Jim Pattison Developments is planning to build a sizable new development in Langley, with 452 new apartments and 134,300 square feet of commercial and office space.
Langley Township council passed first, second, and third readings of a rezoning bylaw of the site on Monday, Feb. 23.
Located on a nine-acre site on the northeast corner of 32 Avenue and 200 Street, the site is in the area designated for a “commercial village” in the Brookswood-Fernridge Neighbourhood Plan. A proposed site map shows multiple buildings, including a Save-On-Foods store – a chain owned by the Jim Pattison Group.
As part of the development, the builder has committed to building a “shell space” for a future rec centre for the neighbourhood.
Councillor Kim Richter asked what a shell space was, and Township staff indicated that it’s a building space, but that final improvements would have to be made by the Township.
“I’m a little leery of that one,” said Richter.
She also wanted to have a public hearing on the major project, but was told that isn’t possible.
Under changes to the B.C. Community Charter meant to speed up housing construction, local governments like Langley Township can’t hold public hearings for development projects that are already in line with the local plans, which this project is.
The developer has proposed a $4.72 million voluntary amenity contribution to the Township, which could be spent on projects like rec centres, libraries, and other community facilities.
The council voted eight to one in favour of the rezoning, with Richter opposed. If the project is approved, it will still have to submit more detailed plans for development permits to be approved.
Brookswood is the next area of the Township slated for development after Willoughby, and a number of housing projects have recently come before the council. Most have been much smaller in scale than this project.