For the second time in a month, a decision that would allow developers to petition for annexation to the city of Langley is on hold.

On Wednesday, over 200 people came to Langley City Council meeting to voice their opposition to the possible annexation of 40 acres along Coles Road. The council’s decision on the matter, already delayed from a July 16 meeting to Aug. 20, is getting put off again to allow for a meeting at which Langley citizens can give their opinions about the annexation — which opponents say could allow for a large, dense housing development just outside the current city limits.

The previous delay was made to allow city council members to make a better-informed decision on the petition to annex.

Council member Neil Colburn, upon surveying the crowd at City Hall, did not object to another postponement.

“I don’t mind moving to a larger venue so everyone could be heard,” he said.

Because of fire code restrictions, only about 50 people were allowed into the council chambers. As many as 150 people stood outside during the meeting. Citizens asked the council to consider holding another meeting — and the decision — in a larger venue where everyone who wanted to attend, could.

They also asked that they be given time to make public comments on the issue at the next meeting, and wanted to be informed of how much time they would have to speak.

Langley resident David Whyte said he thought refusing to give people a chance to comment on the possible annexation by having a comment period was insulting. Mayor Lloyd Furman, after listening to Whyte’s outbursts and demands, pounded his gavel and called Whyte out of order. Furman threatened to “have him removed” if he said another word.

Whyte’s message was clear to council members, and not one of them verbally objected to postponing the issue for two weeks. Whether or not the public input is appropriate before the permission to petition is granted is unclear. Colburn said he felt it is discretionary on the part of the council.

City Planner Jack Lynch said the appropriate time for public comment would be during the public hearing at a Planning Advisory Board meeting later in the annexation process. At that time, Lynch said development was not a “done deal” as many believed, and still had many steps to go through before it could be approved.

As of press time Friday, Furman said he still hadn’t decided whether or not he would allow public comments at the Sept. 3 council meeting. Furman said the details of how the meeting will be conducted still have to be decided.

The group interested in annexing — and in buying the acreage near the Langley sewage treatment plant — have yet to say exactly how many homes they would build on the land.