DocumentsCorrespondenceJun 20, 2022Page 40
Correspondence from Brian Belcher (email) - concerns re 2750 Leigh Rd
Email from a nearby resident expressing concerns about blasting, ecological impacts, retention of mature trees, and protection of ponds and greenspace for the 2750 Leigh Road development.
Key facts
- Sender: Brian Belcher, 1231 Goldstream Ave
- Date: May 3, 2022
- Concerns include blasting, removal of old-growth trees, Garry Oak meadows and ponds
- Requests preservation of ponds and maximizing retained greenspace
Correspondence from Brian Belcher (email) - concerns re 2750 Leigh Rd
Email details
- From: Brian Belcher
- Sent: May 3, 2022 4:05 PM
- To: Langford Planning General Mailbox
- Subject: Amendment to Langford Zoning Bylaw No. 300
- Attention: Planning, Zoning, and Affordable Housing Committee
Letter
Dear Committee,
I am writing to express concern about the development plans for 2750 Leigh Rd., and specifically regarding the application to allow non‐residential gross floor area to exceed 9,290 square Metres.
The area has steep topography with shallow soil underlain by bedrock. To build a building of this size will require a large amount of blasting to level the site. Moreover, if I understand correctly, buildings in this zone are required to have underground parking. That would mean even more blasting, for a very long period of time, for construction of this scale. Langford is already an extremely noisy and stressful municipality due to continuous hydraulic hammering and regular blasting. I appeal to the committee to consider the noise and disturbance implications of the decision.
As the report is not yet available, I do not know which part of the property "Area B" refers to. The East side of the property has been deforested for some time. Although it has been infested by Scotch Broom, it contains some ephemeral ponds that are still used by Pacific Tree Frogs. The Western part of the property is intact old second‐growth Douglas Fir forest, with a few old growth giants. There are also a couple of beautiful Garry Oak Groves, cedar groves, and wetland areas which feed into Langford Lake. It is very biodiverse. This area is one of few remaining areas of intact forest in the Langford Lake watershed. Given Langford City's commitment to Climate Action, this property should be managed carefully. Trees of this age are actively sequestering carbon at a high rate, and cutting the forest will release a large amount of carbon. The 40% of the area to be set aside for parks and greenspace should be used to maintain as much forest as possible. In the area already deforested, it would be wonderful if the ponds can be saved and incorporated into the development plan.
Sincerely,
Brian Belcher
1231 Goldstream Ave.
Langford