By Astrid Anderson
Published: June 23, 2012
I am disappointed that the concerns regarding density and potential alternate traffic routes to future developments on the south end of the land area in question have been taken so lightly by the Planning Department.
Oh yes, the estimated costs of needed road construction is in the report; but surely no developer will spend up to $7 million on a bridge across the Blind Channel!
And as for upgrades to Scott Crescent, there is no mention of concern regarding the large increase in the traffic on Clarke Drive, where part of it is a narrow residential street with no room for expansion.
Also, the traffic from all of Hospital Hill, the hospital and Valleycliffe will end up in a funnel to the Highway.
The District of Squamish and various owners of the land on the east side of the Highway should have discussed the access to Hwy 99 before it was made into divided lanes.
As it is now, there is no room for a proper turning lane coming in from the south or a safe lane going north. Besides, a very costly Corridor Trail bike path is crossing the highway access at Scott Crescent.
May common sense regarding the report and future development prevail! High density housing is not a good “Welcome to Squamish” sign. I believe the area should remain ‘Tourist-Commercial’.
The Planning Department and Council must return to the principles of Smart Growth – “Live, Work and Play” in the same community. Promoting commuter, high density developments does not a community make!
Nate Dolha says
Isn’t a redevelopment of a brownfield site, within municipal limits smart growth? According to Smart Growth BC it is…
http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/Default.aspx?tabid=133
Eric Andersen says
Nate: The larger, “Vernon” lot on the south side of Scott Crescent owned by Kingswood is not a brownfield site; and nor is the adjacent former motel site parcel. These are both zoned Tourist-Commercial. The previous council reaffirmed this zoning designation for the Vernon lot. The only uses any owner has ever made of these two land parcels have been tourist-commercial in nature.
Nate Dolha says
Eric, the point I was making is that development here is in line with Smart Growth principals – It is not greenfield, is not sprawl, and is well positioned for multiple modes of transportation. In the OCP it is classed as downtown, and future development of the site should be treated as such.
The access issue can be solved, we just need to be open to new ideas and the idea that roads will see traffic…