The District of Squamish staff is recommending that council allow retail use at a new development on Third Avenue in Downtown Squamish.
Staff will bring a report before council today asking that it allow retail use at 37830 Third Avenue.
The development called Lizzy Bay was rezoned few years ago from Light Industrial to CD-43 zone, which allows, residential, artisan and commercial uses.
The building is currently under construction and is almost complete. It consists of two, three-storey mixed-use buildings that are organized around a central courtyard.
There are 29 condos and approximately 6781 square feet of ground floor space where local bylaws allowed professional offices, but not retail stores.
The owner has now applied to council to amend the bylaw to allow retail.
The staff recommends council approve that but also add that it should be limited to half of the available space.
If council agrees to the suggestion, then approximately 4,090 square feet space will be allowed for retail, with the rest to be used for professional offices or employment space.
Retail space is in demand and allowing the developer more retail is beneficial for downtown, staff say.
A recent modelling by the district notes that demand for retail space will exceed supply, and what is proposed now won’t be complete as quickly as proposed.
The council will decide on allowing the retail use in the Third Avenue building at a council meeting at 6 pm today.
