A proposed 60-unit townhouse development on 72nd Avenue underwent a complete exterior re-designed prior to a public hearing for the project at Delta Municipal Hall on Monday.

There was almost unanimous support for the proposal among attendees, with residents saying the increased supply could help bring housing prices down and make the area more affordable.

Raman Gill, a North Delta resident and local clinical counsellor, said she is in favour of the proposal because she is seeing too many of the families she works with moving east to Surrey and Langley.

“There are families that have had to move out of Delta because of the affordability,” Gill said. “Finances and affordability have definitely trickled down to their children and youth.”

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The three-storey tudor-style homes (pictured) will be between 1,285 and 1,850 square feet and have double parking garages. Architect Lance Barnett said he and the developer, 1041952 BC Ltd., went back to the drawing board after criticism of the original plans during first and second reading. At the Jan. 9 council meeting, Mayor Lois Jackson called the development “boring” and “plain.”

“We had previously proposed a more regimented separation to the units and a bit of a different colour scheme,” Barrett said. “We came forward with a complete re-design to the exterior and are now proposing a new tudor-style development.”

Only four councillors and Jackson were in attendance for Monday’s hearing, so none were unable to comment or take questions until the rest of council has a chance to see the updated plans.

Ravinder Sekhon, a director with 1041952 BC Ltd., said the vision for the project has changed considerably because they have downsized from the initially proposed 79 units. He said he doesn’t see traffic issues as a big stumbling block for the project.

“The traffic on 72nd Avenue is a major concern for anyone who travels on that road,” Sekhon said. “But this traffic usually comes from the west side of 112th Street or from Surrey.”

A traffic impact report commissioned by the company found “any projected traffic from this development is not going to alter any traffic patterns on 72nd [Avenue].”

“We feel that this [development] will smooth the traffic flow because it’s removing eight driveways,” Sekhon said, noting there is already a controlled intersection installed nearby.

Council is expected to discuss the revised plans at the Jan. 30 regular council meeting.

Map showing the proposed 60-unit townhouse development on 72nd Avenue. Image credit: Barnett Dembek Architect Inc.