Langley’s Future Takes Shape: Fraser Highway Employment Lands Area Plan

Langley is a fast-growing community with evolving needs—both for employment space and environmental protection. The Township of Langley is actively planning for the future through the Fraser Highway Employment Lands Area Plan, which spans from 228 Street to 240 Street along Fraser Highway. The goal? To increase industrial land supply and create more job opportunities, while balancing the need to protect sensitive ecosystems and existing communities.

On January 30, 2025, the Township hosted a second open house to present three potential land-use concepts and gather community feedback. With nearly 400 residents attending, it’s clear this plan has captured the attention of Langley homeowners, business owners, and environmental advocates.

🚧 The Three Concept Plans

• Concept 1: Maximize Employment Lands
  A bold industrial plan covering nearly the entire area. This option was met with strong opposition due to fears of traffic congestion, pollution, and loss of green space.

• Concept 2: Mixed Land Use
  A more balanced approach that integrates industrial zoning with some residential and institutional use. While more acceptable, residents still voiced concerns about environmental impacts.

• Concept 3: Fraser Highway Focused
  The most widely supported plan. It limits development to a narrower corridor along Fraser Highway and avoids residential areas. Many see it as a compromise that supports economic growth while preserving community character.

🌿 Environmental and Community Concerns

Langley residents didn’t hold back. Common themes included:

• Protecting salmon-bearing streams and wetlands

• Preserving the manufactured home park for affordable housing

• Ensuring a transparent planning process

• Avoiding increased property taxes and noise pollution

The area also contains habitats for protected species like barn owls and the northern red-legged frog, underscoring the need for thoughtful development.

As Langley continues to grow, the Fraser Highway Employment Lands Area Plan has become a defining project shaping future development, transportation patterns, and job creation in the eastern part of the Township. With population growth accelerating and industrial land in the region becoming increasingly scarce, the plan represents a major opportunity to support long-term economic resilience. At the same time, it highlights an important tension: how to accommodate new employment spaces without compromising the character, livability, and environmental integrity of surrounding neighbourhoods.

Community feedback has made it clear that residents are deeply invested in how this area evolves. Many homeowners voiced concerns about traffic, noise, and the potential loss of natural habitat, while others emphasized the benefits of local job creation and reduced commute times. This mix of perspectives underscores Langley’s unique challenge—balancing regional economic demands with strong community values. The plan’s most supported option, Concept 3, reflects that desire for harmony by concentrating development along the Fraser Highway corridor and protecting the long-established manufactured home community and nearby ecological areas.

🛣️ What Happens Next?

The Township is now working on a draft Area Plan and bylaw amendments, which will be shared at a public hearing. They will also seek approval from Metro Vancouver to rezone land from Rural to Industrial—an essential step in moving the project forward.

💬 Why This Matters for You

Looking ahead, the decisions made over the next year will have long-lasting impacts on housing affordability, local business growth, and environmental stewardship. As the Township prepares the draft plan and bylaw updates, residents will have more opportunities to influence the outcome. Staying informed and participating in future public hearings will be key for anyone who wants to help shape Langley’s next chapter. Whether you’re a property owner, investor, or nature advocate, this planning process will play a pivotal role in defining the community’s identity and economic direction for decades to come.

👉 Learn more and view the Township’s open house materials here:
Fraser Highway Employment Lands Area Plan – Township of Langley