The Langley Prairie/Apex School site is back on the market — but with a few new stipulations.

After offering for sale the 4.17-acre parcel of land at 20065 Fraser Highway in July, the City of Langley has “decided to re-issue the public offering to secure a more favourable proposal in the best interest of the City and the community,” according to a statement released by the City on Thursday.

Under the new offer, a minimum of .65 acres must be set aside for public use and include a number of amenities.

“An integral component of the development will be the provision of a public open space, and the City will work with the community to develop the programming, which may include picnic tables, benches, community garden, jogging area, children’s playground, and leashed or off-leash dog area,” said Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender.

Last summer, Langley City solicited proposals from interested parties to develop the former Langley Prairie/Apex School.

The announcement was immediately met with concern from area residents, who feared the site could be developed into a highrise condominium complex with as many as 24-storeys — the maximum allowed under the City’s downtown master plan.

Residents of the Huntington complex, located behind the Langley Prairie site, and other two to four-storey apartment buildings on 201 Street expressed opposition to skyscrapers and Brian Nicholson, a resident representing Huntington, spoke out against the idea at the July 6 meeting of City council.

“High-rises are not suitable where we are. We need green spaces. Take a look around the City, it’s pretty grey,” he said at the time.

The original call for proposals closed on July 30, and although those received “generally met the potential use of the land,” the City has decided to try again. This time, it has added the requirement that a portion of the land be set aside for the public.

In a press release, Fassbender thanked the Langley Prairie Preservation Coalition for their submission in response to the original Offer to Purchase and reassured them that a balanced approach will be taken in determining the most appropriate use for the site.

The successful proponent is also expected to partner with the City to develop the dedicated public open space and integrate Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) security measures to further enhance the proposed development and meet the needs of the community.