Dear Editor,
Mr. Seguin’s point of view [Trees belong to homeowners, Feb. 20 Letters, Langley Advance] showcases the polarized opinions regarding the ways and means in which Brookswood/Fernridge should or should not be developed.
Large trees do come with significant maintenance issues and costs. But numerous residents live here and put up with maintenance and cost, and are happy to do so. Indeed, it was the trees that drew us to the area in the mid-eighties.
Tall trees do not reflect the image of the area pre-development, they reflect the image of the area, period!
The notion of creating “nice neighbourhood subdivisions like Murrayville and Walnut Grove†is almost laughable. Take a drive up 208th Street into Willoughby, if you have the time and patience, and see what present-day development in Langley looks like.
“Nice†has been replaced with overcrowding, congestion, no parking, and guess what? No trees.
No matter which side of the debate you choose, some facts will apply. Brookswood/Fernridge is unique due to its large stands of coniferous trees. Clear-cutting of the area, even if allowed to regrow, would take generations to replace.
The continued focus on development plans promoting condo, townhouse, and small single-family lots are not in line with “preserving existing character.†That is the real issue not discussed or up front at public open house presentations.
At the open house at Fernridge hall, boards were provided for sticky note comments. I don’t recall a single positive comment on the latest draft land-use plan.
Sadly, we are left with two factions. On one side we have current residents resisting the planned destruction of Brookswood/Fernridge. On the other, we have developers and select landowners looking to cash in.
Brian Cameron, Langley