Thursday, July 29, 2021

Langley City Council calls on Province to Improve Coordination of Pre-Hospital Care

During the recent heat dome event over BC, 719 people suddenly died. The heat dome was a tragedy because these deaths could have been reduced. Some of these deaths were caused by systemic problems with our pre-hospital care system. We’ve known that there have been management issues and chronic underfunding of the BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) ambulance service for decades.

Langley City Fire Rescue Service

Local governments have tried to fill the gap with our Fire Rescue Service First Responders, but there are still challenges with funding and coordination. You can see this in the most recent Langley City Fire Rescue Service call stats, which show medical response calls volumes were all over the map over the last year.

The Auditor General of British Columbia’s report “Access to Emergency Health Services” made the following recommendations:

That the Ministry of Health work with local governments and BCEHS to ensure that BCEHS can implement a coordinated approach to pre-hospital care that results in:

  • Medical oversight, to the extent appropriate, across agencies to ensure that patient care meets acceptable medical standards
  • Data-sharing between agencies to better understand whether patients are getting the right medical interventions at the right time
  • Signed agreements outlining the roles and responsibilities of fire departments, including the level of care provided
  • Confirmation that first responders are being notified of events where they can best contribute to patient care

The Auditor General of British Columbia made these recommendations in 2019, but little changed.

Unfortunately, it took the death of 719 British Columbians, but the provincial government is now taking action, including providing more funding for the ambulance service and “reconstituting the BC Emergency Health Services board.”

The province said little about how it would act on the Auditor General’s recommendations regarding coordination with First Responders and local governments like Langley City.

As a result, Langley City Council passed the following motion from Councillor Gayle Martin.

THAT the Province of BC and BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) immediately allocate the funding to improve ambulance response time; and to improve coordination with fire departments to support consistent application of medical standards, information sharing, an integrated dispatch system, and improvements to patient care as recommended in the Auditor General report.

THAT Minister Dix take concrete actions to treat First Responders as an equal and an integral partner of the pre-hospital care system with adequate support (e.g. training) and resources (e.g. cost recovery) in order to achieve this goal.

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Police and Fire Service Statistics – Overdose Public Health Emergency Burning Hot in Langley City

Superintendent Adrian Marsden, the new Officer in Charge of the Langley RCMP Detachment, presented his first report to Langley City Council on Monday.

He provided an update on crime statistics for our community, as shown.

Select RCMP crime statistics for Langley City. Select chart to enlarge.

One of the largest categories of crime is theft from auto. The good news is that this category of theft has been trending down. Theft from auto is a crime of opportunity. You can help reduce this type of crime by ensuring that you never leave your wallet or cash in your vehicles and anything not bolted down is out of sight.

Council also reviewed the latest Langley City Fire Rescue Service statistics. MESA stands for Medical Emergency Service Alarm, and the fire service codes responses to motor vehicle crashes as MVA.

Total Langley City Fire Rescue Service statistics per quarter. Select chart to enlarge.

When there is a MESA call, the BC Ambulance Service dispatchers determine if the Fire Rescue Service should be called. In Q2 of 2020, they changed their dispatch protocols. Starting in Q4 of 2020, they revised their protocols again. This change is why the MESA/MVA response volumes are all over the place.

Sadly, the overdose public health emergency is still burning hot in Langley City due to the toxic drug supply, as shown in the following graph. For resources on harm reduction and help, please visit: https://www.stopoverdose.gov.bc.ca/

The number of Langley City Fire Rescue Service overdose response calls per quarter. Select chart to enlarge.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Annual Rainbow Flag Raising at Langley City Hall – Acknowledging Two-Spirit Indigenous Identity

For the fourth year in a row, the rainbow flag was raised at Langley City Hall and the Timms Community Centre. The rainbow flag is an international symbol of inclusiveness and diversity and will be flown for one week to coincide with Vancouver Pride week.

Every year, community organizations request the raising of the rainbow flag. In the previous year, groups such as the Friends of Dorthy Youth Group and the LGBTQ Seniors of Langley have requested raising the flag. This year, Katie Pearson, CEO of the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, asked to raise the rainbow flag on behalf of her organization.

On behalf of the Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society, Katie Pearson raised the rainbow flag at Langley City Hall.

Many people in Canada are becoming more aware of the horrors of the residential school system in Canada. The role of this system amounted to “cultural genocide,” as acknowledged in the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

The Canadian colonial system only acknowledged two genders, “woman” and “man,” and a strict system of femininity and masculinity. Any deviation from this strict system was met with severe punishment.

In Coast Salish and other Indigenous Societies, genders and gender performances did not conform to the strict colonial system.

When the Canadian governments forced Indigenous children into the residential school system, they forced them to conform to the colonial two-gendered, “straight” system. As Kaite noted in her speech at the flag-raising, hair was cut, and children were forced into being the colonial ideal of a boy or girl, traumatizing generations of children, families, and communities.

Today, some Indigenous communities use the term Two-Spirit to describe Indigenous people with mixed, ambiguous, or plural genders. Two-Spirit people can have both masculine and feminine attributes.

As noted by Trans Care BC , “Before colonization, Two-Spirit people were included and respected as valued community members, often holding revered roles such as healers, matchmakers, and counsellors, among many others.”

“One of many lasting impacts of colonization on Two-Spirit people, is an increased level of homophobia and transphobia within many Indigenous communities, which can often cause Two-Spirit people to leave their home communities (and subsequently, their families, land, and culture).”

Monday, July 26, 2021

TransLink invests $4.6 million in walking, cycling, and road projects in Langley this year

While most people know that TransLink is responsible for the transit network, many people do not know that the agency is also responsible for regional roads called the major road network. 200th Street is part of the major road network.

TransLink cost-shares with municipalities the operating costs of the major road network based on a per-kilometre, inflation-adjusted funding formula. This year it works out to about $22,000 per lane kilometre or $58.2 million in total.

In addition to funding ongoing operating costs, TransLink also helps pay for capital improvement projects for the major road network and projects that will enhance walking, rolling, and cycling (active transportation.)

The 203rd Street project previously received TransLink funding for its construction.

This year, TransLink is investing $36 million into active transportation projects and $30.8 million in road, bridge, and bus speed projects.

In Langley City, the projects are:

208 Street Cycling Improvement Project - $841,590
The 208 Street bike route currently has a 'gap' between Fraser Highway and 52A Avenue where no bike lanes exist. This project would connect this gap by providing off-street paths and bridge modifications to accommodate a multi-use path over the Nicomekl River near Fraser Highway.

Fraser Highway Upgrades - $447,000
Fraser Highway between 204 Street and 206 Street is a one-way road with high pedestrian traffic. The goal of this project is to make the area more pedestrian-friendly. To do this, diagonal parking on one side of the road will be removed and replaced with parallel parking, sidewalks will be widened, streetlighting will be improved, and new pedestrian amenities and furniture will be installed.

Bus Speed & Reliability Study - $97,000
The purpose of this study is to identify bus network improvements and develop conceptual plans and cost estimates for the recommended improvements along major transit corridors within Langley City.

In the Township of Langley, the projects are:

96 Avenue Connector - $469,000
The project will construct a multi-use path on 96 Avenue from Telegraph Trail to 201 Street linking to the existing multi-use path on Golden Ears Way in Surrey.

96 Avenue Sidewalk Phase 2 - $169,000
Construct new sidewalks on both sides of 96 Ave between Trattle Street and Edal Strett.

Fraser Highway Widening and Intersection Improvements - $2,345,650
The widening project between the 24600 and 25000 blocks of Fraser Highway, including a separated multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists.

Pedestrian Bridge at 56 Avenue and 216 Street - $13,250
Renew the bridge deck.

200 Street Pedestrian Overpass at 68th Avenue - $261,725
Recoating of the structure is required to increase its life span.

Some of these projects are part of multi-year funding agreements with TransLink, such as the $2.3 million 208th Street Cycling Project, which received funding from TransLink in previous years too.

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Crime Prevention Task Group: Download Business Flyer - Territoriality and Defensible Space

Langley City’s Crime Prevention Task Group has released its latest poster on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), focusing on businesses.

To learn more about CPTED principals, please visit Langley City’s website. You can find links to several CPTED educational videos prepared by the Langley RCMP.

Select poster to download.

You can download and print this poster to share at your place of work.

Download Now

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Food Trucks in Langley City Parks

Example of a food truck in Langley City

This summer, you’ll find food trucks at select parks in our community from now until the end of September.

Paired with the alcohol in parks pilot project at McBurney Plaza, select areas in Douglas Park, and the picnic shelters at City Park, it opens up new ways for people to enjoy our parks over the next few months.

You will see food trucks regularly at City Park, Uplands Dog Off-Leash Park, Penzer Park, Linwood Park, and Brydon Park.

I’m excited about this program because it is one more way to bring positive activity to our parks.

For the latest information, including the dates, locations, and names of the food trucks, be sure to check out the City’s Food Truck webpage.

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Langley City Projects: Paving, Pipes, and Bike Lanes

Langley City staff and contractors are always busy working on projects that benefit our community. Langley City council receives monthly updates from staff about these projects.

With the proposed new Official Community Plan completing the public hearing stage, several other significant plans are now being created or updated, including the Transportation Master Plan, Water and Sewer Master Plans, Subdivision and Development Bylaw, and Infrastructure Design Criteria Guide.

Throughout the community, these on-the-ground projects are in progress or just recently finished:

Watermain replacement along 198th Street at 46th Avenue. Source: Langley City
  • New Speed Signs above Speed Reader Boards
  • Watermain Replacement along 198th Street at 46th Avenue
  • New Intersection Control System and Cameras along the Glover Road Corridor
  • Improvements to Electrical System at Douglas Park for Christmas Displays this Winter
  • Pavement Patching along 53rd Avenue and Fraser Highway
  • Repaving of 200th Street from the CP railway to 62nd Avenue
  • New Bleacher installed at Douglas Park and Conder Park
  • Floodplain Trail System Repairs and Repaving
  • New Bylaw Regulation Signs at City Parks
  • Culvert Cleaning and Assessment as Shown Below
  • 208th Causeway Protected Bike Lanes
  • 200th Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement from 49th Avenue to the Nicomekl River Starting in the Next Few Months
Locations of culvert cleaning and assessment for Brydon Creek and Baldi Creek.

Monday, July 19, 2021

Fixed-Position Speed Cameras in Langley City. Most neighbourhoods 50% support except Nicomekl and Alice Brown

Since I’ve been on Langley City Council, one of the common requests I receive is to address speeding. Speeding is a leading cause of fatalities and injuries in BC. For people who are walking, hit by someone driving 30km/h, the person walking has a 90% chance of surviving. At 45km/h, they would have a 50/50 chance of surviving. Over 80km/h, death is inevitable.

Speeding in Langley City

Along 200th Street and 208th Street, people regularly drive around 70km/h. These are streets where people walking cross, including children that need to get to school.

The best way to reduce speeding is to design roads that naturally cause people to slow down. There are many examples of traffic calming now in Langley City. Sometimes enforcement is the only option.

RCMP are expensive and cannot enforce speed limits 24/7. In some jurisdictions, they install clearly marked, fixed-position speed cameras to enforce speed limits where people commonly disregard the limit.

Langley City does not have the authority to install these cameras. Only the province can do that.

Regardless, I ask people to complete a survey answering the questions, “Would you support clearly marked, fixed-position speed cameras to enforce the speed limit along 200th Street and 208th Street within Langley City?”

The following map is based on the people who responded to the survey.

50% of the survey respondents in the Douglas, Blacklock, Simonds, and Uplands neighbourhoods supported the idea of installing fixed-position speed cameras.

Only 25% of the survey respondents in the Nicomekl neighbourhood supported the idea of fixed-position speed cameras. None of the survey respondents in the Alice Brown neighbourhoods supported the idea.

Based on those results, It would seem that 208th Street would be a corridor to test the effectiveness of fixed-position speed cameras at one or two places where high speeds are typical.

As I noted earlier, Langley City has no authority to install fixed-position speed cameras. Still, as the province looks to improve road safety, they will likely look at new approaches to make our streets safer.

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Langley City Council Awards $122,476.29 in Community Grants. Council Applies to Feds, Province, and UBCM for Infrastructure Grants

Earlier this year, Langley City Council awarded $114,076.29 in Community Grants to organizations that positively improve the quality of life for all Langley City residents. Council usually has two grant intake periods throughout the year. On Monday, Council awarded an additional $8,400 in grants to the following organizations.

Recipient Amount
Archway Community Services – Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity $1,000
Boys and Girls Club of Langley $2,000
Ecowaves Community Volunteer Club $500
Langley Arts Council $2,500
Langley Ukulele Association $1,650

In 2021, Council awarded a total of $122,476.29 in community grants.

Council also applied for grants on Monday.

Council authorized City staff to apply to the Canada Community Revitalization Fund to pay for $750,000 of the $1.5 million required to complete phase 4 of the City Park Master Plan.

Phase 4 City Park Field Upgrade Project Outlined in Purple. Select Image to Enlarge.

Council also authorized staff to apply to the BC Active Transportation Grant Program for the 208 St Cycling Improvements Project. TransLink contributed $1.67 million to help fund this $2.22 million project which will fill in the gap of bike lanes between Fraser Highway and 52 A Avenue.

Council authorized staff to apply to the UBCM Local Government Development Approvals Program for a $150,000 grant to cover the cost of creating a Major Storm Overland Flow Path Mapping. This mapping will help speed up development applications while ensuring that developer-provided infrastructure and City-owned infrastructure will handle a 100-year storm event. Given the impacts of climate change, this is critical as these 100-year events are now becoming 10-year events.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

July 12 Council Notes: Townhouse, Apartment, and Mixed-Use Development Proposals

On Monday, Langley City Council gave third reading to update the current Official Community Plan and a rezoning bylaw. If given final reading by Council, the bylaws will enable the development of a 5-storey, 56-unit apartment development at 20179, 20189, & 20199 53A Avenue.

Rendering of the proposed project at 20179, 20189, & 20199 53A Avenue. Select image to enlarge.

Langley City’s Advisory Design Panel made the following recommendations:

  1. Consider enabling resident access to grassed areas on east and south side
  2. Add an outdoor play structure and other programming in the outdoor amenity and BBQ area
  3. Add plantings/screening in outdoor amenity area to improve privacy for adjacent unit patios
  4. Consider adding balcony door canopies for penthouse units
  5. Consider softening lane side of parkade with landscaping at crest of parkade that grows over exposed wall and/or utilize brick/stamped treatment; also ensure any exposed east parkade wall from street side view is treated with brick as well
  6. Add some vertical definition to BBQ area
  7. Increase depth of outdoor amenity patio and ensure privacy of adjacent private patios is maintained
  8. Consider unique, contemporary landscaping types to complement modern architecture
  9. Ensure in-unit storage space as identified is usable for general and bike storage and other uses

The project proponent incorporated all the design panel’s recommendations except for adding the penthouse canopies and softening the lane landscaping. The proponent verified that the roof overhang should provide weather protection. For the lane landscaping, the proponent will paint the wall facing the lane light grey and include architectural reveal lines.

Council held a public hearing for a proposed 15-unit townhouse project at 19665 and 19669 55A Avenue. Council received one email from a person who was opposed to the project.

Rendering of the proposed project at 19665 and 19669 55A Avenue. Select image to enlarge.

Langley City’s Advisory Design Panel made the following recommendations for this project:

  1. Update trellis structures over entries to provide better weather protection
  2. Utilize solid, opaque and longer privacy screens on balconies and roof-top patios
  3. Consider updating patio fencing adjacent to visitor parking spaces
  4. Update design of visitor parking spaces
  5. Use a surface treatment(s) on central driveway to create visual interest and discourage cutting through
  6. Add more visual interest to garage doors
  7. Utilize permeable surfaces wherever possible
  8. Consider access doors to garage from ground floor office/storage space
  9. Ensure clear sightlines maintained from visitor parking spaces to lane
  10. Utilize signage on 55A Avenue to clearly identify where units and their entrances are in complex
  11. Show plantings and programming on roof top patios
  12. Consider adding canopies over second-floor balconies

The project proponent incorporated all the design panel’s recommendations except for adding a new access door from the garage to the office and adding second-floor balcony overhangs.

For the additional garage/office access, the proponent noted that it would “introduce challenges with controlling carbon monoxide.” Langley City staff indicated that people could use the ground floor patios if they wanted complete weather protection.

Council also gave first and second reading to a suite of bylaws which would enable the development of a 6-storey, 144-unit mixed-use building with 9052 sq. feet of ground-level commercial space at 20137 & 20139 Fraser Highway.

Rendering of the proposed project at 20137 & 20139 Fraser Highway. Select image to enlarge.

Staff will schedule a public hearing for this project. I will post most about the project after the public hearing.

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Updates to Proposed New Official Community Plan based on Public Hearing Comments

Langley City Council received a presentation from staff about proposed updates to the draft Official Community Plan (OCP) based on the public input received at its public hearing.

One of the main concerns people raised at the public hearing was allowing townhouses along the 200th Street and 208th Street corridors.

In response, staff noted that “emphasizing townhouse developments along 200 and 208 Streets will help achieve the key goal of removing driveway accesses from these arterial corridors as these projects will be required to construct back lanes for access, as well as providing more housing by frequent transit.”

The other main concern people raised was about a proposed trail connecting Hi-Knoll Park to 200 Street just north of 50th Avenue.

Staff noted that the “path illustrated on page 17 of the Nicomekl River District Neighbourhood Plan is conceptual in its alignment and more detailed design that can address the concerns raised at the public hearing is planned to be done.”

Staff responded to most of the public input received. You can read their responses in “Table 1: Public Hearing Input, Responses and Rationale.

Based on public input received, staff recommended the following adjustments to the OCP for Council to consider at third reading of the OCP:

Amend any and all SkyTrain station references that use names other than “196 Street Station” and “203 Street Station” to refer to the planned SkyTrain stations, located near 196 Street and 203 Street respectively, to use these street based names.

Reword Policy 2.21. to: “Reduce minimum vehicle parking requirements in the Zoning Bylaw to correspond with improved transit service, sustainable modes of transportation, and public parking strategies, and periodically review parking requirements as a part of future Zoning Bylaw updates and in response to SkyTrain being constructed and becoming operational, and in manner that reflects the City of Langley context.”

Reword Policy 2.6. (Update Master Transportation Plan) to: “Update the Master Transportation Plan to align with this Plan and the Regional Transportation Strategy, including protected multi-modal facilities on 200 Street and 208 Street.”

Policy 2.8. (Prioritize Investments) to “Prioritize investments in new and enhanced infrastructure for walking, cycling, and rolling in the core and shoulder areas of the planned SkyTrain stations, and around schools and parks.”

Reword the second sentence of Policy 2.11. (Complete the Sidewalk Network) to: “Efforts should be prioritized in more densely populated areas, around schools and mixed use centres, near transit stops, by parks and public open spaces, and where safety may be compromised.”

Add new Sub-Policy 2.28.4. under Policy 2.28. (Frequent Transit Network) that states: “Transit priority measures.”

Reword Policy 2.28. (Frequent Transit Network) to: “Work with TransLink, senior levels of government, BC Transit, and other partners to build a long-term transit network in accordance with Map 6, including:”

Reword Policy 2.29 (Transit Exchange) to: “Work with TransLink and other partners to advance plans for bus facilities at SkyTrain stations, including relocating the Langley Centre Exchange to the vicinity of the 203 Street SkyTrain Station.”

Reword Sub-Policy 2.32.1. under Policy 2.32 (SkyTrain Stations and Guideway Design) to: “ensure station entrances and surrounding areas are designed to be safe, accessible, easy to use and inviting for SkyTrain users and include innovative art, lighting, landscaping, and public space elements to integrate the station into the urban fabric; and,”

Reword Sub-Policy 2.32.2. under Policy 2.32 (SkyTrain Stations and Guideway Design) to: “ensure the guideway right-of-way corridor is designed to provide a safe, accessible, and comfortable pedestrian experience, and feature innovative lighting, public art, landscaping, and public space elements that integrate the guideway into the urban fabric and streetscapes.”

Add new Sub-Policy 2.28.5. under Policy 2.28. (Frequent Transit Network) that states: “Bus network integration with the planned SkyTrain extension.”

Reword Policy 2.34. (Partner with School District) to: “Partner with School District No. 35 on safe routes for walking cycling, rolling, and taking transit to schools, and explore the development of Safe and Active School Travel Plans.”

Reword Policy 2.35. (Seek Grants) to: “Seek grant opportunities for planning, infrastructure, and communications for walking, cycling, and rolling.”

Reword Policy 3.4. (Universal Design) to: Use principles of universal design when designing parks, trails, and public spaces, and ensure accessibility for all ages and abilities.”

Rename Policy 3.7. (Expand Trail System) to: “Expand and Connect the Trail System” and write it to state: “Expand the trail system, including bike routes and greenways, and connect it to Metro Vancouver regional greenways, TransLink’s Major Bike Network, and the transit system. Consider additional key destinations when updating the Parks, Recreation, & Culture Master Plan.”

Update the Purpose section of the General Environmental Development Permit Guidelines (OCP page 72) by adding “in order to implement the Key Directions and policies of this OCP that aim to fight climate change.” to the end of the paragraph.

The proposed set of updates also includes housekeeping adjustments to the maps contained within the OCP. For the complete list of proposed adjustments, please see “Table 2: Public Hearing Input: Proposed Updates to OCP Bylaw No. 3200.

Council asked staff to incorporate all their proposed updates into the OCP for consideration at third reading. Third reading will likely occur at the July 26th Council meeting.

Monday, July 12, 2021

Crime Prevention Task Group: Download Report Crime Online Poster

You can report certain types of crimes without having to call or visit a Langley RCMP detachment. It gives emergency call-takers and other staff more time for high-priority calls.

Follow the steps:

  1. Go to https://ocre-sielc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/langley/en
  2. Answer the questionnaire and provide as much detail as you can.
  3. Enter your email address and other contact information so the RCMP can follow-up if needed.

Some examples of non-urgent crimes that can be reported online are:

  • Damage/Mischief Under $5000 to Property
  • Damage/Mischief Under $5000 to Vehicle
  • Theft of Bicycle Under $5000
  • Theft Under $5000
  • Theft Under $5000 from Vehicle
  • Lost Property
Select the image to download the poster.

You can download, print and put up the latest crime prevention poster for people to see.

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

June 28 Council Notes: Proposed new Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw. Deployment Project Extensions.

Langley City Council gave first and second reading to a new Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw at its June 28th meeting. This bylaw will apply to redevelopment projects and will replace the 2008 version of the bylaw if approved by Council.

At a very high level, the bylaw and proposed new design criteria manual will specify:

  • Waste management requirements
  • Standards for lot grading
  • Standards and best engineering practices for storm/rainwater management, water distribution, sanitary sewer system, roadway design, landscaping, trail design, streetlight, traffic signal design, and water meters
  • Road cross-sections that accommodate safer, separated infrastructure for walking and cycling, roundabouts, and high-quality streetscapes
  • Storm sewer management requirements that incorporate the impacts of climate change into its design

For more information, please read the draft Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw and Design Criteria Manual.

Langley City staff will seek public, development community, and consulting engineers’ feedback over the next two months. The City will advertise for feedback online and in the local newspaper. After the comment period, staff will review feedback and update the new bylaw and design manual before presenting it to Council for third reading.

Sometimes development projects get delayed. When rezoning or a development permit is required, Council and staff hold off giving final reading of a rezoning bylaw or issuing a development permit until the developer resolves all technical and financial matters.

If matters do not get addressed after some time, the developer must request an extension, or the City will cancel the rezoning/development permit process. This cancellation means the developer must start the whole rezoning and development permit process again.

Developers have asked for extensions for the following three projects:

Council granted extensions for these three projects.

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

June 28 Council Notes: Development Proposals

At its June 28th meeting, Council addressed several development matters.

Council gave first and second reading to a rezoning bylaw for a proposed 15-unit townhouse development located at 19665 and 19669 55A Avenue.

Rendering of proposed project at 19665 & 19669 55A Avenue. Select image to enlarge.

Council also gave first and second reading to a rezoning bylaw and Official Community Plan amendment to accommodate a 6-storey, 113-unit apartment development near Nicomekl Elementary School.

Rendering of proposed project at 20040-20070 53A Avenue and 20041-20071 53 Avenue. Select image to enlarge.

A significant part of this project is a proposed greenway between 200A Street and 53rd Avenue to make walking and cycling more convenient to access transit on 200th Street, the school, and the Nicomekl Trail System.

Location of proposed greenway. Select image to enlarge.

While the proposed apartment is not consistent with the current Official Community Plan, it will be in the new proposed Official Community Plan.

Langley City will schedule a public hearing for these two projects. I’ll post more about these projects after the public hearing.

Council gave third reading to a rezoning bylaw and amendment to the current Official Community to accommodate a 6-storey, 98-unit apartment with 4,200 sq. ft. of ground-level commercial space.

Rendering of proposed project at 20059 Fraser Highway. Select image to enlarge.

You can read more about this proposal in my May 12th and June 21st blog posts.

Monday, July 5, 2021

Proposed project at Surrey border could result in removal of 87 Trees. Langley City concerned.

The Surrey/Langley City border is parkland and public open space from 54th Avenue to 48th Avenue. There is private land between 46th Avenue and 48th Avenue which is forested.

Hi-Knoll Park in Surrey.

Many people in the area value the ecological services that this forest provides. Unfortunately, this area is zoned rural regionally. It is not a protected area.

The property owner of this forest has applied to the City of Surrey to develop one single-family estate home. Surrey City Council has given first and second reading to rezone the property to enable the development.

There are currently 229 trees on the site. The property owner will be allowed to remove 87 trees, but must replace 51 of the trees.

Tree removal and replacement plan for Application No.: 7916-0300-00. Select image to enlarge.

Langley City is concerned about the project and is not providing road, water, or sewer service to facilitate the development of the property.

The project will have road access via 196th Street, which sits 50% in Surrey.

Langley City is concerned about the project as:

  1. The only road access for the four proposed new lots* is derived from 196 Street and thus any traffic accessing the property would be required to travel through the City of Langley on 46 Avenue. The City of Langley does not support the creation of new parcels outside its boundaries that rely on City roads for access.
  2. The proposed northward extension of 196 Street in this area is not consistent with the City of Langley’s Master Transportation Plan (and Official Community Plan Road Network Map) and is not supported.
  3. Construction of the proposed 196 Street road extension would negatively impact adjacent City residents through land clearing, earth moving and truck traffic.
  4. The proposed subdivision would create four separate parcels* outside of the Agricultural Land Reserve, potentially encouraging further development applications on these isolated and unserviced boundary lots. Notwithstanding the current “Rural” land use designation, the City of Langley believes that the creation of these parcels will increase the likelihood of future applications for urban development and the attendant requests for urban services.

Surrey will require the property owner to also “secure approvals from Langley Township and an offsite ROW for the 196 Street road drainage” before development can proceed.

As a Langley City resident, there are two ways to express your opinion on this proposed project.

You can contact Surrey City Council and submit feedback as part of the public hearing process. You can cite “Application No.: 7916-0300-00.”

You can also write to Township of Langley Council about the “offsite ROW for the 196 Street road drainage” to enable the project.

As Langley City, our options are limited.

*Since the City expressed its concerns, the development proposal is now a one-lot project.