The main concern raised about the mixed use residential-commercial development along Spencer and Preston Way was the opening up of Preston Way. Neighbours seemed surprised or possibly confused when Mayor Young, in responding to their opposition and concern about Preston Way as a through road, maintained, “we never intended to put it through,” and went on to explain, “there would be too many cars and it would back up traffic,” and the development could go off through Spencer Road.” The Preston Way neighbours were also assured by the Mayor that, “they will have to do their parking on their property” in response to another concern about too much street parking on Preston Way. Another neighbour referenced a petition opposing the height variance being sought by the developer to allow 5 storey building from the permitted 4 storey.

Councillor Spzak, Chair of the Planning & Zoning Committee, requested an ammendment of the proposal to relieve the applicant of the financial burden of providing a sidewalk along the east side of Spencer Road to Goldstream Avenue. She referenced the contribution of affordable housing being made. Mayor Young concurred, however, he wished that the sidewalk still be built and directed Langford staff to find some money to build the sidewalk from Langford’s sidewalk fund or other developments in the area.

The other issue raised before Council was that of covenants on some properties, and the need for an expeditious response to their concerns. Mayor Young indicated that covenants could not be discussed since they were not on Monday night’s agenda. He pointed out Council needs information to read and directed the concerned residents to “write a letter addressed to Engineering,” about the covenants. Several of the residents indicated they had already written such a letter to the City of Langford and were currently in discussions with Langford staff. Mayor Young promised, “if their concerns were not all addressed with staff the very next day,” then the topic of property covenants would, “be on the next council agenda.”

Committee member, and citizen volunteer, Steve Harvey argued “I think there are too many signs there. The ones that are there are already big and bold.”

Committee member, and local developer, Malcolm Hall replied “I’m surprised we’ve had this come before us, I was part of the sign committee and we weren’t supposed to have more sign requests coming before the committee, though I guess it’s been successful as this is the first one since.” He added “I’ll support this, it’s a commercial area, and they’re both good corporate citizens and such.”

Langford staff noted that “if the sign were attached to the building face it would fall within guidelines,” but that if they did so it would be difficult to add to the base of this wall without affecting parking.

The proposal was recommended for approval.

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The second proposal was for a 63 unit development on Spencer Road, including some affordable housing units. A large number of residents came out, most from nearby Preston Way. A series of residents spoke, focusing on themes of parking, traffic flow, and street safety.

Several speakers mentioned that they believed they’d been promised by the developer at a public meeting the road would stay closed. While this public meeting was held at Langford City Hall, it was not an official City of Langford public meeting and Langford Planner Matthew Baldwin indicated the developer solely was responsible for any claims made during it, and that he was unaware of that claim having been made.

On that point, Councillor Lanny Seaton (sitting in place of an absent councillor) encouraged them to “think about it,” noting that another neighbourhood had “[shot] themselves in the foot” by pushing for a road to be closed, and later regretting it when traffic patterns and density changed. Some in the audience took issue with that, leading Lanny to assure them that he meant no offence.

Councillor Lillian Szpak, chairing the meeting, said “You have a little utopia there. It’s changing. It won’t be the same in the future.”

In response to residents who indicated that the road was already congested with parked cars from local playing fields, particularly on Saturdays, and that more traffic would make the road even less safe for children to play in, Lillian Szpak responded that “Roads are there for a reason. They’re for driving cars on.” A city engineer indicated that they believed the road could handle the amount of traffic they projected, and could additionally handle the worst case traffic scenarios the residents were drawing.

Citing their desire to support the affordable housing component of the development, and their faith in predictions that the majority of traffic will exit to Spencer Road rather than to Preston Way, the committee recommended approval of the proposal and it goes to Langford Council tomorrow night.