors who want to downsize, remain in their own neighbourhood and avoid strata fees. It would have one-and-a-half storeys, low maintenance, and be about 1,000 square feet with a short driveway and courtyard. The back unit would suit first-time buyers including young families. It would have two storeys, be about 1,500 square feet including a basement, have a long driveway and a good-sized back yard.
These compact homes would not have tenants, but they would increase Delta’s tax revenue and keep our neighbourhoods affordable, small scale and family friendly. So many young people are leaving North Delta because there are no affordable home ownership options for those who want a compact detached home. Let’s embrace innovation to renew North Delta visually, demographically and financially.
Kathleen E. Higgins, Delta