What was supposed to be ‘the most sustainable development in Langley’s history’ has been whittled down to a retail complex, for now.

The Jericho Sub-Neighbourhood Plan at the southwest corner of 80 Avenue and 200 Street has been in the planning stages for a year, but a spokesperson for the development told council last Monday that there isn’t a current market for the residential component to go ahead.

Mitrunen Development and First Capital, with six other property owners, proposed an ‘aging in place’ seniors’ residence called the Jericho Campus of Care, which would include not only residential units ranging from independent living and various levels of assisted living and care, but mixed-use commercial and office space aimed at services and amenities for seniors, including a grocer and pharmacy.

Dan Paris of VanCity’s land development division and Gary Pooni on behalf of First Capital and Mitrunen discussed the changes they wanted at council’s afternoon meeting last Monday (July 20).

“We propose some commercial before the residential,” said Pooni to council. “[We] are asking for some flexibility in such difficult times.”

Pooni also sought and received support to increase the size of the anchor tenant to 15,000 from 5,000 square feet.

Councillor Jordan Bateman spoke out against the changes, calling the plan nothing more than another strip mall on 200 Street.

“We don’t need more commercial on 200th Street. We need residents [there] to encourage improvements in transit. We could choose to be a sprawling, commercial strip mall corridor like South Fraser Way, or we could choose to embrace sustainable, Smart Growth principles and stick to our decade-long plan.

“Those stores will only be accessible by cars until the developer gets around to building residential nearby — which could be 10 years off.”

It’s up to the developer when they decide to build.”

The original plan called for residential and commercial to be built at the same time, similar to the Thunderbird Village Mall concept. The plan included a business park as well.

Mayor Rick Green said he didn’t want 200 Street to turn into Scott Road or King George Highway, but the changes the developer is asking for are market driven.

Councillor Mel Kositsky agreed, adding that the Fraser Valley is ‘over built’ for seniors housing.

“The visitors to the Events Centre can cross the street and use the new stores,” he said, adding the bus system to the LEC is new transit for Langley.

Township manager Mark Baaken said it would be difficult to sell residential on top of commercial that is already built. In a report to council, staff said there isn’t enough population to support just commercial there.

“If you ask for highrises right now, [this project] will be deferred for some time,” said Pooni.

Councillor Charlie Fox asked the developers for a timeline for when residential would go in.

“The seniors’ market would have to rebound,” said Pooni, adding he didn’t think it would be up to 10 years, but couldn’t commit to a date.

In the end, council voted in favour of allowing the anchor store to be built without any residential component. Councillors Bateman, Kim Richter and Grant Ward were opposed. Council authorized the inclusion of land lying between 199 Street and Latimer Creek in the plan.