October 17th, 10:17 am: The Great BC ShakeOut

When I was in elementary school, I remember we had "earthquake dots." These dots were the direction we were supposed to orient ourselves during "drop, cover, and hold on" drills. These drills happened when there was peak knowledge that BC was due for "the big one." I remember a BCTV special from the 1990s on what life would be like during and after "the big one" hits. While these drills might have gone out of fashion, and we don't talk about "the big one" as much, earthquakes are very much a part of life in BC, and we are still due for "the big one."

On October 17th at 10:17 am, thousands of British Columbians, including Langley City staff, will participate in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills.

You can also join in by visiting the ShakeOut website. You can sign up and download resources to help you with your own drill, whether at home or your workplace.

It is also an excellent time to remind people to check the state of their emergency kit and grab-and-go bag. If you don't have an emergency kit and grab-and-go bag, please check out PreparedBC for more information on how to build your own.

When "the big one" hits, will you and your family be ready?

Multi-Phased, Mixed-Use Building Project at Fitness Unlimited Site

Typically, when there is an application for a building project, Langley City Council will vote concurrently on a rezoning bylaw and a development permit. For longer-term, multi-phase projects, Council will consider the rezoning bylaw first and consider development permits separately for each phase of a project. A good example is the multi-phase Langley Lions Housing renewal just south of the Langley Mall.

Zoning addresses the density, height, general layout of buildings and public space on a property, and permitted uses. A development permit addresses the design and details of a building, landscaping, and public or common spaces.

On Monday, Langley City Council gave first and second reading to a rezoning bylaw for a seven-phase building project at 20501 Logan Avenue. This site is home to a fitness club and storage facility. These businesses are owned by a local family (they live on Glover Road), and the same family submitted this rezoning.

The proposed rezoning would allow buildings ranging in height from 6 to 15 storeys. It would enable residential, office, and retail uses. Eastleigh Crescent will be extended through the property as part of the proposed project. The road will be turned over to Langley City.

The following images show the overall plan and concept landscaping plan.

Concept Landscaping Plan for 20501 Logan Avenue. Select the image to enlarge.

Overall Site Plan for 20501 Logan Avenue. Select the image to enlarge.

Langley City is currently developing below-market-priced rental and three-bedroom unit policies. This project will be subject to those policies when Council adopts them.

As I noted, Council will address the details of each phase with development permits going forward. If Council approves the rezoning, Council could consider the development permit for the first phase of this project within a year.

Langley City Trash Talk: Part 2. New Garbage/Organics Collection Fee Lower Than Township and Surrey

Last month, I posted that Langley City's 10-year garbage and organics collection contract is expiring with Emterra at the end of this year. Over the last year, City staff have worked on putting together a request for proposal to the private market for a new garbage and organics collections contract. Langley City received a proposal from Emterra and GFL.

As I previously posted, Council had several questions about the new contract, so Council decided to defer voting on approving a new contract to allow City staff time to address Council's questions.

For people who currently get Langley City garbage and organics collections service, the rate is changing from an annual rate of $271 this year to an annual rate of $309 next year. We had a very good deal with our old contract, and that pricing is not available anymore.

Our new rate is still lower than other South of Fraser municipalities. The following table shows the rates for other South of Fraser municipalities.

Municipality	2024 Annual Rate
Langley City	$309*
Surrey	$337
White Rock	$346
Langley Township	$372

* 2025 Rate

The most significant change you will notice with the new garbage and organics collection service is new City-provided toters. People will get 240-litre toters for detached houses and 120-litre toters for townhouses with Langley City service (most townhouse stratas contract their own service.) People can swap out their toter size between 240 and 120 litres.

Example of Toters

Among Council, there is a desire to move towards an in-housing garbage and organics service as we believe it will provide a better quality of service and help us better control costs. Langley City's current operation centre does not have the space for an in-house service. Langley City recently purchased additional property and is designing a new operation centre. Council asked that it be designed to support an in-house garbage and organics collection service. Our contract with Emterra is for seven years.

Supporting Fraser Highway Oneway Small Businesses Impacted by Fire

On Saturday, the building on the Fraser Highway Oneway in Downtown Langley City, which was the home of the Viva Mexico Restaurant, Olive Physiotherapy, Harmony Animal Training Facility, and several professional services businesses on the building's 2nd floor, burned to this ground. This 1950s-era building had many renovations over the years (some documented and others not), including before robust fire safety design and systems were in place. The relentless efforts of the Langley City and Township firefighters contained this fire to one building in this historic part of our community.

It is unknown at this time what caused the fire.

Water and smoke damage has also impacted other businesses in the area. There has been an outpouring of support for the small businesses impacted by the fire, with people asking how they can help.

The number one thing you can do is continue shopping and eating in Downtown Langley City and encourage your friends to do so as well.

The Downtown Langley Business Associate is working with impacted business owners to provide information on how people in the community can support impacted businesses. Please watch the DLBA's website and social media, which I have linked below, for further information.

Website: https://www.downtownlangley.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discoverdowntownlangley/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downtownlangleybusinessassociation

The Fraser Highway Oneway is the heart of our community. While this fire saddens me, I also feel a strong sense of pride as our community comes together and continues supporting those small businesses.