Local residents will get a chance to give their input on a new pod hotel and restaurant planned in Downtown Squamish in September.
The District of Squamish council is expected to give first and second readings to a rezoning application on Tuesday, July 21.
A public hearing date has been fixed for Tuesday, September 15, at 6 pm. The public hearing will be streamed from the Stawamus Chief Activity Room at the Brennan Park Recreation Centre.
Rodney Wilson, the owner of Airhouse, is proposing the 48-unit pod hotel at 37773 Cleveland Avenue. The proposed hotel site is at the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Vancouver Street.
The property is currently zoned ‘general industrial’ and is being used to store shipping containers. Wilson is proposing to rezone it to a mixed-used zoning, which allows for height variances to accommodate a more diverse range of employment uses.
The pod hotel concept proposes much smaller rooms than a traditional hotel, which allows the proponent to “maximize” the bed base. It also offers a more unique accommodation type and more diverse amenities at an affordable price. A restaurant is being proposed on the ground floor as well as a shared rooftop amenity space.
District policy requires 15 parking stalls. While seven will be provided, the proponent will provide cash in lieu of the eight commercial stalls. Parking will be accessed off the lane between Cleveland and Second Avenues.
The proponent is also providing secure bike-and-gear storage on each floor. The proponent will also use a geothermal system to heat and cool the building, and will use LED-based lighting systems.
“The proposed project will help to maintain accommodation supply and meet the growing demand, supporting the associated benefits to local spending and employment,” district staff says.
According to a Tourism Squamish report, Squamish has seen a 290% increase in visits since 2008, but there has been no new fixed-roof accommodation built since 2010.
