Carvolth Plan Update - Transforming a planned business park?

This morning I was getting all depressed about the lack of walkability in Willoughby, when I came across the Carvolth Plan Update on the Township of Langley’s website. With the announcement of the 202nd Street Park and Ride, Golden Ears Bridge completion, and recently adopted high-density development policies, in March of 2010 Township staff started a process that ended with an open house that presented the following three options in November 2010 for Carvolth.

Concept 1, Base Case: This option substantially reflects the existing policies in the Carvolth Plan, with minimal change. Select image to enlarge.

Concept 2, Transit Node: This option takes advantage of the Transit Exchange near 202 Street and 86 Avenue and proposes a transit-oriented urban village in the area. Select image to enlarge.

Concept 3, Gateway-Corridor: This option features gateway and landmark developments at the interchange and pedestrian-oriented uses at key locations along 200 and 201 Streets. Select image to enlarge.

Concept 1: Base Case
The Base Case option reflects the existing policies in the Willoughby Community Plan. While this option retains much of the plan area for employment uses, it maintains a street network made up of very large blocks and assumes internal access and circulation within individual developments.

Concept 2: Transit Node
The Transit Node option takes advantage of the Transit Exchange near 202 Street and 86 Avenue and proposes a transit-oriented urban village in the area. It introduces a significant amount of residential capacity in mixed residential-commercial use and multi-family apartment buildings within walking distance of the Transit Exchange. Additional roads are proposed to accommodate additional traffic anticipated for higher intensity of land uses.

Concept 3: Gateway-Corridor
The Gateway-Corridor option aims to encourage gateway and landmark developments at the interchange and pedestrian-oriented uses at key locations along 200 and 201 Streets, while retaining significant employment capacity for industrial and office uses.

Based on the results of the open house, a new Carvolth area plan was supposed to be presented in January/February of this year for council’s consideration. Interestingly, it appeared that the process went dormant in 2011. I email the friendly staff at the Township this morning and was told that they will have a report to council on a preferred land use option in the first quarter of 2012. I really like option 2 and I’m hoping I won’t end up being depressed again about the lack of walkability in Willoughby.