Township council, May 11: rapid buses on 200 Street, e-scooter safety and the 2026 tax rates

Rapid buses on 200 Street

Council confirmed its support for the Langley–Haney Place Bus Rapid Transit project, which runs along the 200 Street corridor from the Willowbrook SkyTrain station over the Golden Ears Bridge to Maple Ridge. Between 88 Avenue and 201 Street the buses will run in mixed traffic. Council also asked TransLink to add two connecting routes to the Major Road Network: 86 Avenue (200 to 202 Street) and 201 Street, and Willowbrook Drive (200 Street to the station). Staff will work with TransLink on the detailed design and the agreements.

Why it matters: when SkyTrain opens at Willowbrook, this is the line meant to carry people north from it. Dedicated lanes are what make a bus “rapid”. Where it runs in mixed traffic, it’s only as quick as the cars around it.

E-scooters and kids

Councillor Baillie’s motion carried, as amended. It notes that you must be 16 to ride an e-scooter legally in BC and that every elementary and middle school student is younger than that. Staff are to:

• look at what other cities do for enforcement and education
• talk to School District 35 about joint education
• meet with the Langley Township parent advisory committee
• discuss enforcement and education with the RCMP

Councillor Martens added advocacy to the Province and UBCM for stronger local powers on e-scooter safety; the mayor and Councillors Ferguson and Rindt opposed that part. Other amendments were defeated.

Tax rates set

Council gave final reading to the 2026 Annual Rates and Tax Collection Bylaw, with Councillor Richter opposed.

Traffic calming and parking

• Walnut Grove Drive: a $56,000 traffic calming plan was endorsed, to be installed before September 1, 2026, with $170,000 from the Community Works Fund for detailed design of protected bike lanes.
• Mixed-use parking: staff will submit a $75,000 budget request for a mixed-use parking study, and $20,000 a year for ongoing monitoring, in the 2027–2031 Financial Plan.
• Left turns: a delegation’s request to restore left-turn access was referred to staff.

Safer community events

Council supported continued changes to security and emergency planning, traffic management plans and road-use permits for community events. These follow the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into Community Events Safety.

Playgrounds

Staff will report on locations for up to five new or substantially improved playgrounds similar in quality to the new Yorkson Community Park. An amendment to also study smaller neighbourhood-based upgrades was defeated.

Also

• Willoughby plans: first and second readings were deferred to May 25 (Councillor Richter opposed). The Brookswood-Fernridge Community Plan update got first and second reading and was sent to public hearing.
• 37 townhouses: a rezoning for about 37 townhouses at 21305 83 Avenue got three readings (Councillor Richter opposed).
• Culvert borrowing: about $2.43 million in unused borrowing authority for culvert work was cancelled.
• Thunderbird Show Park: an application to adjust liquor service areas was sent to the Agricultural Land Commission (Councillor Richter opposed).
• Farmland subdivision: a subdivision on Smith Crescent in the ALR was not referred to the ALC, because it doesn’t meet the minimum parcel size.
• Salmon: Councillor Richter’s motion carried for a letter to the federal Fisheries Minister and Langley’s MPs and MLAs supporting the public’s right to fish, as Ottawa reviews its 1999 Salmon Allocation Policy.
• Aldergrove Athletic Park: up to $12,000 for a temporary tent to restore shaded seating.
• Animal rules: a delegation’s request was referred to staff, with spay, neuter and identification requirements added to the report.

More background: Township of Langley council · City vs Township: who does what