At the FHCA meeting on February 22, many questions were asked about the Highcrest application to significantly reduce the commitment to retail space and the resulting neighbourhood center, and replace it with more residential buildings. The letter that was sent to local residents is included below. Many at the meeting asked how they could express their opinion. In the letter below, it is indicated that responses could be sent to the planner, dnip@surrey.ca.
You can also send your thoughts to any and all of the mayor and council at the following email addresses – please cc directors@fhca.ca :
Mayor Linda Hepner: mayor@surrey.ca
Councillor Tom Gill : TSGill@surrey.ca
Councillor Bruce Hayne: BruceHayne@surrey.ca
Councillor Vera LeFranc: Vera.LeFranc@surrey.ca
Councillor Mary Martin: MMartin@surrey.ca
Councillor Mike Starchuck: Mike.Starchuck@surrey.ca
Councillor Barbara Steele: HBSteele@surrey.ca
Councillor Judy Villeneuve: JAVilleneuve@surrey.ca
Councillor Dave Woods: Dave.Woods@surrey.ca
For anyone that wants to write in their opinion, you should begin the letter referencing: Proposed Development at 9933 Barnston Drive East, File 7916-0037-00
You should include your name and address. You should then indicate whether you are in favour or opposed to the proposed development.
Some of the points discussed last night included:
- reduction and close to elimination of a neighbourhood community retail center, from approximately 142,000 square feet to approximately 10,000 square feet
- the replacement of this space with further residential units, providing further stress on our neighbourhood infrastructure, including parking, traffic, school loading – and transit (of which there is currently no service, resulting in even greater concerns on parking and traffic)
- The basis of approval of the entire project in 2008 by Surrey Council was ”While the proposal, if approved, would result in the loss of some employment lands, it has the potential to trigger the development of a neighbourhood village centre with up to 100,000 square feet of commercial space to serve the nearby emerging urban and established suburban neighbourhoods.” With the additional residential load being placed on the East Fraser Heights / Abbey Ridge area as a result of the new LAP, the need for a neighbourhood village is even greater now than in was in 2008. There was concern that the City is considering reversing the basis of approval for the project in the first place, and now that the social costs for the project going ahead have been incurred, the City would be abandoning the social benefits
- Some indicated that they moved to the area on the promise of a retail service being in the area.
- You should also include any aspects of the development that you would find beneficial or raise concerns for you and your family.
