Urbanizing east Grandview criticized
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Updated: August 20, 2009 3:37 PM
Surrey council has approved moving ahead on a Neighbourhood Concept Plan to urbanize east Grandview Heights.
And while a city report indicates the majority of residents in the area support the move – which jumps the area up the normal west-to-east development queue – one councillor says the thumbs-up is simply more proof the current council has “no capacity at all” to say no.
“Surrey is just happily saying, ‘more and more and more,’” said Coun. Bob Bose, who cast the only dissenting vote on the proposal July 27.
“They don’t know how to say no.”
The area at issue is the most easterly suburban/agriculture neighbourhood of Grandview Heights, encompassing 92 properties on approximately 200 hectares. It is bounded by 176 Street to the west, 20 Avenue to the south, 184 Street to the east and the northern ALR border.
According to a city report, owners of 70 of the properties representing 75.7 per cent of the land in question support preparation of an NCP. They first petitioned council to begin the process in 2005.
Of the remaining 22 property owners, six are neutral on the issue, 12 have not been contacted and four are opposed.
The report notes the plan will be for “a complete, compact and walkable neighbourhood” that takes advantage of the area’s natural features. Transit service, however, cannot be expected in the area in the near future, it states. As well, proponents would be responsible for costs of design, construction and maintenance of aspects including sewer, water, drainage and transportation facilities.
Bose believes more people would voice opposition to this and other proposals given the chance. Too often such developments forge ahead largely unchecked until it’s too late, he said, adding the general public is, by default, left out of the loop.
“The reality of it is (the planning process is) extremely restrictive and in no way would be seen in any fair manner to involve a broad public perspective,” said Bose.
Bose believes the larger community should be concerned.
“The only landscape that will be left when this council and its predecessors are finished will be ALR lands.
“We are simply gobbling up all that remains of our rural landscape, that’s what’s at stake here.”
Other councillors, as well as property owners in east Grandview Heights, could not be reached for comment.
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