Editor: I am a resident of Willoughby and a parent to two children who live and play in this neighbourhood which is being considered for development.
During the 2010 council meetings on this topic, there was strong, fierce and widespread opposition to this development for a wide variety of reasons — here are just a few, from my point of view.
1. This is not a case of NIMBY-ism (Not In My Back Yard syndrome). Development is important to a community — however, it must be done with forethought and a strong focus on the big picture. Inserting a multi-storey building in this neighbourhood is in complete contradiction to the original community plan and makes no common sense whatsoever.
This was zoned for single family housing, and now the plan is to put in multi-family housing, in addition to 475 condos? When homeowners in this neighourhood were considering spending $500,000 to $700,000 on a home — without a doubt the biggest financial investment any of us will make — we all did our homework and made this investment based on information provided to us by the Township.
2. There are no schools for any kids living in this development to attend. Despite the letter provided by the Langley School District’s secretary-treasurer with an estimation of student numbers, it is abundantly clear that there has been very little consultation or collaboration with the Langley School District on the school plan the developers have proposed.
When I attended the open house earlier this year, I spoke with the developer about concerns regarding schools. Being intimately acquainted with school district planning, I was able to push him on some of his statements. It came to light that they were working on two-year-old information regarding schools.
I also call into question the estimated student numbers for this development. I wonder if the calculations that they used to determine future students were the same used when they estimated that R.C. Garnett Elementary would top out at 350 students?
If you follow the local media, you’ll know that this school was at 700 students (twice its capacity until they displaced two grades two catchments away, to another school). Nonetheless, Langley Meadows elementary is full, as is R.E. Mountain Secondary, and there is no more capital money to build any other schools. Why would the Township approve such a massive development in a location where there is nowhere for the kids to go to school?
3. A development of this nature will completely change the complexities of our neighbourhood. I lived in the West End of Vancouver for 11 years — I understand what rental and high density living creates.
Already, we have an exorbitant amount of litter around R.C. Garnett Elementary (which is right up the block from this development). This garbage is generated by Township-approved activities on our school grounds. The state of our kids’ playground is a disgrace after soccer nights and baseball season. Yet it is our children who pick up the Township’s garbage off the field.
Moreover, we have a problem with graffiti, vandalism and disorderly conduct in this family neighbourhood and at our school — a problem that will only be further exacerbated by council’s approval of this development.
How much more stress on infrastructure and services do you think this neighbourhood can take?
I have grave concerns over the direction of the Township’s planning of what started out to be a wonderful community. I am fearful that councillors are all running ahead looking down at your feet — who is looking forward to see where all this is taking us?
Is this truly what they want for our community, our families, and our children?
I ask members of Langley Township council to vote down this proposed rezoning and development.
Lorraine Baldwin,
Langley
