A Langford community group is speaking up about a large parcel of forested land that could be rezoned into a development.

The Citizens of South Langford for Sustainable Development (CSLSD) is asking Langford to work towards the creation of a forested park, integrating both development and natural green space.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not anti-development, we just want to see it developed in a sustainable way,B次元官网网址� said group member Nicole Polet.

The rezoning application would be for the 73-acre parcel of land at 950 Worrall Dr. and 804 Latoria Rd. which is privately owned by the Ridley Brothers Development Corp.

Polet has lived in a home bordering the land for five years, but said many in the CSLSD group have lived in the area for much longer. She said residents in her community currently use the forested area for hikes, workouts and recreation and said she event got married on one of the rock bluffs in there.

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B次元官网网址淭he whole community goes there, itB次元官网网址檚 super valuable,B次元官网网址� Polet said. B次元官网网址淩ight now weB次元官网网址檙e already kind of using it as a park but if itB次元官网网址檚 a designated park more people can use it and enjoy it.B次元官网网址�

Polet also noted that the area is home to a coastal Douglas fir ecosystem, Garry oak meadows and endangered species like the northern pygmy owl and sharp-tailed snake.

Last week, residents bordering the area were notified of the rezoning application that will be put forward to the planning committee on Mon. July 8. Since then, members of the CSLSD have been canvassing the community and looking for support.

Polet said since they began canvassing, several people have spoken up about disappearing green space in Langford. She said she thinks several people will be at MondayB次元官网网址檚 meeting to make their voices heard.

Langford Mayor Stew Young said the entire 73 acres will not go solely towards housing. As per city policy, 25 per cent of the land would be natural green space. The city is also asking for a school B次元官网网址� which Young says is much needed in the area B次元官网网址� and a turf field that the community can use for recreation.

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Additionally, Young said heB次元官网网址檇 like to see a village centre as well so people living in the area have a place to get a coffee or buy some groceries.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e attracting affordable housing and along with that we need them to be able to walk to their school, not drive,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e building a community.B次元官网网址�

Young said the community group is B次元官网网址渁bsolutely rightB次元官网网址� about needing green space, but said back when the subdivision they live in was built, there were no requirements to preserve natural land.

B次元官网网址淲hen [PoletB次元官网网址檚] subdivision was done, there was no school, nothing, they just built it,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not doing that anymore in Langford and thatB次元官网网址檚 what people need to recognize.B次元官网网址�

Young also noted he is getting complaints from Langford residents who are in favour of affordable housing. He said the complainants have pointed out that the individuals asking to keep the land as a park live in homes many canB次元官网网址檛 afford.

Details about the development application have not been released yet, but the notice delivered to residents is proposing up to 400 homes that would be built on the land. The application is still in its very early stages and would need to be considered by LangfordB次元官网网址檚 planning, zoning and affordable housing committee first before going to council. Then, council would decide whether or not to send it to the public hearing stage.

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B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e in an affordable housing crisis and Langford is the only real one thatB次元官网网址檚 actually building single-family homes which 80 per cent of the population in Canada wants,B次元官网网址� Young said. B次元官网网址淚f youB次元官网网址檙e moving to Langford I want you to own an affordable house, have good new schools and have your kids in recreation and education and I want to make sure we have our trails and our green spaceB次元官网网址�itB次元官网网址檚 a balance, itB次元官网网址檚 not one or the other.B次元官网网址�

At MondayB次元官网网址檚 meeting, the CSLSC and other members of the public will present their reasons for wanting to preserve the green space and designate it as a park. Polet said she hopes Langford will listen to the community and incorporate amenities they are asking for. She also said she wants to see some of the more sensitive areas of the land parcel protected to ensure the endangered species are not harmed.

B次元官网网址淧eople want natural green space and thatB次元官网网址檚 what we want to see there,B次元官网网址� Polet said.

shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com

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