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There is a stir of emotions in Langley, as residents around the Lower Mainland and Trinity Western University discuss whether or not Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) property across from TWU will be built on in the future.

Currently, TWU is working with the Township of Langley to apply for this project. “Out of a total of 70 plus acres, including 57 acres, about 16 acres are applying to go out,” said Andry Tjahyana, executive director of development at TWU.

According to the Langley Advance, “the application and maps, a 3.3 acre parcel is to be used for dormitory housing, and a larger segment of 4.6 to 5.7 acres is to be used for grad housing and programs, a ‘centre of excellence’ and a research park,” if approved.

“The [mayor] is in support of Trinity as a university community in terms of how we grow in the future,” said Tjahyana.

Tracy Stobbe, Economics professor at TWU and member of the Ecological Stewardship Committee, said that the community garden at TWU, a feature that connects the campus with the community, could possibly be wiped out if removing the ALR is approved for building.

The farmland, much of which is located northwest of Glover road across from TWU’s entrance, and the community garden always had the potential for expansion.

“I think it would be better to densify on campus before expanding,” said Stobbe. By doing so, dorms on campus could be upgraded.

“There are significant pros and cons to the application. TWU will have a place to further expand, create benefits for agriculture, and it could be a centre for student research,” said Stobbe. “Cons are that the land is sensitive and if the land is not potentially handled correctly.”

April Reeves, a Richmond resident and activist against the ALR removal is opposed to any development. “The nearby farms…will now have to deal with roads through their lands. They bought in the ALR as a way of life. Think of your family home having to be sold for development. This is what is happening to those homes just outside the limits,” said Reeves.

“While it may look like a great project, the repercussions are significant,” said Reeves. “It’s not personal against TWU, it’s about principles and the future.”

Reeves also raises the question, “why would you want to pave [the land]?”
“We want to be sensitive to the neighbours too,” said Sam Rehman, business development manager at TWU. “We have to be sensitive to the waterways…don’t think it will be just one big parking lot.”

Tjahyana confirms that even if the application is approved down the road, long-term changes will not be made immediately and environmental setbacks will be taken into consideration. In fact, projects like a new chapel building will be completed much beforehand.

A protest is set to take place on March 31 for those who oppose the entire idea, but for those in support of potential future developments, they will have to sit tight for a while before changes come to TWU.

“We are cognisant and very aware of the value of agriculture in the community…there will be a compromise with the community that’s well planned, thought out, and sustainable. Before we consider developing these lands, there’s development on campus that’s got to be done properly,” said Tjahyana.