Abbotsford staff unhappy with proposed BC flood prioritiesAbbotsford city staff have suggested the initial work behind BC’s next flood strategy needs a serious second look.
The province is seeking feedback on a key document that will set the stage for a new strategy to prepare for and mitigate the impact of future floods across British Columbia. On Monday, Abbotsford council will hash out the city’s response. City staff have suggested
the strategy won’t address Abbotsford’s needs.
The document stresses the needs for communities to adapt and be able to accommodate more flood events while minimizing damage, rather than continually building larger dikes and more infrastructure. But Abbbotsford staff suggest the strategy doesn’t adequately address the economic impacts of doing so in floodplains like those in Abbotsford, where they are home to highly productive farms and a range of transportation infrastructure.
Staff also suggested council reject a request from the province to rank suggested actions in order of importance. They also disliked the written suggestion that British Columbians should “learn to live with feet wet.”
That term, staff wrote, “disregards the significant investments already made in dike infrastructure, the economic value of the agricultural lands to provide for food security, and the protection of vital infrastructure. We suggest this term be
rewritten or removed.”
You can read the provincial document here, and Abbotsford city staff’s suggested response here.
Fraser Highway speed limit to be reducedAbbotsford is set to slash the speed limit on a major connecting route between the city and Langley.Â
The 80km/h speed limit on a four-kilometre stretch of Fraser Highway will be reduced to 60km/h. The change has been anticipated for years following new improvements to the road meant to reduce congestion by adding left-turn lanes.
Abbotsford council will be asked to confirm the change Monday.
Packed Abbotsford council meeting agendaAbbotsford council meets for the first time in nearly a month today. In addition to the above issues, they’ll deal with a range of proposed developments, including a Gladys Avenue apartment building, and small-scale applications for Bakerview Street, McKee Road, Ravine Avenue, and Campbell Avenue.Â
You can view the agenda here.Â
Langley Township set to talk 2023 budgetLangley Township residents could be looking at a significant tax increase this year. Council will resume today and hold its first budget meeting at 11am where they will consider a 7.29% tax increase. A breakdown of the budget can be found here.Â
At its 1:30pm regular meeting, council will consider development proposals, the future of Old Yale Road, updates to its snow removal policy, as well as its election sign bylaw. Mayor Eric Woodward is also expected to ask council to reconsider the Metro Vancouver Regional District’s 2050 growth strategy, which was rejected by the
previous council.Â
You can view the township’s Monday agenda here. Â
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Langley City council to consider additional firefightersLangley City could see more full-time firefighters. During its 7pm meeting today, council will consider the addition of more firefighters in each annual budget for the next four years.Â
View today’s council agenda here.Â
Amended Lillooet Avenue development proposal returns to Harrison council A development proposal for Harrison's Lakeshore Beach Area will return to council today. The developer decided to revise plans for the property on 511 Lillooet Ave. after council rejected the project last summer.Â
View the updated plans and the agenda for today’s 7pm meeting here.Â
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