Developer Bob Cheema says the recent OCP public hearing was a strong indication of community support for the development project on the so-called Cheema lands.
Cheema said as many as 95 per cent of the speakers spoke in favor of allowing the company to submit a development application by removing key roadblocks, which were the population caps and the six precursor policies.
“There was a constant theme from the community that we should have an equal opportunity as every other landowner in town to submit our vision to the city. Unlike many other development projects in town that are developer driven, this is the first project that is truly community driven,” Cheema said.
The trails, Cheema said, will be the key centerpiece attraction to the development and crucial to building Canada’s first ride in and ride out mountain bike community.
“Squamish is internationally known for The Chief and as a recreational capital of Canada. For this reason, we have signed a MOU with SORCA, which will further enhance and provide assurance to the community that we will make Squamish even more internationally renowned as we have some of the most world-renowned biking trails on our land,” he added.
Cheema says they will be donating up to 200 acre of land to the district. The district’s growth management strategy maintains a threshold of 34,000 populations for residential buildings in certain areas. District staff says the particular policy is to encourage infill development and limit sprawl.
Councillors Karen Elliott and Doug Race as well as Jason Blackman-Wulff have raised concerns about the Cheema development as they express concerns with the development in town.
Cheema, meanwhile, says the community has spoken clearly in support and he hopes the council will abide by the community wishes and preferences so the company can submit an application now.
Terence Chung says
Need more affordable housing in Squamish. City council should heed the public’s advice on development in their community.
James says
Mountain biking hub is exactly what this city needs. The community has spoken and I think it’s time for them to finally be heard.
Mindy Minhas says
This will be a great development for the community, this vision Mr. Cheema has for the community is one that will bring more recognition to the area in a very positive way. Along with a very generous 200 acres being donated to the district and making the trails the main attraction, I hope the council can come together and see the great upside this development can bring to the community.
Jaden Khang says
Ive lived in this community for 13 years and we need this project to happen. There are so many benefits towards the community in many different ways. Everyone supports this project but the council is not doing anything about it. There is overwhelming community support to start this project. I would like to see the first mountain bike community built after my experience in Squamish.
Jim says
Sounds good to me.
Colin says
I was at the public hearings and the people who stood up in support all had an obvious vested financial interest in dismantling Squamish’s growth straagy. There were many who obviously had been paid by someone to go up and repeat the same canned speech. The whole thing was a bit gross and an affront to our democracy and process. Saying that there is overwhelmingly community support is a stretch at best.
Ethan says
just because the public overwhelmingly supports them and there was literally only 2 people that spoke against, I repeat only TWO people out of all the speakers, u want to cry and make such ridiculous accusation is just amazing.
Colin why didn’t you get up and speak in favour of infill development? I don’t remember seeing you getting up and speaking against them and in support of infill development.
People that came to the hearing are the ones that participated in democracy and should have thier voices heard. Those people that were to lazy and only want to whine and complain from their keyboards did not have thier voices heard and it’s thier fault they didn’t attend the public hearing and participate in the democratic process.
Adam Causwell says
I was there too Colin, and you are either lying, or you only stayed a few minutes. There were several people who spoke in favor of the Cheemas based on recreation interests, and out of an interest in fair process. Support may not be 100%, and perhaps overwhelming is an exaggeration, but the Cheemas have received a lot of support from the community….including the six people here versus your one slanted voice. Nice try.