AAA Self Storage Depot Approved for Development in Langley, BC, Canada

A development permit application for AAA Self Storage Depot Inc. in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, was approved by city council members on Oct. 21. The four-story self-storage facility at 20986 56 Ave. will encompass 50,077 square feet. The site is currently being used for parking and long-term vehicle storage.

Although the development was approved, several concerns were raised during the council meeting with regard to nearby watermarks, flight patterns and noise pollution. Darren Cruickshanks, a design manager with Krahn Engineering Ltd., told council members the development will not affect any of the nearby creeks or rivers, including a tributary that originates at a culvert passing under 56th Avenue.

Due to the site's proximity to the Nicokmekl River, a Qualified Environmental Professional completed an assessment of the proposed development to comply with the Riparian Area Regulation and determine setbacks from the adjacent watercourse. The city typically requires a setback between 15 feet and 30 feet any time a development is near a watermark. However, because the lot will be paved and contained within the asphalt area, it was waived, according to Cruickshanks. In addition, the development will not disturb the areas natural vegetation, he said.

The developer also met with representatives from nearby Langley Regional Airport to address the possible disruption of flight patterns due to the facilitys height. Cruickshanks said the outdated covenants that prohibited construction over a certain height have been rewritten.

Residents shared their concerns with council members regarding noise pollution during construction and the limited number of parking spaces. Construction is expected to last eight to 10 months. Cruickshanks assured council members that once construction was completed, there would be little noise coming from the facility.

Resident Paul Albrecht asked if the 29 off-street parking spaces would be sufficient for the facility. Because the city has no specific parking requirements for self-storage facilities, Cruickshanks said the standard warehouse requirement from the zoning bylaw were followed.