Mayor Karen Elliott recently responded to a 12-year-old Brackendale resident who raised concerns about the proposed rental apartment building in the neighborhood.
Finn, who didn’t provide a last name, said parking was already restricted in the area and adding two four-storey buildings seem like a “really bad idea”.
Finn said he was encouraged to write to the Mayor after she had visited his school and had asked the children to write to her if they had an issue with something. Finn pointed out that there were 421 signatures on a petition that raised concerns about the development.
Elliott wrote back to Finn, saying the Brackendale development wasn’t a zoning decision, and the zoning for the land was already in place, and allowed the developer to build what was being proposed.
“I hear that many people don’t like this development and I will get all the feedback our staff collect from people that submit comments before a decision comes to Council,” Mayor wrote.
“There is the possibility that this developer, or the next developer who buys the land if this project doesn’t go ahead, could build one taller building and the General Store would be torn down (maybe folks think this is okay and would be a better use of this lot, so I will wait to hear their feedback on the project),” she said.
You can read the full exchange between Finn and Mayor Elliott here.
Donny says
I thought there were requests for Variances. Does that not require approval or decline prior to construction.
What’s this about maybe building something else even more inappropriate , so put up with what’s in front of you !
In that case maybe I should pull my teeth out now , just in case they go bad.
What a stupid argument.
Richard King says
Kinda sounds like the development by the Squamish Elementary School. Fool the people with a proposed Oil Change Development. Let there be an outcry from the neighborhood. Mayor and Council turn down the Development. Then approve an abomination that in no way fits within the area. Oh, but we should be thankful the Oil Change Development is not there. It’s time we had a Mayor that will lead the people, not the Developers.
Eric Andersen says
I believe Mayor Elliott is to be applauded for the fine orientation she provides in this letter on the many steps – and considerations for political decision makers – in the Land Development Process. It is great hear from our youth. It is important to respond to and encourage engagement of young people in the community.
The letter is Mayor Elliott’s own initiative.
However, there are in the letter certain opinions expressed that should not be misinterpreted as policy. For example: “…every neighbourhood in Squamish needs to accept some additional apartments and townhomes so that we can grow within our existing footprint” is NOT District policy.
In addition, with respect to Growth Management: (1) The forests at the edge of town, while representing important values, generally do not represent high value habitat by comparison with valley bottom lands and riparian zones. (2) In building a community which depends less on cars, we must also not lose focus on the bigger problem of the need to commute long distance to work on the part of many families. Attention to neighbourhood design will not, alone, solve the issue of car dependency.
That said, and again, the Mayor is quite clear she is offering her own opinions. Community planning dialogue will involve diverse perspectives, and needs diverse voices – including those of young people!