On December 3, 2025, a court ruled that the Township of Langley must reconsider its previous rejection of a rezoning application by West Creek Farms Ltd. The original council vote — which effectively blocked the supplier’s operations — was deemed “unreasonable.”

The reversal means the Council can’t simply stand by the original decision; they must revisit the matter with proper justification.

Why the Council Tried To Block the Supplier — And Why the Court Rejected It

Council’s Concerns

The Township’s rejection was grounded in arguments about “competition” and “land-use fairness.” According to the Council, allowing West Creek Farms to operate could disadvantage other local businesses or disrupt land-use norms.

Such arguments reflect a longstanding tension in municipal governance: balancing support for existing local business networks versus allowing larger or more commercial-scale operations to proceed.

Court’s Decision: “Unreasonable” Given the Evidence

In its decision, the court found that the Council’s rationale didn’t hold up under scrutiny. In particular, it said the evidence before council did not justify the rejection based on competition or land-use. The court found no conflict of interest, but labeled the original decision “unreasonable.”

Legally, this means the Council must now approach the matter again — with a new vote, this time grounded in findings that meet required legal standards.

Why This Case Matters Beyond One Farm Supplier

Although this case centers on a single business, observers say it could set a precedent affecting other municipalities across British Columbia.

What’s at stake

• Fairness and consistency in municipal decisions: The ruling reinforces that municipal councils can’t use vague arguments about “competition” or “fairness” when denying a business without solid, objective evidence.
• Rights of established businesses: West Creek Farms isn’t a new player — it has operated for years and is described as an important supplier for many growers. Blocking its operations could disrupt supply chains in the agriculture and nursery industry.
• Municipal accountability: This demonstrates that courts can intervene when local government decisions are poorly justified, maintaining a check on municipal power.
• Implications for future zoning/land-use decisions: Other businesses in similar situations may now challenge rezoning or land-use decisions under the same logic, pushing municipalities to be more rigorous in their rationale.

What Happens Next: A New Vote — What to Watch For

Because of the court order, the Township of Langley must hold a new vote on the West Creek Farms rezoning. That means:

• The Council must present a clear, evidence-based rationale if it plans to reject the application again.
• There may be further public hearings or consultations — especially given this issue’s visibility and the supply-chain implications for growers and plant-wholesalers.
• The decision could influence how other municipalities handle land-use and business-regulation cases in the future — especially when “competition” or “local-business fairness” is cited as justification.

As one community newsletter covering Langley noted, “The decision marks a rare judicial intervention into municipal decision-making processes.”

What This Means for Residents, Farmers, and Local Businesses

• For growers, nurseries, and agricultural businesses that rely on West Creek — this development offers hope that the supply network remains intact.
• For municipalities and councils, this ruling underscores the need for stronger, evidence-based decision-making when regulating land use and business operations.
• For residents and community members, it highlights the importance of transparency and fairness when local governments make decisions that affect essential services or supply chains.

Bottom Line

The court’s decision to require a re-examination of the vote against West Creek Farms restores a degree of fairness and due process to the zoning and rezoning system in the Township of Langley. It also serves as a reminder that municipal decisions — especially those affecting long-standing businesses — must be justified on objective grounds, not vague notions of competition or fairness.

As the Council prepares to vote again, many B.C. businesses and communities will be watching closely. The outcome may reshape how land-use and business regulation are governed in the province going forward.