By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Jan. 21, 2013
With new owners, the 43-lot subdivision at Newport Ridge drive finally moves ahead this year.
Squamish council gave fourth reading to the application by Holborn group for a small-lot subdivision in the Garibaldi Estates area.
The fourth reading now allows for a single-family residential dwelling on small strata lots of 300 square metres, or 3,229 square feet.
The plans for this subdivision have trundled along for two years now, but have finally met approval from council after new developers stuck to the old plan of just 43 lots.
Holborn bought the property to subdivide for land from Townline Ventures.
Townline Ventures, readers might recall, tried to work out a deal with developer Doug Day to rezone some portions of the former golf course into 180 small lots.
They also offered to build a road to Garibaldi Highlands, providing an access to the Highlands, where it also owns another property.
Squamish residents, meanwhile, were offered a gift of a 100-acre park, an offer that was rejected by the council, prompting angry retorts by Day.
Day still hasn’t forgiven the slight.
He now plans to revive his golf course, while delinking himself from Newport project.
“In the past, there was a deal to sell some of my Garibaldi Springs lands to Townline/Holborn but those arrangements are no longer in effect and none further are contemplated,” he said.
District staff has been supportive of the small-lot subdivision, although the idea isn’t appealing to the neighbours who fear an increase in traffic and reduction in their property values.
The small-lot subdivision on Newport Ridge satisfied smart growth criteria and fulfilled the most needed form of development, the planning staff noted.
“The proposed subdivision works well with surrounding uses and is within easy walking distance of amenities such as parks, trails, personal and commercial services as well as emergency services,” the staff noted.
That description isn’t as exciting for Donald Bryne, who lives close by on Regency Place.
Bryne said it was bad precedent to change the zoning from regular lots to small lots.
“It will increase traffic on Newport Ridge Drive and reduce the value and expectations of all 38 owners who bought large lots here over the last 17 years,” he said.
“The precedent will encourage other developers to try the same and is also a very bad backward step for Squamish.”
The Holborn group representatives didn’t respond to questions sent by the Reporter on the timing of the project and the number of lots, etc.
Timothy Hng, business development manager for Holborn, said the name of the project hasn’t been finalised.
“As soon as we have decided on the name, we will let you know, he said.
Jane Iverson says
Small lot single family dwellings make more sense than continuing to allow high density condo’s that are a dime a dozen. This may make detached housing more accessible to young people trying to break into home ownership, with better resale value than a condo as well.
Nate Dolha says
I hope other developers continue with denser developments, as these types of developments make more efficient use of our infrastructure and finite resources. The notion that these homes will cause downward pressure on surrounding property values is pure fallacy, and in research conducted around North America, it was found that the opposite is true.
By mixing in many housing types to cover folks in any stage of life makes for a stronger, more inclusive community.
Dave says
I don’t care if higher density “makes sense”. I don’t want it. I want a large lot and lots of space.
Dave says
I agree with Jane and Nate here.
Yes this is excellent. The lots are not that small anyway. Our 3 bedroom house in the highlands has a footprint of a mere 1100 square feet, so such mentioned planned lots with similar sized houses on them will provde adequate yard space…just forget the pool, granny anex and horse paddock! If you can’t have a vegetable garden then rent a space in our fast developing community gardens and be content with a few flowers and a small patio. Enjoy our wonderful mountain scenery.
Time to turn our backs on the the greedy complainers and give the young a chance at owning their own homes.
This will not affect the property values of existing lots unless your house is way too big or your yard is just too vast. ….”Times they are a changin’ ” Diversity in any community is healthy anyway.
Dave says
Other people have other needs. Not all of us are content with small families and small one car families. For any couple with four kids, all of which drive there own cars, small crappy lots w no driveways and a postage stamp yards this just doesn’t work. Lets get some balanced development.
Dave says
Apparently not. You can have all of these great things and I am glad that you can but you don’t have to deny others a start in the property market. Maybe you had it from the start but some are less fortunate. These lots are not “crappy” in size. Part of my family lives in Vancouver on a 35ft. frontage by 90ft deep lot in a house of 1200 square feet. It is worth 2 million dollars and the neighbours are not complaining, with much larger lots and houses. Everything is relative. Try not to be so selfish and perhaps consider moving. You seem to be able to afford it. Please look up the studies on how these smaller lots affect the property values of adjacent lots like yours..you might be surprised
The other Dave
Nate Dolha says
The thing is, no one is taking away the abundant mega lots and McMansions, just adding some other choices to the marketplace. The district, through it’s zoning bylaws, has ensured there will always be plenty of big lots in town, as the frontage requirements for subdivision is just a tiny bit larger than the standard 65′ Squamish lot.
When we start adding up what it will cost to replace the services, I do hope that these large properties, with the additional strain they place in our resources, are assessed a larger chunk of the bill vs. folks who live on a denser footprint. Under the current utility system, these more efficient developments are subsidizing the less dense developments, and this needs to stop. By all means, have the big property, just be willing to pay the true costs. If this happens, I’d be willing to bet attitudes will change…