New road planned between Valleycliffe and Loggers Lane East area

A road between Valleycliffe and Loggers Lane East area is being considered to address traffic flows along Westway Avenue as a local development company begins the process to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan for the North Crumpit lands.

Diamond Head Land Company has applied to the district for an OCP amendment to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan for the North Crumpit lands in Valleycliffe.

A Neighbourhood Plan will align with the OCP and provide details such as future land use, densities, public spaces, and community amenities for the area.

OCP policies consider developing a connection between the east end of Valleycliffe and Finch Drive to address traffic and to provide an alternative emergency access route to Highway 99.

Diamond Head Land Company has identified possible options, although this is just the beginning of discussions and nothing has been decided.

“In terms of the site access, it is too early in the planning process to confirm the exact location,” said Heather Dunham, a development coordinator with the company.

According to a staff report presented to Council, several options from Valleycliffe are being considered, but the preferred option begins at Cherry Drive.

However, a key challenge is an environmental covenant along Stawamus River registered in the name of Province, which the latter is willing to amend as the road is a district priority.

The proponent is currently completing an environmental inventory for the location where a road would cross the covenant area, and a summary report will be presented to various agencies and stakeholder groups.

An additional access may be possible from the north by crossing land owned by the Squamish Nation. Discussions are taking place with Squamish Nation representatives.

The Crumpit Meadows Lands represent 255 acres of land located north of the existing Valleycliffe Neighbourhood and east of Smoke Bluff Park.

At the Committee of the Whole meeting, district staff presented a refined North Crumpit Public Engagement Plan, which was endorsed by Council.

The company’s next steps are to complete the required technical reporting to fully understand the land, including opportunities and constraints. Access to the proposed neighbourhood is a critical consideration of the planning process.

“Once the studies are complete, we look forward to sharing what we have learned with the community, in order to gather critical input and feedback,” said Dunham.