The provincial government sent a letter warning 91原创 Township that it needs to designate an area around the future Willowbrook SkyTrain Station for high-density development.

The letter, from Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Rob Fleming, was a pointed reminder and "recommendation" that the Township put the designation in place no later than Oct. 31.

As part of its housing reforms announced last year, the province is having cities and towns designate areas around major transit hubs for high-density housing development. That includes bus terminals, and also the future stations of the Surrey-91原创 SkyTrain extension, which is scheduled to be built by 2028. There are to be two stations in 91原创, one in the Township at 196 Street and Fraser Highway, at the Willowbrook Shopping Centre, and one in the City at Industrial Avenue and 203 Street.

Township Mayor Eric Woodward has been opposed to many of the reforms, arguing that they undermine the ability of the Township to do its own planning and collect development fees, even as this is one of the communities producing large amounts of housing already.

"For the Willowbrook area, the BC NDP are requiring that we designate an area for significant quantity of tower density years before SkyTrain is even projected to be completed," Woodward said. "It is being imposed without a community planning process for schools, parks and other needed amenities to provide for a complete community."

Woodward said that mandating densities will cost taxpayers more in unnecessary land costs by removing the ability for the Township to collect funds via bonus densities.

This is the second time in a week the Township has been told to get moving on approving changes mandated under new provincial regulations. The other was via a letter signed by Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, denying the Township an extension on approving the construction of small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUHs).

There are currently development applications filed with the Township for two sites near the SkyTrain station, proposing the construction of nine highrise towers of between 28 to 44 storeys tall. Applications for the project were received in 2023, but none have come before the Township council for review yet.

One of the changes the provincial government has made to high-density construction near transit hubs is to remove parking requirements. Most communities have parking minimums, in which each unit needs a certain number of parking stalls.

Building parking, especially for a highrise, is a major expense in construction, and adds to the cost of the homes. Municipalities will still be able to require accessible parking areas for people with disabilities, or for commercial uses, but developers will be able to decide whether or not to build them.