Developer to conduct traffic study in Garibaldi Estates

District of Squamish will ask the developer of a proposed apartment building on Tantalus Road to complete a traffic impact study for the area.

At a meeting last month, council raised concerns about the increase in traffic in the neighbourhood and the impact the new building would have in an area known for traffic bottlenecks.

The district received a rezoning application for an 166-unit, eight-storey market rental condo development on Tantalus Road in January.

The traffic study will focus on the intersection of Garibaldi Estates and Tantalus Road as well as on the intersection of Garibaldi Way and Highway 99.

According to district staff, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has also raised concerns about the intersection and called for a traffic impact study.

The intersection was a bit of a gong show, said Mayor Karen Elliott.

“We know this area is problematic and MOTI is also concerned, and I think a traffic study should be done prior to a second reading,” she said.

Councillor Jenna Stoner echoed her comments and said the traffic impact study needed to be cumulative

“I realise we can’t hold one specific developer for cumulative impact, but this region is getting to tipping point and this may be the breaking point because there has been so much growth and they cant handle it. We need a cumulative traffic impact study and before the second reading,” she said.

Councillors were also concerned about building height and a need for more affordable housing.

Councillor Doug Race said eight buildings were too big for the area and he would be happier with less residential, which would also reduce the need for parking.

“I’m not in favour of reduction for parking when it comes to residential and I would also improve the ratio of employment as there is too much residential her and traffic is a concern. This becomes death by a thousands cuts and there is going to be more development possibilities here,” he said.

Councillor Armand Hurford said the proposed development was on a greenfield site and he was not happy with the request for parking reduction. “I do like the active transportation connections and I am happy to see the rental housing is good although affordable housing would be much better,” he said.

Councillor Chris Pettingill said although density was important, there had to be a change and it had to be gradual.

Mayor Elliott also expressed her concerns about building height and the need for more affordable units in the building.

District staff will now discuss the terms of reference of the traffic impact study with the developer, with focus on Garibaldi Way and Tantalus Road.