The environment, farm protection, and traffic are key issues for residents near two developments linked to Langley's Trinity Western University.

On Monday, the Township council held public hearings on both projects. One, an expansion of the university campus to the northwest side of Glover Road, drew concern about its impacts on the Salmon River and farmland.

The other, a housing development to the south of the campus, drew similar complaints, but also enraged neighbours worried about a bad traffic situation becoming even worse.

The expansion of the university requires an amendment to the official community plan and would create a "university district," using three properties.

The district would include "learning, recreational, cultural, employment and housing opportunities," according to the Township.

But it was the environment and local planning that was on the minds of many nearby residents.

Lesley Dyson noted that developers can build a new subdivision in a few months, but not everything can be so easily constructed.

"How long would it take for us to make arable land and fresh water?" she asked.

Like many others, she questioned the effects development on the land would have on the Salmon River, which runs nearby.

Doug McFee of the Salmon River Enhancement Society also questioned the creation of a new university area in the rural land between Milner and Fort Langley.

"It sounds a lot to me like piecemeal planning," he said.

Gary Reid, a nearby resident, wondered about the boundaries of the district, and how far they might reach.

"I live on Labonte [Avenue]," he said, of the side street that runs past the proposed district. "Am I in the university district?"

He called for clear boundaries for the district.

Oleg Verbenkov, a senior planner with the Pacific Land Group, which is working with TWU on the project, said the land is needed for the continued growth of the private university.

A related development just to the southeast attracted the ire of even more residents.

The Wall family is proposing a 67 unit subdivision, plus a number of coach house rental units, for farmland near TWU.

The main access out of the neighbourhood would be the intersection of 72nd Avenue and 232nd Street, and existing residents said that intersection is already too dangerous, and doubling traffic will not help.

Several pointed to a traffic study, during which a T-bone crash took place at the busy corner.

More Langley residents, like Patricia Tallman, wondered why the Township would develop housing far from streetlights, sidewalks, or any stores, in the middle of a rural lot.

"I want to see this stay what it is. I want to see crops planted here," said Larri Woodrow, who said the salmon in the nearby river need to be protected from deveopment.

TWU supports the proposal, saying it will increase housing potentially available for students and faculty, and will be linked to the campus by walking trails.

The Agricultural Land Commission has already given tentative approval for both projects to have land removed from the ALR.

More residents can speak about the plans on Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. An extension to the hearing was added due to the bad weather Monday, which might have kept some people away.