Proposed development — image credit: Contributed drawing
The Surrey/Langley/White Rock chapter of the Council of Canadians opposes the Wall property development, a 13.5 acre subdivision on protected farmland from the Agricultural Land Reserve.
Chapter activist Peter Thomson writes, “We are dismayed for three main reasons: First, the Wall property is agricultural land, a resource in short supply in our region and in our province. Locally produced food produces less atmospheric carbon due to reduced transportation. Second, this proposed 13.5 acre subdivision is a major violation of the Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy, previously agreed to by Township council. The growth strategy attempted to create firm urban boundaries, limiting urban sprawl and reducing commuter-fed pollution and atmospheric carbon. …Third, the Agricultural Land Commission gave only conditional approval to this removal from the Agricultural Land Reserve. Downstream flood mitigation as a result of increased urban run-off has not yet been addressed.”
The Langley Times adds, “[Councillor David] Davis and other critics of the proposal have said building a subdivision in the middle of farmland will set a precedent that will encourage developers to build on agricultural land.”
While the Langley Township council approved the development, it still faces several obstacles, “The regional Metro Vancouver authority is appealing a B.C. Supreme Court decision that said the Township had the right to approve the Wall project and a nearby university district, despite Metro opposition. The Agricultural Land Commission … gave conditional approval to the project on condition that ALC concerns about downstream flooding have been addressed. As well, the approval by the Township forbids construction until several conditions are met, including the flooding issue, road improvements and a legally binding commitment has been obtained that guarantees no further residential development of the farm beyond the 67 lots.”
