Township council, May 25: Willoughby's new plans get their first readings, and two nature parks take shape

Willoughby’s new plans

This was the big one. Council gave first and second reading to three bylaws that will shape Willoughby for the next generation, and sent them to public hearing:

• The Willoughby Community Plan update (Bylaw 6201)
• The Willoughby Transit Corridor Plan (Bylaw 6202), covering the land around the future SkyTrain line
• A consolidated Gordon Neighbourhood Plan (Bylaw 6203)

Most of the amendments came from Councillor Pratt. Among them:

• Heights: in the transit-oriented area, base building heights of 6 storeys for high and medium density employment and medium density mixed use.
• Amenity contributions: the same Community Amenity Contribution wording in the Willoughby plan as in the Transit Corridor Plan, referring to the Township’s interim CAC policy.
• West of 200 Street: land between 198B and 199A Street, from 73A to 75A Avenue, is now rowhouse and townhouse, and land between 199A Street and 200 Street is low density residential.
• A new high street: 201 Street between 74B and 76 Avenue, built like the existing 76 Avenue high street.
• Schools: changed wording on new urban school sites.
• Gordon shops: a change to townhouse densities and to the maximum size of small commercial units. Councillor Martens’s amendment raised it to 140 m² (1,500 sq ft) per tenant, unless it’s a restaurant or café.

What this means: first and second reading isn’t approval. The plans still go to a public hearing, which is your chance to speak or write in. If you live or own property in Willoughby, these plans set what your neighbours, and you, can build.

Two nature parks

Fernridge Nature Park. Council endorsed the updated concept plan, adding a confirmed trail connection to 196 Street and the property at 19757 24 Avenue to the park. Staff will cost the unfunded parts for the 2027–2031 capital budget. A delegation told council about the site’s history as a gravel pit and the wildlife recorded there since, including more than 85 bird species in a one-day survey.

Nathan Creek Wetlands Park. Staff will estimate the cost of more design and site work, also for the 2027 budget.

Grants

• Tree planting: an application for $1,525,000 from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Growing Canada’s Community Canopies program, for planting from 2027 to 2029.
• Transit stops: an application for $300,000 from Coast Mountain Bus Company to improve stops on the Gloucester service.

Also

• Affordable housing on 199 Street: a housing agreement bylaw for the Township of Langley Housing Trust Society’s site at 7883 199 Street got three readings.
• 80 Avenue: the widening from 204 to 212 Street is under construction, due to be finished in the third quarter of 2026. Council asked staff about the remaining north-side sections in the 20100 to 20300 blocks.
• 28 Avenue and 204 Street: Councillor Ferguson’s motion carried for a safety study of the intersection, with any improvements brought back to council.
• Murrayville cenotaph: a Heritage Advisory Committee request to seal and monitor the Murrayville Cemetery cenotaph was referred to staff.

The meeting ended at 3:35 pm.

More background: How development gets approved · Who pays for growth: DCCs and ACCs