Langley Township won.
The B.C. Supreme Court has said Metro Vancouver (Greater Vancouver Regional District) does not get to overrule the Township over the Wall development.
Madam Justice Neena Sharma dismissed Metro Vancouver’s petition.
“We are pleased with the outcome of the case, and that the court has clarified the issue of jurisdiction over land use planning in Langley,†said Mayor Jack Froese. “We look forward to productive cooperation with GVRD going forward, to ensure that appropriate planning goals for both the Township and the region are identified and achieved.â€
To accommodate the university’s expansion, lands at 7645 and 7679 Glover Road and 22423 Labonte Avenue have been rezoned to Residential Institution Zone P-3, the same zone that is currently used for the existing TWU campus. The zoning allows for residential and other uses associated with the primary assembly use, such as the creation of facilities for teaching, research, administration, recreation, and housing.
Metro Van lawyer Gregg Cockrill argued that the plans would “blow a big hole in the regional plan†and was an assault on the region’s green zone.
He said the small, densely packed lots amounted to urban development, not in keeping with the vision for the regional context statement signed in 1998.
The project has received conditional approval from the Agricultural Land Commission.
The Township argued it had the legal right to make zoning decisions for the property, which as been earmarked for development for more than two decades. The land sits beside Trinity Western University.
“The decision by the court will allow Trinity to grow and serve the needs of future students and the community as a whole,†Froese said. “Development of a surrounding University District will put the Township on the map as a centre for education and training.â€
- With files from the Vancouver Sun
For more from the Vancouver Sun, click HERE.