How high or low will Langford go?

The cityB次元官网网址檚 decision to reduce the height of two residential towers proposed for Costin Avenue near Centennial Park does address some, but not all of neighboursB次元官网网址� concerns, says Bernadette Armstrong.

Langford passed a resolution following a public hearing at the regular meeting of council on Jan. 18 to reduce the height of two towers to six storeys from the original 11.

Armstrong said many people spoke against the project because of the impact on the neighbourhood.

B次元官网网址淲e are pleased that Langford at least listened to some of our concerns and IB次元官网网址檓 glad Langford now provides audio of council meetings,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚t adds transparency because when you read the minutes, it doesnB次元官网网址檛 tell you how people voted or what the comments were.B次元官网网址�

Armstrong said many people would prefer four storeys at a maximum, or townhouses consisting of two or three bedrooms instead of the proposed one- and two-bedroom apartments. She believes the three buildings at Happy Valley and Sooke Road recently completed by the proponent, Ironclad Developments, would have been better suited to accommodating 11 storeys.

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Armstrong said she moved to her home on Rodney Road near the proposed project 30 years go because of the larger lots and neighbourhood feel. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 already a lot of traffic noise, especially since the improvements to Leigh Road, and this will add to that. We feel we will be stuck in an area with tall buildings that obstruct our view. IB次元官网网址檇 move tomorrow if I could afford it, but Langford is no longer affordable.B次元官网网址�

Armstrong also points out that she has to pay for sewers in the next year. B次元官网网址淲ho wants to pay $20,000 for sewers to sit in the shadow of a neighbourhood in the shadow of tall buildings? itB次元官网网址檚 very upsetting.B次元官网网址�

She believes similar concerns expressed with a number of projects in the downtown core is a result of Langford not including height restrictions in changes to the Official Community Plan.

B次元官网网址淭he OCP refers to private outdoor space for adjacent properties being respected and that buildings complement type, use and character of adjacent buildings,B次元官网网址� Armstrong said. B次元官网网址淲hen the density changes were made, I wonder where they expected existing residents to go?B次元官网网址�

READ ALSO: Proposal for two six-storey buildings still too tall, says Langford resident

Coun. Denise Blackwell, chair of LangfordB次元官网网址檚 planning and zoning committee said the developer had made a number of different proposals for the property over a long period of time.

B次元官网网址淲hen he came back with 11 and nine storeys I said I donB次元官网网址檛 think that will fly in that neighbourhood,B次元官网网址� Blackwell said. B次元官网网址淧eople shouldnB次元官网网址檛 say we donB次元官网网址檛 listen. We heard from the neighbours and cut it back to six storeys. ItB次元官网网址檚 close to Leigh Road so I donB次元官网网址檛 think traffic will be a problem. ItB次元官网网址檚 appropriate for that neighbourhood.B次元官网网址�

Carlow Road resident Mathieu Blais said the traffic is already bad and he would like to see a crosswalk added at Costin Street, as well as sidewalks on both sides of Carlow and Bray Avenue. B次元官网网址淭he gravel sidewalk near Centennial Park isnB次元官网网址檛 good enough.B次元官网网址�

He also believes two- and three-bedroom units or townhouses would be a better fit for an area with so many children. He wants the developer to include an area on the property for smokers to reduce the number of people smoking on the street.

B次元官网网址淧arking is already almost impossible to find on Carlow,B次元官网网址� Blais added. He wants to ensure thereB次元官网网址檚 sufficient parking and a delivery area for the buildings so vehicles making deliveries donB次元官网网址檛 park on the street or at Spencer School or Centennial Park.