By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Feb. 25, 2012
One of the most important, and perhaps one of the most contentious issues, facing Squamish was passionately debated by the community at the Howe Sound Pub on Thursday, Feb.23.
In a community workshop organised by the District of Squamish, about 80 people turned up to express their view on the policies that should guide transportation, environmental sustainability, public amenities, and land use planning on the Upper Mamquam Blind Channel.
District of Squamish staff, Chris Bishop and Sabrina Foofat, along with Vancouver-based consultant took notes while residents debated future possibilities for the channel on all fronts.
It’s a passionate subject for the community, and it might have been hard for some residents to get a word in the edge wise as people went from one table to the other ardently debating the possibilities.
Still, the exercise was a good gauge to find out what the community wants on the Channel.
Officially, a comprehensive policy on the Upper Mamquam Blind Channel has been five years in the making.
In 2007, the district of Squamish passed a resolution to start a planning process that will identify, “solutions that protect the value of the neighbourhood and accommodate appropriate development.”
In November last year, council scrapped six land-use options that were brought forward to them, and directed staff to go back to the community.
The council had expressed concern that land-use planning might have been too ‘develop-centric’.
Traffic volume and safety, natural habitat and environment, east-west connection and rezoning are some of the issues that the community wants addressed before any development can go there.
If Upper Mamquam Blind Channel is being discussed, can talk about Kingswood development be far behind ?
Kingswood is often at the centre of these discussions and Thursday night was no different.
Although John Moonen was on hand answering questions, he didn’t comment on possible solutions for access to their proposed development.
“This is not about Kingswood. This is about the whole Upper Mamquam Blind Channel, and we have put things on hold for that,” he said.
Still, the Kingswood proposal and its ramifications—traffic, access, housing density–were on the minds of many who attended the meeting.
There were those who desire it to be a green zone, an idyllic shared community space that it is now.
Then there were those who want the go-ahead for Kingswood. Then there are others who want something other than housing.
John Lowe from Squamish Mills was one of those who believes Kingswood should be allowed to build 400 condo units.
“Why are we trying to stifle them? We need businesses to grow in this town,” he said.
He also suggested building a road or a trail along the channel that loops around to the adventure centre.
John Harvey said high density on Mamquam Blind Channel is acceptable as long the road access issue can be solved.
Commercial realtor John Jervis said the district must give a fresh look to the C-3 tourist-commercial zoning.
Eric Andersen, too, said the district must revisit OCP land use designations, not just on Scott Crescent, but for the entire town.
“Why high density housing on such a scale as proposed? And is it really feasible to obtain workable, safe vehicle access for so many housing units? Should we not examine the bigger picture for scarce, well-located Tourist-Commercial zoned property along our highway?”
Eric Andersen says
I very much appreciate the Question Marks at the end each of my quoted …questions. Questions is what they are. I’m not anti-development, or anti- high density housing development. I simply have have not heard clear answers to these questions. And I notice that I’m not at all alone in this. AND I see some solutions and win-win ideas on some issues — that there doesn’t seem to be a forum or dialogue opportunity for.