Langley Township council has put the brakes on a controversial proposal to redevelop a large Walnut Grove lot into six smaller lots.
On Monday, Oct. 28, council postponed a decision on a developer’s application to rezone the one-acre parcel at 204 Street and 93A Avenue into six smaller lots to accommodate single family homes.
The decision came after more than 100 residents of the area packed Township council chambers at a public hearing on the application one week earlier.
Of the 40 people who spoke, all but three were against the proposal by Green Grove Homes Ltd.
Township staff reported another 28 written submissions were filed, all but six against the plan.
One letter arrived with a 74-name petition against the project.
“I think the neighbourhood spoke very eloquently,” Councillor Kim Richter said.
Councillor Bev Dornan, who was the only member of council not present for the public hearing, has since been inundated with letters and emails against the plan.
She said the many messages have convinced her the current plan packs too many lots into too little space.
Residents argue the smaller lots will erode the character of their community, increase traffic and drive down property values.
Councillor Grant Ward agreed with the residents’ concerns, saying the proposed development was going into a “high-end location” of roomier lots and larger houses.
Most members of council appeared to favour fewer and larger lots for the acreage, with Councillor Charlie Fox saying he would be happier with four lots on the site rather than six.
Township staff have been instructed to open talks with the developer about voluntarily reducing the number of lots.