Langley and Island County announce infrastructure and design updates

The city of Langley is launching a public visual preference survey from September 11 to 28 to help modernize its building design standards. The initiative follows a 2023 Washington State Legislature bill requiring cities to implement clear and objective exterior design regulations for new developments under the Growth Management Act. Director of Community Planning Meredith Penny stated the current standards are too vague for consistent enforcement, and the survey aims to identify community values regarding building styles for commercial, institutional, and multifamily structures.

In a separate development, Island County commissioners have approved a $5.4 million project to widen the shoulders of Highway 20 in Central Whidbey. The project, which realigns 1.9 miles of highway between Welcher and Race roads, will be funded largely by a federal Surface Transportation Block Grant covering 86.5% of the costs. The widening is intended to improve safety for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians in an area where minimal shoulders have long been considered a hazard.