On Saturday November 15 the people of Langley Township will elect a Mayor and Council for a four year term. To help members of the public make their decision as to how to vote Watchers of Langley Forests (WOLF) asked all the candidates for Mayor and Council to comment on two topics. Each topic had two or three questions attached.. The topics were Creekside Forest in Aldergrove and the issue of land sales by the Township of Langley.
The questions were as follows.
Creekside Forest
Where do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety?
Land Sales by Township
What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?
Where do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety?
Land Sales by Township
What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?
Here are the answers we have received as of the early afternoon on November 14. We will update as we receive any additional answers. I have split the answers up with part one appearing first and part two second as you scroll down the blog.
CANDIDATES FOR MAYOR
JACK FROESE
No reply
RICK GREEN
Thank you for your email and questions posed. I will answer them with a preamble first of some necessary history related to Township owned land first.
When I decided to run for office in 2007 and subsequently announced publicly in February of 2008 I did so ONLY after I uncovered a litany of issues I felt were patently wrong. One of the serious issues I raised and went after then Mayor Kurt Alberts for was the Dixon Pit Property as you may recall. This will go down as a text book example of what not to do, but that is another story.
During that election campaign I undertook to find out or uncover a list of properties the Township taxpayer owned. We were told they did not have a comprehensive list. We tried three times and were denied. After the election and during a transition meeting with the CAO I requested immediately an inventory of all property. It came to me in three weeks in about 5 binders, one per classification with pictures, maps and history (ie purchase price etc,). That inventory was made public and announced by me on or around January of 2009. It is available to the public in the Real Estate Department. Up to this time there was and I believe is today (minus my time in office) a cloak of secrecy around the Township property. I said during that time that there was around $500 million in inventory, which was denied by the then Mayor Kurt Alberts which I found to be true after the election.
My answers to your questions are as follows:
1. RE Creekside Forest in Aldergrove – I will seek support through a new Council an update/status of this prospective development with a view of to pull back from the plans where and if possible subject to contracts that may have been signed?
2. RE Land Sales – I would put it another way it is about land / asset management. I have always stated that land sales should be a very public process but only after going through a very strict internal review. In the 2008 Municipal Election Campaign I introduced the concept of creating a “Township of Langley Property Endowment Trust” and “Trust Fund”. It was patterned after the “Vancouver Property Endowment Trust and Trust Fund” established by then Mayor Art Phillips in the 70s in answer to the out of control wild west property deals which were occurring frequently with friends and insiders gaining benefit. It started out in the $100 million range, today it is worth over $2 Billion and over the last 40 or so years has transferred about $300 million into Vancouver’s General Revenue. It’s management is set up with complete transparency (what is allowed obviously) and reports to Council with all decisions up to Council.
NOTE: You may recall this was criticized during my campaign as a method to sell off our assets – That is exactly what it is NOT! The Trust (as the name means) is a protection of the asset, increasing it’s value and managing the asset for the taxpayer.
3. RE Making list public – Yes if there is a list but frankly I believe the way Council and staff are going about things it is knee jerk and there is no comprehensive, short, medium or long term. Selling assets for the purpose of funding Capital Projects is fundamentally wrong.
Kirk, I have had a very good tour of the Creekside Forest in Aldergrove by Jessica Horst a few weeks back.
I hope this email answers your questions, I would be pleased to discuss the issue in greater detail at your convenience.
All the best
Rick Green
SERENA OH
No reply
CANDIDATES FOR TOWNSHIP COUNCIL
PETRINA ARNASON
Creekside Forest
Where do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety?I am in favour of rescinding the rezoning of the forested property for single family residential development. A new Council should consider, based on an appropriate assessment of the situation and future density increases to the area, whether or not to save both parcels or to compromise by allowing the development of the former sewage treatment properties only. At this time, I personally favour maintaining both properties and utilizing the former service property as a remediation project which would provide an opportunity for local environmental stewards, educators, and the Township to create a model for environmental rehabilitation and ecosystem recovery which would also expand the forested ecosystem and create more green space for Aldergrove.
Land Sales by Township
What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?I totally support the release of information by the Township regarding our land inventory and would push the Township to be more open and transparent with respect to all land sales and transactions, insofar as information divulged does not harm the public interest with respect to potential TOL land purchases. I am fundamentally opposed to the selling of our natural capital (surplus land) in order to pay for amenities as I believe that this is not sustainable and that it is not in keeping with prudent economic management as we will need many of these properties in the future and they will only rise in value as land suitable for parks, development and infrastructure becomes more scarce.
Where do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety?I am in favour of rescinding the rezoning of the forested property for single family residential development. A new Council should consider, based on an appropriate assessment of the situation and future density increases to the area, whether or not to save both parcels or to compromise by allowing the development of the former sewage treatment properties only. At this time, I personally favour maintaining both properties and utilizing the former service property as a remediation project which would provide an opportunity for local environmental stewards, educators, and the Township to create a model for environmental rehabilitation and ecosystem recovery which would also expand the forested ecosystem and create more green space for Aldergrove.
Land Sales by Township
What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?I totally support the release of information by the Township regarding our land inventory and would push the Township to be more open and transparent with respect to all land sales and transactions, insofar as information divulged does not harm the public interest with respect to potential TOL land purchases. I am fundamentally opposed to the selling of our natural capital (surplus land) in order to pay for amenities as I believe that this is not sustainable and that it is not in keeping with prudent economic management as we will need many of these properties in the future and they will only rise in value as land suitable for parks, development and infrastructure becomes more scarce.
KARL BUCHANAN
No reply
SOLON BUCHOLTZ
In regards to the questions. I
believe we need to respect our land and people. Langley's heritage and
natural greenspaces are some of our greatest assets. We are a diverse
group of communities, land and people. Our decisions, whether about land
sales or developments such as Creekside, need to be community driven
and consensus led.
The
Creekside development has again shown us that many on current council
are not being guided by the residents or the sustainability charter of
2008. The decisions that are being made permanently destroy
irreplaceable lands of ecological value. Aldergrove does need growth and
has a revitalization plan that promotes it. Why we are revising the OCP
for the benefits of few and the loss of many symbolizes our need for
change in direction at a municipal level. We need to ensure our elected
officials are transparent in the planning process and advocate for the
residents.
I
have been a strong advocate for transparency when it comes to land
sales in the Township. More often than not, the majority of residents
are unaware of the sale of any community lands until after the fact.
This disconnect with our residents and lack of transparency, is a real
issue needing to be addressed. Langley is land rich and often cash poor.
If we dispose of our tangible land assets of irreplaceable value, our
short-term gains will results in our long term failure to be a real
community of value, livability and sustainability. I think the list of
land owned by the people should be public and sales should be open to
scrutiny prior to them being made available for sale. Thus, these
decisions must be made with public input as a first step in consensus
led governance.
DAVID DAVIS
1. I originally voted in favour of developing so the funds could be put towards the pool.
I also supported a motion by Councillor Richter to put the development on the North side and would support revisiting the motion (as discussed with Jessica Horst) as there might be some new ideas on how we can separate the south side. I have visited Creek side Forest a few times. I am very open to new information and ideas.
2. I believe that if the township is selling off township owned land then it should be transparent to the public.
I am a big advocate for saving farmland and preserving our rural areas.
1. I originally voted in favour of developing so the funds could be put towards the pool.
I also supported a motion by Councillor Richter to put the development on the North side and would support revisiting the motion (as discussed with Jessica Horst) as there might be some new ideas on how we can separate the south side. I have visited Creek side Forest a few times. I am very open to new information and ideas.
2. I believe that if the township is selling off township owned land then it should be transparent to the public.
I am a big advocate for saving farmland and preserving our rural areas.
BEV DORNAN
No reply
ZOSIA ETTENBERG
No reply
STEVE FERGUSON
No reply
CHARLIE FOX
No reply
CLINT LEE(LIVE LANGLEY)
Creekside Forest
I am NOT in favour of development of Creekside Forest. Creekside Forest is the last remaining forest in south Aldergrove within walking distance of the core center. As such, we should be preserving this natural space for the enjoyment of its residents and their future generations. It is unfortunate that our past council sees only economic value in its development rather than the social value the area brings to the community. Therefore, I believe it should be preserved in its entirety, although I understand that a majority of residents are only against the proposed 20 homes in the middle of the forest. Personally, I would like to see the entire area protected as a formal Township park.
Land Sales by Township
and What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?
The Township owns an enormous amount of property to the tune of $500 million. I’d like to verify these numbers by directing staff to create an inventory list of these assets before we make any hard decisions in addition to making this information publicly available. Mostly, these are tremendous community assets so we should first be looking at ways to manage, protect and enhance these assets without having to sell them off. Many of these assets could be used for parks, for example, which can lead to spin off benefits for many years to come. I believe there’s shortsightedness on the part of past council and it reflects in their recent decisions. I would rather have us look at some real long term solutions to creating value to these assets, both financially and socially.
Providing amenities for our communities is important as well as preserving our natural and built heritage. As the birthplace of BC, our natural and built heritage means a great deal to a great deal of people so we should bear that responsibility with great humility. Areas such as Creekside Forest, Fort Langley, and Murrayville represent our connections to the past that should not be given up for the sake of “progress”. There are ways to bring progress without having to sacrifice our heritage.
PATRICIA LESSARD
I was taken on a tour by Jessica and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the Creekside Forest. A delightful jewel in the heart of Aldergrove. I would have liked to have had this jewel preserved.
I believe we need a comprehensive list of Township properties compiled and an estimated value both economically and environmentally. This list should be readily available to residents. I believe when considering selling Township property we need to evaluate if it is in the best interest of the community when and if it should be sold. Environmental and community groups must be consulted to gain their input into the value of the property beyond monetary.
MEL KOSITSKY(editorial note-Mel Kositsky answers are compiled from portions of 2 emails I recieved from him. Any incoherence is my responsiblity)
Creekside Forest
Creekside Forest
I know Aldergrove is in desperate need of more housing, especially for families and seniors. I am a supporter of an urban forest concept, but affordable housing is top on my list. I am not sure who the housing proposal is targeted to, but the right development plan can perhaps achieve both goals, maybe by increasing the density. I will have to look into it closer. You need trees to build houses and the amount of land available to build housing in Aldergrove is very limited unless you can start dipping into the agriculture lands and that is a whole different discussion. Not going there!
Land Sales
I am very familiar with the natural heritage and ecological value of land that is not designated parkland.
My work with LEPS, Metro Vancouver parks, TOL parks, the Pacific Parklands Foundation and Suzuki Foundation gives me a broad understanding of the issues outlined in the letter.
My years on Council also gave me a good understanding on municipal land sales. I was involved in the protection of the West Creek lands, Langley Bog, Brae Island, and many other parcels. You can be assured if I do get re-elected there would be a good analysis of any land before it was offered for sale. The only reason we have the land is because previous councils (some way before me) had the smarts to acquire it - otherwise we would not be having this discussion. TOL is not broke and does not need to rush to sell off its land holdings.
My work with LEPS, Metro Vancouver parks, TOL parks, the Pacific Parklands Foundation and Suzuki Foundation gives me a broad understanding of the issues outlined in the letter.
My years on Council also gave me a good understanding on municipal land sales. I was involved in the protection of the West Creek lands, Langley Bog, Brae Island, and many other parcels. You can be assured if I do get re-elected there would be a good analysis of any land before it was offered for sale. The only reason we have the land is because previous councils (some way before me) had the smarts to acquire it - otherwise we would not be having this discussion. TOL is not broke and does not need to rush to sell off its land holdings.
BOB LONG
Creekside Forest
Where do you stand on the proposed development of Creekside Forest in Aldergrove? Do you think it should be saved in its entirety?
A considerable portion of the lands have been set aside for conservation.
Land Sales by Township
and What are you thoughts on the issue of land sales as addressed in the open letter to Mayor and Council by Watchers of Langley Foresets and Salmon River Enhancement Society? Do you think the ToL staff report listing Township-owned properties that could be sold should be made public as soon as it is completed? And do you agree with the principle that our natural heritage should not be sacrificed for modern amenities?
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