Editor: Re: “Township council focuses on undeveloped areas”(The Times, Jan. 29).
I submit that Mayor Froese’s notion that in 2014 “there was concern or confusion that focus of development was on the already developed area of Brookswood” is utter nonsense.
He states: “for clarification, the intention is really to focus on the undeveloped areas of Fernridge.”
He indicates the reason for the failed 2014 OCP was this “confusion.”
Well, Mayor Froese, we all know that this is blatantly false. The 2014 OCP maps showed clear delineation between the developed and undeveloped areas.
The initial draft plans included few quarter-acre lots in the undeveloped areas. The bulk of which, incidentally, make up the existing character of the area were pre-existing in the already developed part of Brookswood.
Anything less dense in the 2014 plan was also pre-existing.
A later revision allowed for some density relief surrounding the Sunrise and Reese Lake areas due to landowners advocating for relief to the planners.
Mayor Froese, your 2014 plan failed due to mistrust of the process. You allowed a pro-development group to fund and guide that process. You did not live up to the number one stated goal of “preserving existing character of the area.”
You intended to turn Brookswood/Fernridge into Willoughby South. This new convoluted and redrawn boundary between Brookswood and Fernridge makes no sense and is being used as a means of distraction.
Having lived in the area for 30 years, I’ve never considered Brookswood High School or areas north as “Fernridge.”
I know of no area residents that do. Perhaps the reason you drew only 300 residents to your Public Engagement Open Houses is the fact that no one trusts you care about any said engagement. Half of your council doesn’t agree with any moves forward in Brookswood/Fernridge until the public engagement process is finalized.
With the number of letters written imploring for sound and inclusive decisions to be made, why is it you choose to be exclusive with the development community? You say the focus this time is the undeveloped areas. Guess what? The focus last time was the undeveloped areas.
You blew it last time and you’ll blow it again if you continue with your cloak and dagger methods. You’ll blow it again if your development plans are anything like Willoughby.
You and your council need to stand up and actually advocate for our area, on behalf of what’s right for this area, not solely on behalf of what’s right for the development faction. You’ve shown you know well how to divide our community. How about this time you show some leadership and bring this community together.
B. Cameron,
Langley