Residents will have a chance to learn more about a highrise development proposed for the White Rock/South Surrey border at a public information meeting next week.
Tuesday’s meeting, hosted by proponents Texor Homes Inc., will provide details about the 15-storey, 134-unit residential development proposed for the corner of North Bluff Road and Nichol Road, 10 blocks west of the town centre.
Though Texor has never built in White Rock before, according to vice-president Howard Steiss, a 15-year resident, the company is aware of resistance faced by other proposed towers in the city.
“I think it’s a tremendous challenge to create housing, especially in a city like White Rock,” Steiss told Peace Arch News Wednesday, noting challenges developers face include preservation of single-family neighbourhoods, trees and views. “That leaves only a few places that could accommodate future housing growth that’s needed to sustain a city.”
The proposal would require rezoning as well as an amendment to the city’s Official Community Plan – currently under review – which designates only White Rock’s town centre as high-density.
Though the location of the proposed development is several blocks from the town centre, and amongst primarily single-family homes, Steiss said its location "makes a lot of sense."
"I think the North Bluff corridor was designated as a corridor for potential density because of the access to public transit," he said, noting this proposal has minimal view impact and few, if any, trees to cut down.
"If we can develop and contribute to housing growth without encroaching on views and trees, I think that's a positive factor."
Steiss noted that the development would provide a wide variety of housing types, including apartments and townhouses, at a range of prices, making the unites "attainable" for more potential buyers.
He also pointed out that his company focuses efforts on sustainable construction practices and plans to bring in dozens of mature trees to replace any that may need to be removed.
Tuesday's meeting takes place at the Centre for Active Living, 1475 Anderson St., from 5:30 to 7 p.m.