North Delta Residents Accuse City Of Delta Of Being 'Discriminatory'

At a recent public hearing on January 30, several residents complained that City of Delta council’s policies are discriminatory against North Delta. This complaint is with regards to the City’s proposed zoning bylaw changes. 

 

 

A crowd of people showed up at Municipal Hall, and opposed the new regulations stating that it will impact property values and also fail to address housing affordability.

 

 

To address street parking complaints, the regulations include secondary suites only being permitted on lots at least 15 metres (49 feet) in width. Also, secondary suite parking would not permitted within a front yard but only the side or back, and a one-metre (three-foot) setback from a neighbour’s lot line would be required for parking spaces.

 

 

The community in North Delta believe these regulations are discriminatory as South Delta currently does not practise the same rules. There are however a few residents who are in favour of the regulations, saying they are required to make the area user-friendly and more liveable.

 

 

The council have decided to have a special meeting next on the evening of February 5, at 7pm to discuss the step ahead.

 

Anissa Gill, 21, said she thinks she’s one of the youngest people here and as the “future of Delta” opposes the bylaw. #DeltaZoning pic.twitter.com/telW49vish

— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) January 31, 2018

Shawn Bhatt talking about suites. When his parents immigrated here, they were only able to buy a house because it had a suite. #DeltaZoning pic.twitter.com/UFNTx6cSZQ

— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) January 31, 2018

North Delta realtor Leah Bach is speaking in support of the bylaw. #DeltaZoning

“It’s a trade off and we acknowledge that might have to be had.” pic.twitter.com/yw0l8J53jr

— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) January 31, 2018

Another North Delta realtor, Sukh Brar: “I strongly believe by increasing the minimum lot width to 12m (for subdivision) will provide more affordable homes for North Deltans ... We need to be able to provide affordable single detached homes.” #DeltaZoning

— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) January 31, 2018

North Deltan Gurcharan Minhes is speaking passionately about the issues facing North Delta: secondary suites, the housing cap, difficulties in working with the planning department. Loud clapping when he finished. #DeltaZoning

— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) January 31, 2018

Marcy Sangret: There are differences by zone, but not by community in the bylaw. “The different communities can be looked at differently, but there are fewer differences in the zoning bylaw than in the area plans.” #DeltaZoning

— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) January 31, 2018

North Delta’s Kerry Kunzli, on how the bylaw must necessarily be a compromise. #DeltaZoning pic.twitter.com/ELiePdHEBm

— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) January 31, 2018

“Please don’t create a Trump wall.” Immigrants coming here should be able to afford a house here, one North Deltan said. #DeltaZoning

— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) January 31, 2018

Case and point: the last speaker just said “I strongly strongly strongly oppose oppose oppose the bylaw.” #DeltaZoning

— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) January 31, 2018

Just to reiterate: most people speaking against the bylaw. Key issues are parking, secondary suites and the minimum lot width of 11m for subdividing. Most people speaking are from North Delta. Keywords: affordable housing, renters, parking. #DeltaZoning pic.twitter.com/YbL48mqU6i

— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) January 31, 2018

The mood in the room turned quite tense when he said that. People speaking out “shame, shame.” Mayor sounded pretty serious when she said they would look into it, but also seemed surprised someone at the rec centre would say such a thing. #DeltaZoning

— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) January 31, 2018

One man said ND Rec centre wouldn’t allow them to have a meeting because they opposed the bylaw. They had to go to a facility in Surrey. Mayor asked who they talked to at the rec centre. Don’t have a name. Mayor wants to know who it was so they can look into it. #DeltaZoning

— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) January 31, 2018