By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Oct. 6, 2012
Citing unfavourable market conditions, a steady stream of developers have approached the district to extend development permits.
The latest to ask and receive such an extension is a residential development project, Parkview, located at 1150, Bailey Street in downtown Squamish.
At a regular council meeting on Oct. 2, the Squamish council voted unanimously to grant a one-year development permit extension to Parkview, a 65-unit residential project.
Parkview would feature a combination of one and two bedroom units.
The proponent, Tom Maltman, cited adverse market conditions in Squamish as the reason for the extension.
This would be the third time this project has received a development permit extension.
This residential project had first received the required zoning and the development permit in 2008.
Coun. Doug Race supported the motion, but said this was the third renewal and it might not be appropriate to renew it.
“At some point, we need to cut this off,” he said.
Coun. Ted Prior said it was the first time the project came before this council, and he was happy to grant such an extension.
Prior acknowledged there have been several permit extensions requests that have come before the council.
“It’s a tough economy and the council understands it,” he said.
Heintzman held similar view.
“There were a lot of developments that started, but then they got hit by recession, and the market is just not there to support it,” she said.
Staff too supported keeping the permit alive for one more year.
Requests for such extensions by developers have come up regularly in council chambers.
Here is just a random collection of such requests.
In April this year, the council voted unanimously to grant an extension to Diamond Head Land Company for their property located north-west of the intersection of Westway Ave and Plateau Drive in Valleycliffe.
In January this year, a development permit given to Ramada Inn was granted a one-year extension in January.
A development permit for the 81-room Ramada Inn hotel was first approved by the council in 2008.
Similarly, the development permit for property located on 38044 on Second Ave was granted a one-year extension.
Similar such requests have come before the council in 2011.
Valleycliffer says
I sure hope Diamond Head continues with their development of Crumpet Woods since they’ve already bulldozed the forest there.
Craig says
The adverse market conditions will continue for some time. Squamish doesn’t need this condo inventory yet.
informed citizen says
I hope council and staff will consider this when new rezonings and development permits are asked for.