THE City of Surrey Council on Monday approved the Semiahmoo Town Centre Plan.

The plan, which encompasses 136 hectares (336 acres), is the result of five years of work, engagement, and the involvement of thousands of residents and stakeholders. The result is a contemporary strategy that envisions a compact, sustainable, transit-supportive urban centre.

It fosters a community and cultural hub for South Surrey, while presenting updated land uses, infrastructure, and amenities to support 30 years of focused urban growth.

“It’s no secret that more and more people are choosing to call Surrey their home,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. “That’s why planning for the future is so important. The Semiahmoo Town Centre Plan endorsed by Council is built for now and the future. I want to thank everyone who took the time to help shape the plan that will guide the development of this thriving community in Surrey.”

Key features of the plan include:

• Focusing growth and redevelopment within the existing Semiahmoo Shopping Centre site and along transit-served mixed-use high streets;
• A mixed-use medical node north of Peace Arch Hospital to facilitate the expansion of hospital supportive uses, including clinics, specialist offices, pharmacies, etc.;
• Planned future expansion of RapidBus, which includes four stations proposed along 152 Street and 16 Avenue;

• Four new neighbourhood parks and extension of the Semiahmoo Trail Greenway;
• Incentives to encourage the construction of zero carbon operational building;

• Urban Design Guidelines and a Building Height Strategy;

• New culture amenities including dedicated spaces for performing arts and studios;
• Housing policies to support a range of family supportive housing forms; and,
• New community connections, making it easier to get around with new sidewalks, cycle tracks, local roads, paths and walkways.

Moving forward, all new development in the town centre will be guided by the plan. Residents will continue to have an opportunity to comment on rezoning applications on a project-by-project basis through the development process.

See the Plan at Surrey.ca/Planning.