Petition aims to stop the sale of city-owned land in Langford
The City of Langford bought a parcel of land at 1365 Goldstream Ave. more than a decade ago, with the idea of using it for highway improvement.
“But we don’t need it,” says Langford Mayor Stew Young. “Highways doesn’t need it. It’s just an orphaned piece of property.”
Now, the 4.6-acre site is up for sale, and that has angered some residents.
A local group called Langford Voters for Change has created a petition against the sale. Members want to see the land turned into park space instead.
The petition builds on a letter from Brian Belcher, a Langford resident, to the mayor. In the letter, Belcher argues that the area has ecological value and should be protected.
“It’s really important in the winter because we get flooding; we get overflow and that area does get flooded,” said Belcher. “It absorbs quite a bit of the water that would otherwise be in langford lake and raising lake levels even higher.”
It’s a claim the mayor doesn’t dispute. Some of the flood plain will be sold off in order to create an access point from Westshore Parkway, to keep traffic off of Goldstream Avenue.
“The only access would be through Westshore Parkway, and right beside that is some industrial buildings and there are some highway maintenance yards and things like that,” said the mayor.
Young says 70 per cent of the flood plain is already protected by the City of Langford, and that isn’t going to change.
Belcher also points out that the area is used by nesting birds and is a hunting ground for raptors.
“It’s happening way too fast,” said Tom Watson, one of more than 1,800 people who have signed the petition since it went live on Thursday.
Watson wants to see development in Langford slowed down.
“You know, at one point, it was really good,” he said. “Now, you take out every tree, you take out every wetland, you blast every rock. It’s just too fast.”
“I’m just hoping that this petition, this public attention will help the city start to think about some of those ecological considerations and not just the development considerations,” added Belcher.
Langford is planning on using the proceeds of the sale to complete the Ed Nixon Trail around Langford Lake. Currently, users of the trail have to walk along Goldstream Avenue to complete the trek around the lake. The proposed changes would see a safe path created along Goldstream Avenue.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.