Langley Township council has rejected a controversial proposal to redevelop a large Walnut Grove property into six smaller lots.
The vote March 3 was 7-2 against, with only Mayor Jack Froese and Councillor Steve Ferguson supporting the application by Green Grove Homes Ltd. to rezone the one-acre parcel at 204 Street and 93A Avenue into six smaller lots.
The proposal generated considerable opposition from many residents, who said the lot size was too small for an area where most houses are on quarter-acre sites.
In October, more than 100 residents of the area packed Township council chambers at a public hearing on the project and of the 40 people who spoke, all but three were against.
Another 28 written submissions were filed, all but six against the plan. One letter arrived with a 74-name petition against the project.
Opponents argued the smaller lots would erode the character of their community, increase traffic and drive down property values.
“I would be hard pressed to go forward [give the degree of opposition]” Councillor Bev Dornan said Monday.
“I don’t think increased density is always a good thing,” said Councillor Kim Richter.
“It [the project] should be compatible with your next-door neighbours,” Councillor Grant Ward said.
Froese doubted the smaller lots would have the negative impacts predicted by critics, especially on housing values.
“I fail to see that argument,” Froese said.