A land-use concept plan for South Surrey property, including a portion previously eyed for a truck park, is to be up for public perusal June 28 at the Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club.
Set for 5:30-8 p.m., the public information meeting is “an opportunity to view and comment” on a draft plan and planning principles for the area.
Exactly what kind of development was to be allowed in the area – approximately 245 hectares located south of 16 Avenue near 192 Street, east to Langley Township – became a source of public concern nearly two years ago, after an application to rezone 77 acres abutting the Little Campbell River for a truck park came to light.
Residents were joined by community groups, along with members of neighbouring Langley Township council, voicing concerns, including the potential impact on the river and the Brookswood aquifer.
Concerns were eased somewhat last October, when proponents of the truck park withdrew their application.
But questions remained as to what the future might hold – in particular, if industrialization could still happen there – and efforts to keep the area’s sensitivity top-of-mind continued.
Meetings with stakeholders in the months since led to a draft plan that was approved by Surrey council in early May.
Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club president Bob Donnelly was among stakeholders involved in the process. Other groups represented included the Semiahmoo First Nation, land owners, developers and the Little Campbell Watershed Society.
Donnelly said last month that SFGC is “quite pleased” with what has resulted from the collaboration – which he said includes a commitment to a “unique type of residential development” for the 77-acre site in which 50 per cent of the developable land would be retained as agricultural.
Other positives if the draft is adopted include that industries requiring air-quality permits would not be allowed, Donnelly said. As well, there will be no bridges crossing the river south of 16 Avenue – a move the club “feels will protect the forest on the east side of the river.”
Concern remains, however, around the future of 17 treed acres on the river’s west side.
“We’d hate to see that go,” Donnelly said. “They’re not making these anymore.”
The Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club is located at 1284 184 St.
