While issuing a development permit for a rental building in downtown, District of Squamish councillors voted to grant six variances — including cash-in-lieu for ten parking spaces.
The project at the former Squamish Budget Inn site at 38012 Third Avenue is a district priority because of the project being an all-rental building.
The developer asked for six variances — 10 parking spots paid in cash, an increase in height, reduction in office space, waiving off of a loading bay requirement, a variation in setback and indoor amenity space.
The development will provide 67 rental units, of which 33 will be two-bedroom units, one three-bedroom unit and the rest one-bedroom units.
Councillor Chris Pettingill asked staff if the decision to grant parking and employment variances were backed by data.
Kerry Hamilton, a planner with the DOS, said there were a number of studies underway, including engineering study, on the issue of parking.
“There is also work to be done around the zoning bylaw as well as our parking regulation,” she said.
“We have a lack of data to help us. We are thinking about all the aspects about finding the balance of losing parking and keeping parking and alternatives to parking. We have done that to make sure it (the proposal) is practical with the variance.”
Councillor Eric Andersen asked if the staff had thought of allocating some of the cash-in-lieu payment towards a downtown parking facility fund.
District planner Hamilton said that the idea was considered, but the money was allocated for alternative transportation.
“Because of the location of the site being on the Third Avenue bike way, and with the cross section of the Victoria Avenue, which are both streetscapes that need to be upgraded for cycling, we thought the money would be needed for those upgrades,” she said.
Councillor Jenna Stoner said citizens are concerned about parking in downtown.
“I look forward to the parking study coming forward, and I am looking forward to having that conversation in council,” she said.
Councillor Doug Race said he was initially concerned about the lack of setbacks and reduction in employment space, but said he could live with those variances.
“I can live with that trade-off in exchange for rental accommodation, because that is needed on the housing spectrum,” he said.
Councillor Armand Hurford said he too was overwhelmed with the number of variances, but expressed confidence that staff and proponents are striking the right balance to move things forward.
With Councillor Pettingill, the motion to issue a development permit was supported by council.
