Correspondence — Lara Allsopp (Westhills Report / concerns about 40% greenspace)

Email: RE: Westhills Report

From: Lara Allsopp
Sent: September 11, 2021 11:57 PM
To: Trina Cruikshank; Langford Planning General Mailbox; Langford Engineering General Mailbox
Cc: Matthew Baldwin; Leah Stohmann
Subject: RE: Westhills Report

Hi,

Thank You.

I would like to submit an official concern that what WAS a requirement of 40%‐50% “greenspace called Parkland and natural space” is now being removed and being replaced by 40% “open space” which includes the Concrete buildings like YMCA, concrete parking lots, the Bus Stop, the concrete bike park and non “GREEN NATURAL” spaces that were included in the original Master Agreement. Concreate parking lots and concrete bike jumps are NOT Greenspace, neither is artificial turf.
The Master Agreement should NOT allow the removal of the 40% greenspace mandate. That is why we purchased in Westhills and why many other families have too.

We also want to see the agreement to include traffic safety upgrades implemented at Langford Lake Road and Langford Parkway (near Tim Hortons) that includes trimming the bottoms of the trees so that you can see the oncoming cars to turn left off LPW onto LLR, and cars can see the pedestrians.

The other day a pedestrian was hit by a car due to the negligence shown by Langford at their refusal to address the lack of visibility at that intersection. The RCMP have repeatedly raised it as a concern as have many residents. That intersection needs a traffic control light or a stop sign or a roundabout or something. I did pass along to the pedestrians family that if they wanted to sue the city for negligence I will happily testify and provide my emails from the past years and the RCMP who also raised concerns could be called as witness too.

I read that the new Tech Building going in by the YMCA is going to house 100 employees and all of those people are going to be exiting via that same intersection and I am not sure if they are aware at how dangerous it is to be moving into that location where you risk your life walking the crosswalk.

This is from the current agreement:

3.3 Parks and Open Space
Forty percent of the plan area is proposed as park land.
Most of the park land is contemplated to be kept in a natural state and is proposed to be improved through the removal of invasive species. Recreational trails throughout will provide the residents opportunities to walk and bicycle.
One of the significant features of the plan is the provision of a public fishing pier and beach on Langford Lake.

An emphasis on compact, high density development will conserve land: 40% of the area will be preserved as parkland and 100% of wetlands and streams will be protected.

…with approximately 84 ha (207 acres) of the subject property being designated as park (equivalent to 40% of the total land area).

Protect Regional Green and Blue Space. Approximately 40% of the Westhills site is designated as green space, while areas of protected forest will provide wildlife corridors and largely maintain natural viewscapes from across Langford Lake.

The layout of the Westhills Green Community is approximate so that the location of land uses can be shifted to protect sensitive ecosystems provided that approximately 50% of the total area subject to the Westhills Master Plan is preserved as park

4.2.1 Imperiled Species and Ecological Communities: The Westhills Community should protect imperiled species and ecological communities. Implementation of development should incorporate the guidance of biologists during site specific designs.
4.2.2 Parkland Preservation: The Westhills Community should preserve significant portions of the property as new parklands.
4.2.9 Site Disturbance: The development of the Westhills Community should seek to minimize site disturbance. This objective is furthered by the high density of the development, particularly in the commercial core and the large portion of land left as open/green space.

This is what we were promised and is clearly outlined in the Bylaw and the Westhills Owners said and was guaranteed to those that purchased because it part of a Bylaw.

This is what we got? NO trees left. No park, no grass, no walking space at all? This is NOT Greenspace. This is concrete and fake grass.

Cheers,
Lara
“This is our time to be kind, to be calm and to be safe” Dr Bonnie Henry

Original message: Westhills Report

From: Trina Cruikshank tcruikshank@langford.ca
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2021 2:42 PM
Cc: Matthew Baldwin mbaldwin@langford.ca; Leah Stohmann lstohmann@langford.ca
Subject: Westhills Report

Good afternoon,

You recently requested a copy of the Westhills report. Planning, Zoning, and Affordable Housing Committee Agendas are posted to our website the Friday afternoon prior to the Committee Meeting. The Agenda was just posted and here is the link.

Trina Cruikshank
Assistant Land Development
City of Langford
t 250.478.7882 x4606
2nd Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue | Langford, BC V9B 2X8
Langford.ca

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