Another Willoughby development has again raised parking issues

A proposed Willoughby townhouse project was sent back to Langley Township staff by a council unsure about its appearance.

“It looks like something institutional from the 1980s,” said Councillor Kim Richter during the April 7 debate on the project.

She also questioned the number of parking stalls for visitors to the 22 unit townhouse project. Two of the units are to have commercial space.

IK Homes plans to develop the townhouses in the 20900 block of 83rd Avenue, between the Athenry Gate development and nearby single-family homes.

Coun. Charlie Fox supported Richter’s call for a second look by staff at the design, noting that the transition between high-density condos and lower-density housing would be critical for the area.

“Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” said Coun. Bob Long, who called the building “interesting looking.”

“Everything doesn’t have to look cookie-cutter,” Long said later in the debate.

Other councillors, like Bev Dornan, suggested they’d rather see the design go to public hearing and see what the community had to say first.

The debate over the parking issues that has been running for months over every new development in Willoughby also came up.

Locals to the east of 208th Street in the area have been raising the issue of a lack of on street parking. Combined with the total lack of bus service in the area – TransLink officials said recently there are no plans for a 208th Street bus service – residents have complained that they need parking for visitors, deliveries, and local contractors and repair services.

Long opposed adjusting parking for each development as it arises.

“If you want to change the parking, we’ve got to change the whole bylaw,” he said.

The council voted five to four to refer the bylaw to staff, who will meet with the developer about the project.