Dear Editor,
Open letter to the Township of Langley mayor and council
Re: no more highrises in the Township of Langley
There are so many reasons not to vary the existing neighbourhood plans to allow buildings higher than 12 storeys.
The increased density increases the cost of the property and homes. An example of this is in the Brentwood Park area of Burnaby. A one bedroom, one bathroom unit of 397 sq. ft. has an asking price of $539,000. A three bedroom, four bathroom unit on the 44th floor with 2,039 sq. ft. has an asking price of $2,890,000. While a 3,441 sq. ft. house with five bedrooms and three bathrooms has an asking price of $2,188,000.
Obviously, the price of apartments are much higher than that of houses in the same area. Building highrises will not lower the price of homes to make them more affordable. Building highrises is more expensive.
Highrises block out the sun and mountain views to everyone except those in the particular apartment that is above other buildings until another tall building comes in front and blocks their view.
The increased density puts a further strain on infrastructure such as parks, recreation centres, and schools.
Density for transportation can be achieved through row houses, townhouses and lower apartment buildings.
Fires in highrises are hard to combat, and it’s hard remove residents quickly and safely.
Please stop developers from proposing more highrises in the Township of Langley.
Dianne Kask, Aldergrove
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• READ MORE: Letter writer suggests it may be time for wage and price controls
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