Editor: People have been asking me recently just how fast Willoughby has been growing, so I did some research and this is what I have found out.
I received two charts from Langley Township staff.
The first chart shows the developments given final reading by this current Township council. The second chart shows the developments given third reading or “approval-in-principle.”
Once third reading is given, it is exceedingly rare that a development does not receive approval at final reading.
The current council, in this term from 2012 to 2014, has approved either in principle (third reading) or finally (fourth reading) 5,071 new housing units in Langley Township.
Of these, 4,401 of these new homes (or 86.8 per cent) are located in Willoughby.
In looking at the council voting records for these new Willoughby developments and housing units, here’s how the current council members voted.
Councillor David Davis opposed 65 per cent of the housing units. I voted against 58 per cent (although I was away for the final June 9 council vote on the 511-unit Forewest development).
Councillor Michelle Sparrow opposed 0.5 per cent (22 units) and Councillor Charlie Fox only opposed 0.2 per cent (eight units) of all these new Willoughby housing units.
The remaining council members, including Mayor Jack Froese and Councillors Bev Dornan, Steve Ferguson, Bob Long and Grant Ward voted for each and every new Willoughby development over the last three years.
It is very interesting to note that in the last year alone, 3,053 new Willoughby housing units (or 69 per cent of the total new Willoughby housing units from 2012 to 2014) were approved by the current mayor and majority of council.
In looking at these numbers, I continue to share the concern of Langley Township residents about the increasing school, parking, road congestion, parks, health care and other problems in Langley Township.
Like them, I fear there is more to come.
The densities are just too high and infrastructure is simply not keeping pace with development, nor is it adequately and appropriately funded by new development.
I have been saying this for the last 10 years.
Councillor Kim Richter
