Talking Willoughby, Brookswood, roads & marijuana with candidate Craig Teichrieb…

The other week I sent a questionnaire to almost (I couldn’t find an email for a few) every candidate running for Council (not Mayor). The questions were intended to be nonpartisan, important, and focused on the future of Langley. I deeply appreciate the responses received as it would have taken these candidates serious time to respond. I hope that if you like the responses provided that you’ll share the posts of your favourite candidates. These posts are NOT endorsements of any candidate and the answers have NOT been edited. -Brad Richert

-1-

BRAD: Do you have a tangible solution for solving the highly perceived traffic woes in Willoughby, especially along 208th Street, 80th Avenue and 72nd Avenue.

CRAIG: I would like to see Langley Township expediting the construction, by fronting the cost now to complete the process of road widening, and then recouping the cost later through the remaining development in Willoughby. There are a couple of us with the same view on this. The cost needs to be distributed through all developers in Willoughby to share the cost, and not just the properties that front the main roads that need widening. 

-2-

BRAD: Do you believe that road design in Willoughby’s NCPs are adequate for a build out population of 80,000-100,000? If not, do you believe they can be improved, if so, how?

CRAIG: Once its complete I do believe it will be adequate, I just think the process needs to be made a priority over the current development.

-3-

BRAD: Please provide up to 3 items that you believe can be improved in Brookswood’s NCPs that were missed in Willoughby’s planning. Will you advocate for these improvements before adopting further NCPs?

CRAIG:

-A better phase in plan, so the development isn’t so sporadic 

-Identifying and preserving our heavily treed land to be set aside as major park space

-4-

BRAD: A recent application for at Shepherd of the Valley in Willoughby was passed unanimously (absent Councillor Richter), changing the NCP zoning of Institutional/church to a high density comprehensive development zoning. Do you view NCPs in Willoughby (and soon Brookswood) to be very flexible “living documents” or do you maintain holding to a more strict interpretation of an NCP?

CRAIG: I’m ok with them being a living document, as I feel there is always room for improvement to a plan that may have been passed without proper consultation.

-5-

BRAD: The Williams plan is moving forward with a traditional suburban style commercial core at the new 216th Street interchange. Do you believe for this plan adequately “future-proofs” the Northeast quadrant of Willoughby?

CRAIG: Not sure about truly “future proofing” that area of Willoughby, but with the new interchange and core development in Williams, it gives options to both sides of the freeway at 216th to commercial space to possibly get some out of their cars and make a  walkable option to that community.

-6-

BRAD: Brookswood is moving forward with simultaneous NCPs. Do you support this? Explain. Should one NCP be done at a time. If so, which area is priority?

CRAIG: I feel we need to learn from Willoughby in regards to the development process in Brookswood, and work on one NCP at a time in a phase in model.  Starting on the north end of Brookswood and working to the south ensuring we are keeping services up to speed with development. With also making sure roads are built to adequately support the development prior to the growth

-7-

BRAD: Phased development has been discussed for Brookswood, but no mechanism is yet in place. Do you support phased development such as in South Surrey’s Grandview neighbourhood? Explain.

CRAIG: YES! See above, we should only develop in this method

-8-

BRAD: Parking is a common issue in many neighbourhoods in Langley, yet enjoys some of the most relaxed parking allowances in the region. Should new developments have more parking or less? Are there other parking-related solutions in your platform?

CRAIG: I believe new development should have adequate parking for the density of the residential/commercial model, and either a parkade tower or underground parking for the shopping core. But, I would like to see a better walkable core in any NCP, to alleviate the use of the car, and more access to transportation.

-9-

BRAD: Higher density in Langley is suggested as a means to increase housing affordability, pay for amenities/infrastructure and protect ALR land. Agree or disagree? Explain.

CRAIG: I agree, if the high density is set to the core of a NCP, affordable, seniors and rental housing needs to be in a walkable area, with easy access to shopping and transportation by foot.

-10-

BRAD: Some communities are banning the smoking of legal marijuana in all public places. Some are restricting the use of the substance in a fashion similar to tobacco cigarettes. What are your views on a potential municipal bylaw?

CRAIG: Whether it is legal marijuana or tobacco. Smoking should be restricted enough to allow the enjoyment of the space or housing of all citizens.