District plans to create a new Highway 99 Ecotourism zoning for a land parcel located north of the Squamish Adventure Centre and south of the Brennan Park.
The land parcel is presently designated as Conservation and Ecological Reserves in the OCP, which the district says doesn’t align well with its zoning, which is Resource (RE).
The district is now proposing a new Highway 99 Ecotourism zone, named C-12 for this land parcel.
“The intent of the C-12 zone is to protect critical ecological values and services such as flood protection and stormwater management while allowing for compatible commercial recreation,” says a staff report.
The new zone would allow an outdoor commercial recreation activities at a purpose-built facility focused on fostering an understanding and appreciation of natural areas.
Ecotourism Commercial Recreation use will enable organized or self-guided tours utilizing infrastructure such as trails, boardwalks, walkways or bridges.
No other use will be permitted.
As a condition of this use, no principal or accessory buildings are permitted.
According to staff, this new C-12 zone is aligned with the OCP land-use designation while still allowing for compatible commercial recreation development opportunities for the property owner.
This new designation supports natural areas recognized as providing critical ecological services such as flood protection and stormwater management, such as the Squamish Estuary, Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park, and Baynes Island Ecological Reserve.
The staff have engaged with the owner of the parcel and the land owner is strongly opposed to the proposed amendments and has asked the district doesn’t make the change.
An electronic public hearing will be streamed from council chamber on July 28 at 6 pm.
