To the editor:
Langley, although struggling against a poor economy, is otherwise a vivacious, creative, picturesque destination location. Identified as “destination” means having businesses that welcome and entertain guests.
A compromise where “no one is happy” would be no solution to the current ordinance, which is neither a compromise nor a solution, but rather a conciliatory bone thrown to the neighbors while throwing a business under the bus.
The quality of life on Second Street may not be what they expected 20-plus years ago, but Langley is not the sleepy, lesser-known town it once was. Change happens! Growth happens! When you buy a home in the heart of a community with commercial zoning on your street, you have to expect change.
Mo’s Pub & Eatery should be allowed to be successful, expand, renovate, thrive, feed and entertain the community like any other business in Langley. Mo’s has made concessions to develop a good neighbor policy. What would the Second Street neighbors have them do? Prohibit success by closing early? They are a pub. They serve alcohol. It is a gathering place for family, friends and neighbors to hang out, reconnect, relax. It’s what they do.
Are neighbors willing to offer Maureen Cooke and Bob Trenchard fair market value? Are they willing to pay revenue taxes lost should Mo’s close? Will they find work for 20-plus employees who will lose their jobs?
What about the “neighbors” on First Street that live over businesses? I have been at Prima Bistro many times at night, with music playing, and people on the rooftop having a great time and making noise. Perhaps their neighbors understand?
People choosing to live near airports cannot limit how often, what time or how many planes fly overhead. It is about location, and where you choose to live may determine your quality of life.
More regulations will not fix the current neighbor dispute. Restricting future businesses with unreasonable zoning/ordinances seems ill-advised, considering the limited geographic area of downtown Langley.
Please hear us, City Council, and represent ALL the people.
Catherine Billera
Clinton
