Editor,

Walking along the trail by the wetlands of Deer Lagoon, I met two good friends from Langley. We stopped to chat in hushed voices as if we were in church, all the while noting the music of the birds singing from the trees, the water and from the sky above. One of the friends told us that he had recently seen a pair of eagles building a nest near Langley. We acknowledged the wisdom of the eagle’s choice, the sense of sanctuary that our village by the sea provides for both residents and visitors.

It is my hope and prayer that Langley will continue to be such a welcoming place to live, as we come together in the New Year to discuss and approve the comprehensive plan for the growth of Langley. I appreciate how our town’s commercial district is centralized, so that surrounding residents can enjoy the peace and comfort of living together in quiet neighborhoods.

But, the comprehensive plan for Langley proposes to change the land use designation at the west end of Second Street from residential to commercial use. I see no logic in creating a second business district in this small town, particularly in a residential zone, while there are at least eight vacancies currently in the downtown business zone.

In my opinion, such a land use action would drastically change the shape, commerce and culture of our village by the sea. Let the focus of our growth be on creative housing, instead, and ask Langley residents to collaborate on a vision for the future. I want our comp plan to reflect us, and to honor and protect the sense of sanctuary that for many of us is the essence of Langley.

Susan Scott

Langley