When Langford couple Ashley and Kevin Halldorson wake up each morning and look out their bedroom window, they are confronted with the “depressing” sight of a pile of rubble.
Piles of wood, metal, bricks and general waste, half-heartedly covered with a blue tarp, has been the scene next to the couple's home since February, when property developers demolished a vacant house on Arncote Avenue, and seemingly walked away.
The site now attracts illegal dumping, and locals have complained of a rise in rodent activity in the area.
Hazardous waste, such as asbestos, has also been confirmed to be among the rubble.
The potential risk to health has discouraged the Halldorsons from enjoying their home to its full potential.
“I used to be able to enjoy my side yard with my dog,” said Ashley. “But we don't want to go out anymore."
The couple say they are hesitant to invite people over to their home.
“[Kevin’s] mom thinks we live in complete squalor,” said Ashley, who has been raising her concerns with Langford’s bylaw department on a monthly basis. “We really want to be proud of [our home].”
When they purchased their home in 2020, the couple say they were aware the land next-door was earmarked for development.
“But we weren't expecting this,” said Ashley. “I didn't know people were allowed to do this. It’s one thing to have an empty house, it’s another thing to to have just a pile of rubble.”
For Kevin, the site harks back to a time when Langford didn’t have the best of reputations, a time when derelict houses and cars on cinder blocks in front yards was a common sight, he says.
“It feels like going back in time,” said Kevin.
Their neighbours agree.
Speaking at a City of Langford meeting on Dec. 16, Yasmin Hernandez described living near the site as “unbearable, depressing and demoralizing” for the neighbourhood.
“We feel that we live in a junkyard,” said Darlene Oudot, another Arncote Avenue resident. “We, along with everyone else pay for taxes, and it's very hard to have pride in your home when you live in this area.”
The land is owned by Langford Gateway Developments Inc., who originally proposed to build 22- and 18-storey towers on land they purchased on Arncote Avenue, Peatt and Sunderland roads.
The 840 Arncote Ave. site is earmarked as the new home for the Langford 50 and Up Club, currently located on Sunderland Road.
Ongoing complaints from residents about the derelict site have prompted action from Langford’s bylaw team, who have made attempts to work with the property owner to encourage a cleanup of the site.
An environmental assessment of the site carried out in October, has confirmed there are “significant accumulations of contaminated and combustible demolition waste,” including asbestos and lead paints.
“Given the presence of these contaminants, staff believe that the property also presents potential safety hazards,” said a report to council, submitted by Lorne Fletcher, manager, community safety and municipal enforcement.
Twenty-five fines have been issued by bylaw to Langford Gateway Developments Inc. since July 2024, amounting to $10,500.
“[We] eventually had to go to the point where we were issuing penalties in order to get the attention of that developer,” said Fletcher at the meeting.
Only the first three fines have been paid, leaving an outstanding amount of $9,900.
“We’ve had radio silence beyond that,” said Fletcher. “That to us indicated that they were not interested, they're not willing to be involved in any sort of cleanup of the situation.”
In a move described as "positive" and "long overdue" by affected residents, the city’s bylaw enforcement department has recommended declaring the site as a “nuisance and a hazard” and imposing remedial action requirements.
From the date the notice is served, Langford Gateway Developments Inc. will have 30 days to respond and begin to take action.
If work is not carried out to remove all rubbish, debris and accumulations of combustible demolition waste containing environmental contaminants, the city will complete the required work at the owner’s expense.
Councillors unanimously backed the move at the Dec. 16 meeting.
“I think that we've raised expectations in Langford with the changes that we've seen over the last 20 to 25 years,” said Coun. Lillian Szpak. “People expect to have nice streetscapes and tidy building lots … I agree people shouldn't have to put up with the sense of danger and mess and rodents …”
“Hopefully it'll send a signal that we are just not the wild west when it comes to development,” added Coun. Colby Harder. “Our residents expect to feel respected.”
The decision has come as a welcome relief for the Halldorsons, who hope the city’s intervention will bring a swift resolution.
Hearing their neighbours share the same concerns also brought comfort to the couple.
"I kind of felt like I was the only one sending monthly emails to bylaw,” said Ashley. “I guess this kind of brings us together as a community, knowing that we're all having to deal with this.”
Vancouver-based Cynterra Group, the development company behind Langford Gateway Developments Inc., was approached for comment.