Monday night was the first meeting of the new Langley City council where we got back into the business of city governance. With a new mayor and council, comes a new process for dealing with rezoning bylaws.
To rezone a parcel of land, four “readings” of a bylaw, plus a public hearing is required. Previously, first and second reading were given at one council meeting. At a subsequent council meeting, a public hearing and third reading was given. After all conditions from the city were met, a final reading would be heard for possible adoption of a rezoning bylaw.
The public hearing and third reading will now happen on two different nights. This will allow for feedback from the public and council to be addressed in more detail before debating the merits of a rezoning at third reading. I think that this is a good move.
There was a public hearing on Monday night about a proposed rezoning of the property located at 5398, 5410, 5448 208 Street to accommodate a 40-unit, four-storey apartment building. Of the 40 units, 8 units will include three bedrooms. This will help provide move affordable housing options for families.
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| Render of proposed apartment building at 5398, 5410, 5448 208 Street. View from 208th Street. Select image to enlarge. |
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| Render of proposed apartment building at 5398, 5410, 5448 208 Street. View from Douglas Crescent. Select image to enlarge. |
There were two residents who spoke at the public hearing, and one resident who submitted a written list of concerns. One concern expressed by the residents was the loss of trees along Douglas Crescent, east of 208th Street. The primary concern regarding the trees is that the people who live in the apartments across the street would lose privacy. They were also concerned that there would be a reduction of on-street parking. Finally, one resident was concerned about the construction period noise and parking for tradespeople.
Staff informed the residents at the public hearing that the trees will need to be removed to accommodate the underground parking. The proponent of the project noted that they will be incorporating new layered trees and shrubs to provide privacy. As far as on-street parking, staff noted that there will be no reduction in on-street parking.
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| Landscaping plan for proposed apartment building at 5398, 5410, 5448 208 Street. Select image to enlarge. |
I asked the proponent of the project to bring their construction parking management plan for the third reading of the rezoning bylaw.
Later in the meeting, council gave final readings and issued development permits for the following projects:
- 4-storey, 48-unit apartment located at 20105, 20109, 20119, 20129 53A Avenue
- 3-storey, 41-unit townhouse project located at 19610, 19618-26, 19630-32, 19638, and 19648-50 55A Avenue
Tomorrow, I’ll be continuing my update on the matters that were addressed last night.
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