The discussion on the possibility of limiting the density of a proposed housing development in Langley resumes next week.
The controversial topic of the Coles Valley development is on the agenda for the upcoming Langley City Council meeting, which starts at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1. Participants will be able to either Zoom in from their computers at home or attend by watching a computer screen set up with microphone and speaker capabilities in the council chambers at city hall.
Earlier this month, Councilmember Gail Fleming presented a proclamation that would decrease the development’s size from 131 units to 67.
Previously, the council adopted a recommendation from the city’s citizen-led Affordable Housing Subcommittee that required 30% of the units to be affordable. The council also adopted a resolution with requirements pertaining to mitigating climate change in the development.
The developers for the project have not yet submitted a Planned Unit Development, or PUD, application. They have also not yet submitted any reports about the site, which has come under scrutiny from members of the public who have expressed concerns about increased traffic and environmental impacts.
Many commenting during the council’s last meeting saw Fleming’s proclamation as a reasonable compromise.
However, at least one Langley business owner has spoken out since then in a letter to the council and is advocating for the 131 housing units to be built, as a solution to much-needed workforce housing for employees.
The Coles Valley development continues to be a hot topic. Earlier this year, Councilmember Rhonda Salerno proposed a building moratorium regarding PUD applications, which would have affected the development. The idea was later squashed.
Other topics on the agenda for Monday’s upcoming meeting include the adoption of a new chapter of the Langley Municipal Code relating to wireless communications, a presentation from Sno-Isle Libraries about the Langley Library and an update from the city’s recently formed Finance and Personnel Commission.
The full agenda is available on the city’s website, langleywa.org.
