The Clayton Heights neighbourhood of Surrey is already dealing with parking issues and overcrowded schools, and now, two more big housing projects are moving forward.
A proposal to build more than 300 townhomes and apartments near 188th Street and 72nd Avenue in two phases has gone to third reading at council.
The proposal is to build them in phases, to allow infrastructure to catch up, including the opening of two elementary schools.
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City councillors Brenda Locke and Stephen Pettigrew voted against the projects, with Pettigrew saying it doesn’t make sense to add to the density in Clayton Heights.
“I think we should focus on trying to solve the problems we have and look after those before we add additional problems and burdens,” Pettigrew said. “A huge problem in the city is the school challenge and we can even say we’re in a school crisis right now.”
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Pettigrew says despite new school construction, there are still 335 portables being used at Surrey schools.
He calls it a crisis situation.
Five new schools are being built in Surrey in the next couple of years, and six schools are getting additions.
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