District of Squamish council will debate whether Community Amenity Contribution from a developer should go towards extending a water main for local non-profits.
District staff is seeking the council’s confirmation on whether $353,325 of CAC from a proposed development on Centennial Way should go towards extending the water main for two non-profits.
The housing proposal is for the former WhistlePunk Hollow Adventure RV park on Centennial Way.
Mamquam River Access Society has asked the district to get the developer to pay for an extension of the water main on Centennial Way.
According to a staff report, the watermain extension would also provide municipal potable drinking water and firefighting capability to parcels east of the new development.
The extension could also service medium and heavy industrial users farther east.
According to the district’s Community Amenity Contribution Policy, contributions to third-party organizations are generally discouraged, unless they result in the provision of affordable housing.
The proposed waterline extension is also not identified as a need or priority in the Water Master Plan. The CAC policy, however, does allow the council some flexibility on how it may direct the funds.
An extension would benefit two non-profits which lack potable water: The Mamquam River Access Society and the Squamish Valley Rod & Gun Club.
Further, current and future medium and heavy industrial activity east on Centennial Way may benefit from extended water service.
The staff says the watermain can be extended to terminate on the south side of Centennial Way, at the SVRGC driveway, with a fire hydrant.
The District’s Manager of Municipal Infrastructure has indicated that while it is not best practice to put a pressurized water pipe through a municipal dike if it can be avoided, it is approvable with proper design.
If the extension is approved, it could provide potable water and enchance the district’s fire capability.
The council will decide on the extension at a meeting on June 30.
Ihor Zalubniak Per says
Perhaps in this equation of supplying water to the Camp Grounds and the Rod and Gun Club, the Legacy Park for Nordic Sport Development should also be considered. If water is brought to the SRGC the additional distance to service the needs of the Legacy Park is a small addition to the project overall.