Firstly, a huge pat-on-the-back is in order for all of us: all of your letters to council, phone calls and actions back in July made a difference! Because of you, the city and developer increased the required greenspace in the development proposal from 25% to 40%. As far as we know this is a first in recent Langford history. Way to go, everyone!
But – under the current rezoning proposal – there is still no guarantee that any of the greenspace provided to the City of Langford as a community amenity will be preserved in its original state. If the city chooses to do so, it can still allow the developer to clear-cut and minimally replant most of the ‘protected’ greenspace.
We can do even better
For the past couple of months The Land Conservancy (TLC) has been working with our group and the developer to explore the ecological and economical benefits of a conservation covenant to protect the biodiversity and sensitive habitat areas of the property.
We are so close to making this a reality:
- TLC has determined that part of the parcel is ecologically valuable and is willing to help create a covenant to protect it forever;
- the developer (Langdon Weir Consulting) has committed to exploring the financial viability of this; and
- the City of Langford has over $2 million in a Parkland Acquisition Reserve Fund, specifically set aside to protect land that is important from a community and ecological perspective
With the TLC and the developer on board, we are asking the City of Langford to commit to helping protect a portion of the property using funds from the Parkland Acquisition Reserve Fund. This is where you come in!
This is our last chance to make a difference:
let’s create a nature park for the community!
The final public hearing in the rezoning process is coming up on Monday, November 25th. This is our last chance to be heard. If you believe in the idea of protecting a portion of this land as an undeveloped nature park, please consider doing any and all of the following right now. As we’ve learned over the past few months, your voice counts:
- Sign a petition asking the City to commit to preserving this land using the Parkland Acquisition Reserve Fund
- Send a one-click email to Council to ask for the City’s commitment (this needs to be done before Wednesday, Nov 20th at noon)
- Attend the public hearing on Monday, November 25th, and express your opinion
I truly believe that this is the beginning of a new age in Langford, with residents stepping up and demanding more sustainable development in their communities. We can make it happen; we are making it happen!