A controversial build has some Langford residents voicing their concerns.

Nearby residents polled by the B次元官网网址 Gazette were mixed in their reactions to the construction of a parking lot at 2765 Claude Rd.

But whether for or against, most voiced frustration with what they called a lack of transparency and their being left out of the public process.

Matthew Baldwin, the CityB次元官网网址檚 director of planning, said the lot was already zoned for residential use and did not need to be rezoned to build the parking lot, a situation that negated the need for a public hearing. He referred any questions regarding plans for the parking lot to the parks and recreation department.

B次元官网网址淒anbrook Park renovations have been on the books for a number of years,B次元官网网址� said Mike Leskiw, manager of parks and recreation. He said that since plans and budgets for the project went through council B次元官网网址渢hat information was available to the public.B次元官网网址�

Construction began on the parking lot after a City-owned last month to make way for, what the City then said was, an expansion of the park.

Since construction began a small portion of the park has been removed as well as several trees.

Langford Mayor Stewart Young, said B次元官网网址渙ne parking stall lengthB次元官网网址� was removed from the park and some unexpected trees were cut down because they posed a safety risk.

Leskiw confirmed that the parking lot was expanded a little more than originally planned. He also noted that one removed oak tree in particular was rotten to the core. B次元官网网址淚t could have killed someone if it had come down.B次元官网网址�

Young said the row of about 20 stalls closest to the park will have a two-hour parking limit and were intended to be used for park parking. The other roughly 70 to 75 stalls will be designated for long-term parking for use by people working or shopping in the downtown core. There is no plan for overnight parking.

B次元官网网址淭he more free parking you have, the more vibrant your downtown is,B次元官网网址� Young said, adding the lot would solidify the cityB次元官网网址檚 no-pay parking plan for the next 10 to 20 years. B次元官网网址淚 never want to see pay parking in Langford.B次元官网网址�

The next phase of this project will be to pave the parking lot, which will be left as gravel in the meantime. Young hopes to include funding for this and more beautification work to be done along Claude Road in next yearB次元官网网址檚 budget.

The City also hopes the parking lot will open up and help improve sight lines into Danbrook Park, which as previously reported, has undergone some revitalization work after having some problems with illicit activities in the past. Young hopes the parking lot will encourage more people to use the park, which will in turn help decrease crime in the area.

He said money was a factor in the timing of this project, even though there had been previous safety concerns regarding the park. B次元官网网址淲e would have loved to do it 10 years ago.B次元官网网址�

He said the City also had to finish projects on Goldstream Avenue before expanding down side streets.

When asked about rumours involving the parking lot being the future home of a multi-level parkade, Young said B次元官网网址淟angford council is not building a parkade on that lot.B次元官网网址� He said the city could potentially build parkades on all city owned lots, but the density of the core would have to drastically increase first. B次元官网网址淲e would have to see a real need.B次元官网网址�

Young didnB次元官网网址檛 expect to see any Langford parkades in his lifetime and added that to fund such a structure, the City would have to charge for parking. The goal is to have the lot finished in time for the Langford Car Show on Aug. 15. Young said additional parking could be needed for the event, which drew between 7,000 and 10,000 people last year.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com