December 14 Council Meeting: Development matters including a proposed apartment on Eastleigh Crescent

On Monday afternoon, Langley City council addressed two development proposals and their associated enabling bylaws.

Renderings of proposed apartment project at 20689 & 20699 Eastleigh Crescent. Select image to enlarge.

Council gave first and second reading for an Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment and rezoning bylaw to accommodate a 6-storey, 88-unit apartment located along Eastleigh Crescent on a currently vacant site. An OCP update is required because the proposal doesn’t align with the current OCP. However, it will align with the proposed new OCP, designed around building a walkable, bikeable community with SkyTrain.

The City’s Advisory Design Panel reviewed the proposed project and recommended the following additional actions:

• Ensure snow management keeps accessible and other parking spaces clear
• Consider additional fenced parking areas on surface parking level
• Utilize secure fencing materials (discourage chain link fencing)
• Provide access between indoor amenity room to outdoor amenity area
• Ensure parkade area is well-lit
• Add additional benches, seating and garden plots in amenity area
• Utilize reflective roof materials
• Encourage additional installed EV stalls.

The proponent of the project is incorporating the recommendations of the design panel. The proponent noted that six level-2 electric vehicle chargers would be included. All other parking stalls will be roughed-in for future chargers.

Residents along Eastleigh Crescent have told me that the lack of loading zones creates problems such as people illegally parking and parking in other building’s parking lots. Council was told that this proposed apartment project would include a loading zone.

Also of note is that the project will step down towards the back of the site and is a T-shape. This will reduce shading on adjacent buildings. The large trees at the back of the site (though on adjoining property) will also be retained.

The proposed project will include a mix of one- and two-bedroom units.

Council also gave third reading for a rezoning bylaw, and to discharge a land-use contract, to accommodate a 6-storey, 213-unit apartment on the former West Country Hotel site on 56 Avenue/Michaud Crescent. You can read more about this proposal in a previous blog post and post about its public hearing.