LANGLEY — Nearly a year after they introduced their first proposal for a large mixed-use development spanning Wharf Street and Cascade Avenue, developers Nancy Josephson and Steve Day presented a completely revamped version of their plan to the Langley City Council and the community.

The design, a much smaller version, the developers said they attempted to create a “village in a village” consisting of cottages, small houses and a bistro, boasting with green roofs, arts and crafts, and public walkways all nestled into the steep bluff.

The council’s and the community’s reception of the revised plan, however, was cold.

“Your design is gorgeous. But I can’t imagine having that many residences down there,” said Councilwoman Rene Neff.

“I would have a very hard time rationalizing this,” she said.

Councilman Robert Gilman was concerned about safety issues related to bluff stability and the amount of parking that the area can handle.

Port Commissioner Rolf Seitle said the massive in-bluff construction would interfere with the port’s construction plans for the marina, and other residents were concerned about the design not fitting into Langley’s “village character.”

Wharf Street property owner Kathleen Waters-Riehl urged the council to give the design a chance and not base a decision on gut feelings without reviewing the engineering and scientific facts.

Waters-Riehl has been working with the city for years to work out a way to use her property more efficiently. Current code is restricting her plans and her property is one of the parcels that Josephson-Day have an option to buy for their project.

“I think many communities would kill to have a project like this in the pipeline,” she said.

The Josephson-Day presentation was part of the big reveal to the city council on ideas to solve the development challenges on Wharf Street and the marina area. Property owners and city staff worked on design ideas in closed-door meetings for several months.