Delta Fresh’s 15-acre cold storage site in East Ladner awaits approvals, but delays and ownership changes put its future in jeopardy.
Delta Fresh Cold Storage Site Still in Limbo
A 15-acre property in East Ladner, once slated for a major agricultural cold storage facility, remains unsold and unfinished, leaving the community wondering if Delta Fresh will ever take off.
Located at 10555 64th Avenue, near the Highway 91 interchange, the site hasn’t been farmed in years. While it’s zoned for agricultural use, it’s not part of the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). The property is now under a court-ordered sale, with any transaction requiring approval from the BC Supreme Court.
City officials describe the site as “an exceptional opportunity” for a cold storage and agri-food processing facility, but significant hurdles remain.
A Project with High Hopes
The Delta Fresh proposal, originally submitted by Earth King Investments Inc. in 2020, was designed to include a single building spanning roughly 293,500 square feet. Council gave the project a third reading in February 2023 after a public hearing, but final approval hinges on meeting multiple engineering, servicing, and regulatory requirements.
These conditions include road dedication, construction of off-site water and drainage systems, and widening 64th Avenue.
Despite the ambitious plan, progress has stalled. A Delta staff report confirms that little to no work has been done to satisfy the conditions needed for final adoption.
Ownership Changes and Amended Plans
The property recently changed hands, with Overland Capital Canada Inc. now listed as the new owner and applicant. The sale this time is part of the court process, and no asking price has been publicly disclosed.
Last July, the Delta council approved amending the zoning to expand permitted land uses. The updated A4 Agricultural Product Management Zone allows storage, processing, and preparation of any agricultural product—not just fruits, vegetables, and dairy. Restrictions remain on cannabis, abattoirs, meat, fish, and on-site food sales.
According to a letter from applicant Reid Duthie, “The facility could benefit a diverse group of farmers and food processors, helping alleviate supply chain challenges in BC’s food system by encouraging local storage and production.”
The applicant also requested a reduction in minimum parking requirements, aiming to make the facility more flexible for future operators.
The Clock Is Ticking
City staff warn that if the project does not meet all final requirements within one year, no further extensions will be granted, and the Delta Fresh file could be cancelled. With ownership changes and delays piling up, the fate of this East Ladner cold storage project hangs in the balance.
For now, the 15-acre property sits in limbo—an undeveloped opportunity that could play a key role in BC’s agri-food system, if only time allows.
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