Dear Editor,
Council must reconsider its decision to change three bylaws to make the Coulter Berry building feasible.
My wife and I have lived here for 30 years and have been to many Township meetings. It was a long fight here to prevent an industrial park (Starline Windows) being built here instead of Bedford Landing, and I can remember writing the Township and speaking at the meetings, saying an industrial park does not fit in Fort Langley.
We advertise on the highway for tourists to visit Fort Langley (The Birthplace of B.C.). We went to meetings till 11 p.m. on a few occasions, to protect what we and all of Langley residents hold dear to our hearts – a place where people from all over come to spend a day, or just a couple of hours visiting and strolling down the streets of the quaint antique stores, shops, trails, parks and ambiance of what has always been Fort Langley.
I’m all in favour of buildings being built here that adhere to our fought-for heritage guidelines and current by-laws. For council to change bylaws for one developer and ignore the wishes of the majority of Fort Langley and Langley residents is unjust.
Fort Langley is a vibrant, upbeat, people-friendly town. I’m sure there are many residents, friends, and family who know Mr. Woodward’s intentions may be to help us all better Fort Langley, but that is what all of us have been doing since we moved here.
Fort Langley is not in financial distress, as far as I know, and the lack of for-sale and going-out-of-business signs is probably proof of that.
I’m sure this building would be a great addition to Fort Langley if built under our current guidelines and by-laws. I only wish the developer would listen to the wishes of most of the residents here, along with council.
My hat is off to Councillor Bob Long, and David Davis for their vote to back their constituents.
The size of this building, as with the industrial park/glass plant, does not fit in Fort Langley.
Ken Baber, Fort Langley