Westhills

Westhills is a new neighbourhood designed to foster a strong sense of community, encourage human interaction and satisfy the needs of daily living within a few minutes of every front door.

An array of measures has been put in place to protect and enhance the natural environment in ways that allow residents to enjoy and appreciate all nature has to offer. If you believe there are many facets of old-fashioned neighbourhoods that offered residents a richer community life then Westhills may be the home you’ve been searching for. If you also believe that life is not restricted but enriched by living green then Westhills is definitely the home for you.

Community Design

The Westhills lands are comprised of 517 acres (209 ha) of rolling, sloped lands, knolls and rocky outcroppings. Previous owners logged the land and the remaining vegetation is a mix of trees and scrub brush.

The Master Plan for Westhills is based on Traditional Neighbourhood Design and LEED™-Neighbourhood Development criteria combined to create a healthy community from every perspective.

There will be three distinct neighbourhoods at Westhills. Each will offer a range of housing that includes single-family homes, town homes and condominiums. Two of the neighbourhoods will have easy access to their own Neighbourhood Centers; the third will be within a 5–10 minute walk of the Town Center.

Master Plan

The Westhills Master Plan is the result of Langford’s Mayor Young, Council and the community’s desire to have the best planned, development based on LEED and TND standards. The plan was enthusiastically embraced by the owners of the Westhills land and the team assembled to bring the vision to fruition.

With cooperation from the City of Langford, the US Green Building Council and the Canadian Green Building Council, the BC Ministry of Community Services and the Design Centre for Sustainability at University of British Columbia, an exciting community plan emerged that follows the principals of Traditional Neighbourhood Design (TND) adjusted to preserve the sloped site’s natural features.

Westhills is in part a response to rapid growth demands on southern Vancouver Island and the desire to ensure growth is accommodated in a way that enhances all life in Canada’s most desirable region. Vital components of the Westhills plan include design elements and community initiatives that create and nurture a strong sense of community and a strategy that incorporates leading-edge environmental technologies.

The 20-year plan features 6,000 homes and a variety of commercial, retail, educational, and cultural offerings arranged in a pedestrian friendly environment that encourages walking and cycling on sidewalks, dedicated lanes, shared streets or via a myriad of paths and trails. A variety of home styles, sizes and ownership options will ensure a diverse community that welcomes people of all ages and income levels.

The overarching direction given to all contributors of the plan is the creation of a unique, beautiful and definable place governed by environmental responsibility, social richness and economic prosperity. The development team recognize that, once built, this community will exist for hundreds of years and they insist Westhills be one of the region’s cherished places.

Westhills Homes

In a step towards fulfilling Westhills’ commitment to build a responsible and resource-efficient community, single family home sites will range from 200 sq m (2153 sq ft) to 1000 sq m (10,764 sq ft) with the majority being 370 sq m (4,000 sq ft), perfectly sized for easier care and more responsible use of precious resources than standard lot sizes. Both single-family and townhomes will be offered in a variety of sizes and styles designed to accommodate an array of income levels and family structures. These homes will be built to energy efficient BuiltGreen™ standards. Multi-family and commercial buildings will be built to LEED™ standards.

Roads & Rails

Westhills road standards vary from conventional standards. Neighbourhood road widths are reduced to support the pedestrian focus. Connector roads and parkways have been ‘greened up’ to create a more enjoyable pedestrian experience and minimize environmental impacts.

The plan features an abundance of interconnected trails so that movement within Westhills can be done enjoyably by foot or on bike. These trails connect with adjacent city and regional trail networks.

The historical E & N Rail line connects most of Vancouver Island and runs through Westhills’ northernmost edge. The company is actively engaged with other community groups in revitalizing rail services so they serve as an efficient commuter link. A train from Langford to downtown Victoria currently takes approximately 25 minutes, although an upgraded rail infrastructure could reduce this time by as much as 10 minutes. The rail has recently become the beneficiary of funding for the creation of a pedestrian and bike route alongside the tracks, which offers residents even healthier choices when traveling to and from area communities.

The pace of development will be subject, in part, to market conditions and is expected to take approximately 20 years to complete. The construction of infrastructure is underway and buildings will follow in 2008.