Municipal News – City of Langley
July 27, 2021
Proposed Zoning Bylaw Paring Amendments
At the Township of Langley Regular Council Meeting of July 12 a report related to the Zoning Bylaw with respect to parking requirements was received by Council and was referred back to staff to bring forward reports and bylaws with Fort Langley separate.
The Report recommended that staff review cash-in lieu amount for on-site parking currently as an option for development in Fort Langley and a new cash-in lieu option on-site parking in both Fort Langley and Aldergrove commercial core areas.
Outlined in the report are also specific parking requirements for uses such as retail, office, financial institutions and restaurants. Additionally, the bylaw proposes adding new requirements for bicycle parking and end-of trip facilities, and to increase parking requirements to accommodate persons with disabilities.
June 29, 2021
Airtightness and Step Code Requirements Survey
The Township of Langley is seeking input to help collectively improve the construction practice of stakeholders in the building industry achieve airtightness more successfully.
The Township of Langley in partnership with UBC are surveying members of the construction industry including: drywallers, window installers, framers, insulation installers, plumbers, HVAC industry, electricians, cladding installers, general contractors and others. The results of this project will be made available to all industries across BC and intend to help reduce the challenges with meeting increasingly challenging airtightness targets including meeting Step Code requirements more easily, eliminating final blower door test failures, and avoiding costly improvements that would be required late in the construction stage to meet energy based requirements.
See the survey link here: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/AirtightnessSurvey
Please complete the survey by Friday, July 2nd.
All responses will be treated confidentially. No personal data will be recorded.
Thank you in advance for participating in this effort. For questions, please contact Kevin Ramlu, kramlu@tol.ca.
March 23, 2021
New Watercourse Protection Bylaw (information purposes) Mar 8
At Langley City’s Regular Council Meeting of March 8 a report on a newly Proposed Watercourse Protection Bylaw was received by Langley Council for informational purposes. (see the report on p.24). The Watercourse Protection Bylaw is meant to control and prevent issues from occurring at the construction site. The proposed new Watercourse Protection Bylaw makes a number of changes that are intended to improve staff’s ability to monitor and enforce the bylaw. One of the more significant proposed changes is to replace TSS with a Water Turbidity Measurement. Also included in the report are proposed changes to the:
- Water quality monitoring criteria
- Construction inspection, monitoring and reporting frequency
- Offences penalties and remedies
The main tool for ensuring compliance with the Watercourse Protection Bylaw is the ability for staff to issue an immediate stop work order which won’t be lifted until the infraction is remediated.
March 9, 2021
Housing Needs Report
Langley City’s Housing Needs Report is on the agenda for their Regular Council meeting of 22 February (pg. 347).
In the Spring of 2019, the Province mandated that local governments complete housing needs reports by April 2022. At Langley City Regular Council Meeting of February 22 the Housing Needs Report (see p.347) was received by Council. The purpose of the report is to “identify the number and type of housing units needed to meet current and anticipated needs for at least the next five years.” The report will assist the City for new OCP policies and Zoning Bylaw regulations that support the development of new housing.
The Report includes several dozen data points include:
Staff also identify several key areas of local need in Report, including:
February 10, 2021
Langley City Draft OCP & Nicomekl River District Neighbourhood Plan
Langley City now has a draft Official Community Plan (OCP), as well as a draft Nicomekl River District Neighbourhood Plan. Both of these documents will provide direction on growth and development in the City of Langley for years to come.
If you would like to provide feedback on the draft plans there is an online survey that is open until February 21 2021.
Langley staff are hosting a virtual open house to discuss the Draft Official Community Plan (OCP) on Tuesday, February 9 2021 from 6:00 pm- 8:00 pm.
Another virtual open house will be held to discuss the Nicomekl River District Neighbourhood Plan on Wednesday, February 10 2021 from 6:00-8:00 pm.
May 5, 2020
Tax Relief Measures
To ease the financial pressures on taxpayers during these challenging times, Langley City Council has proposed an amended 2020-2024 Financial Plan. The overall property tax increase of 6.67% has been adjusted to 1.83% and Business Class properties and Light Industrial Class properties have modified from 7% to average increase of 2.01% and 2.14% increase respectively.
“The City was able to accomplish this by reducing the tax increase to bridge the funding gap from $1.95 million to $535,000 by taking numerous substantial measures including:
- Deferring the borrowing of $10 million in 2020 as part of the Nexus of Community Plan to 2021, which will eliminate the debt servicing costs of $827,664 or 2.83%
- Postponing several new staffing positions until future years, a reduction of $120,855 or 0.42%
- Reducing the contribution to the Capital Works Reserve for infrastructure renewal from $100,000 to $50,00
- Increasing new building permit revenue projections by $400,000 or 1.37%. This revenue projection may not be substantial in future years and will be reassessed for 2021.”
The property tax penalty for residential property owners was previously 5% after the July 2 tax due date and a further August 2. In 2020, the penalty will be reduced to 2% after the July 2 tax due date, and a second penalty date will be extended to October 1 at 8%. The Province has mandated that Business Light Industrial and Non-profit classed properties will have one penalty date of October 1 at 10%.
See here for the full update.
April 21, 2020
Reconsideration of Industrial and Commercial property taxes referred to Staff
At the Regular Council Meeting on April 6th, in response to correspondence from the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, Council referred the request to reconsider 2020 increases to Industrial and Commercial property taxes to staff for review and consideration.
See here for the video from the April 6th meeting.
April 16, 2020
For news and announcements from Langley City see here
April 6th Council Meeting Highlights https://city.langley.bc.ca/news/april-6-2020-council-meeting-highlights
March 23rd Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update– Permit, License and Inspection Services
March 20th Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update – Ensuring the health and safety of Langley City residents and staff https://city.langley.bc.ca/news/coronavirus-covid-19-update-march-20-2020
March 19th COVID-19 Update and EOC Activation: Joint Mayors’ Announcementhttps://city.langley.bc.ca/news/covid-19-update-and-eoc-activation-joint-mayors-announcement
March 18th COVID-19 Update https://city.langley.bc.ca/news/coronavirus-covid-19-update-march-18-2020
March 16th COVID-19 Update https://city.langley.bc.ca/news/coronavirus-covid-19-update-march-16-2020
March 10, 2020
Nicomekl River District Neighbourhood Plan
Langley City now has a draft concept for the Nicomekl River District Neighbourhood Plan. On March 4th, 2020 Langley City hosted an open house and presented the draft concept. The two information boards presented at the open house can be found here: Introduction, and concept. It is anticipated that the plan will be completed sometime in March 2020.
January 28, 2020
OCP & Zoning Bylaw Update/Survey
In 2018 Langley City Council endorsed a new vision called the Nexus of Community to shape the community into a more walkable, livable, and sustainable place for all residents. To do this, Langley City is updating City’s Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaw. There is a survey available online to gain insights on the land use concept and range of important topics that impact the community, like housing, transportation, jobs, the economy, and the environment. Get more information and take the survey here.
November 25, 2019
OCP and Zoning Bylaw Updates Housing Forms Workshop
The City of Langley is hosting an OCP and Zoning Bylaw Updates Housing Forms Workshop on 27 November from 9am-12pm. Please register for the workshop here.