The District of Squamish is considering implementing policies that incentivize and encourages two specific types of development.
The Low Carbon Incentive and the Smart Growth Neighbourhood Incentive aims to meet community climate change goals in exchange for extra density, but under specific conditions.
The district proposes to incentivize low carbon buildings that have heating sources derived from low carbon energy sources such as electricity, rather than fossil fuels such as natural gas.
The Low Carbon Incentive will reduce the permitted density allowed by one third for buildings that use high carbon energy sources, but allow buildings to achieve full density if they incorporate only low carbon sources such as baseboard heaters, heat pumps and electric hot water tanks.
Home builders choosing to install a natural gas fireplace or furnace would be required to build a home one third smaller than previously allowed.
Secondly, the district proposes to incentivize development along the core transit and neighbourhood nodes to encourage the residential density required to increase transit frequency and enable more shops and services to exist within neighbourhoods.
This incentive will aim to gently add density into pockets of existing neighbourhoods to work towards more complete neighbourhoods that offer residents shops, services and transit in a walkable area, district says.
These types of incentive programs are often referred to as density bonus systems.
“We are in a climate emergency and while it’s tempting to talk about trade offs, in reality, more walkable neighbourhoods, access to transit and safe cycling and walking infrastructure provide critical benefits for the health, wellbeing and human connectivity in our neighbourhoods,” said Mayor Karen Elliott.
The incentives will create more housing options, more frequent transit service, and more pedestrian and bike friendly neighbourhoods, and lessen air pollution, district adds.
“We encourage residents to learn more and weigh in on these tools and help us establish sound policy direction that sets us on an aggressive but achievable path,” Elliott said.
