Whether it’s a homeowner, a business or a developer, everyone wants to get the best value for their investment. And yet how do we square the public need with private interest and the inherent conflict they generate?
Take one of the hottest issue in town — parking.
Businesses would like more and developers want to offer less. This is where we will have to turn to Squamish council with the hope that they will be striking the right balance.
For if the council keeps giving parking variances they have, our local businesses are bound to suffer.
Let me state a fact: Parking in the downtown is plugged most times of the day. Nine times of out ten, there isn’t a space to be found within a short walk of the intended destination. Most businesses know what this could mean.
Frustrated customers start avoiding the area and try to shop elsewhere, eventually hurting the businesses that are supposed to benefit from the building and the population boom.
Meanwhile, you can’t really blame developers from trying to maximize their return on the product they provide, especially when they know district’s cash-in-lieu policies will make it easy for them to provide money rather than parking.
And once you start offering those deals, all that is left is more deals to make. There are more than a few examples of parking variances being asked for and given in Downtown Squamish. Now, the parking variances are being sought in other parts of the town as well, in Valleycliffe as well as Brackendale.
Recently, in the quest to create attainable housing, especially in the rental market, council has enacted that a percentage of housing developments should be “affordable”.
These units provide a lower return on investment, as they may well be rentals in perpetuity and as such are subject to the rules and regulations of the Rental Tenancy Act.
This model, however, isn’t exactly suited for Squamish. If we were in downtown Vancouver this would make a lot of sense, where there is better infrastructure for commuting and travel, and it is easy to get all amenities in a quick stroll.
But we’re not in Vancouver, and nor do we have the advanced transit systems and car-sharing options that the residents of Vancouver have access to. A couple moving into Downtown Squamish is more likely to have two cars than a couple who live in the core of Vancouver, where it is possible to live a car-free existence.
A couple living in a one-bedroom condo in Downtown Squamish may have just one parking spot, but it is likely they have another car parked on the street. I won’t even talk about where the workers, tourists and guests of the residents will find parking in Downtown Squamish.
It is imperative that District of Squamish council listen to the concerns of citizens and especially businesses who feel frustrated with parking variances being regularly granted for new developments in town.
Ihor Zalubniak is a local realtor.
Rick King says
Your comments are spot on. Highly unlikely though that council understands. Most of council do not live downtown or for that matter do not shop downtown. So they don’t really care. Most on council share the 3 principles of failure.
1. Lack of knowledge
2. Entrenched habits
3. Limited vision
Our town has been sold out to developers.
Corinne Lonsdale says
Well said Ihor! I do not understand why Council seems to think we need to grow our population at lightening speed. Our Bylaws and OCP were meant to be followed. They were meant to be in place for more than a few years. We, who have lived here for a number of years, are sorry to lose the sense of community that we were so proud of. I hardly know Squamish anymore. Neighbourhoods are being destroyed. As you say developers will do their utmost to get the maximum density off a piece of property. That is natural and to be expected. What should not be expected is a Council, who was elected by the community to listen to the community and act accordingly. They seem to have forgotten that and unfortunately with 4 year terms we are hooped. Before the longer 4 term of office Council had to be more responsive to the citizens. 3 years was ok but now they can do what they like for 2 years and a bit before they sit back and cool it for the next 2. The voters forget what they did in the first couple of years and re elect them. Shameful but it happens everywhere. Please no more variances or rezonings for parking, height, setbacks, etc.
Judi says
I support your comments Corrine & Ihor, parking is sadly lacking in Squamish and our present council seems to only be making it worse! Construction workers are now using traffic pylons to save their parking spots on Cleveland Ave. so they can drive their big trucks somewhere else to get their lunches and then get their spot back when they return to work. Meanwhile we have to park farther away and limp to the Medical Clinics & Dentist offices. Where is your compassion for the Seniors that don’t qualify for handicap permits? NO MORE PARKING VARIENCES!!!!!!!!!
Joanna Schwarz says
I wrote council a few years ago. I said the parking downtown is so abysmal, I rarely shop there anymore (except for groceries and that’s easy parking) and do most of my shopping in the Estates. I feel sorry for the businesses who lose out downtown.
Donny says
The Staff have got counsel convinced that the way to deal with the automobile is to reduce parking and the cars will disappear. This appeals to counsel because granting variances generates money. It has long been known that Squamish is for sale. Just watch, Brakendale has already been sold.
Eric Andersen says
As a Council member who picks up mail Downtown, shops Downtown, and hears regularly of the experiences of seniors and people with clinic appointments Downtown, I get it. I can only encourage people to write to Council. This is how your issues can be brought to a Council meeting agenda, giving councillors opportunity to speak to the content of the letter.