A new development on Hunter Place in Downtown Squamish does not appear to “significantly exacerbate” traffic congestion in the area, says district staff.
Timeless Development is proposing the rezoning of the three parcels at 1100, 1120, and 1140 Hunter Place to a Comprehensive Development Zone.
The site is located behind the Nesters grocery store and includes five buildings connected by a common courtyard.
The mixed-use development will provide 324 residential units along with retail and office space.
The development will be discussed by Council at an upcoming first reading.
According to a report to Council, the staff and the developer have been working for a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) since 2019 to satisfy the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s requirements.
The assessment will also help understand the development’s impact on district roads.
“While the assessment is still under review, the proposed development does not appear to significantly exacerbate congestion that the Downtown area is expected to experience, which will be relieved with the construction of the Pemberton Bridge,” says the report.
However, the staff notes that the assessment, which has yet to be made public, does highlight the need to accelerate the timeline on the Pemberton Bridge crossing, which will provide a second entrance to Downtown Squamish.
It is anticipated that the bridge will be constructed around 2030, though the report indicates that the district should pursue this much sooner to alleviate significant future congestion.
The report does not indicate when the bridge should be constructed and the staff is still investigating the findings in conjunction with the consulting engineer.
The traffic assessment also identifies improvements to the rail crossing at Pemberton Avenue, which will be the proponent’s responsibility.
The TIA also identifies a need to finish the active transportation improvements connecting the development to the Buckley Ave and Cleveland Ave intersection., the report says.
The developer’s consultant will work with staff and propose a design for a future connection, although there is some uncertainty over whether or not the applicant will be required to build this section.
The staff has also received a request from a different property owner on Pemberton Ave to explore the possibility of creating a new stretch of road from the rail line to the western extent of the Hunter Place development to alleviate potential future traffic concerns.
“An external consultant did a study and determined that the increase in traffic did not necessitate additional road. Staff recommend that the proposal maintain this area as an active transportation corridor,” the report says.
Alex says
The need for a second exit out of Squamish is NOW.
there is only ONE way out and if any kind of disruption around the Pemberton rail crossing should happen , Squamish is locked in.
2030 for a bridge is a joke.
Who is in charge of Risk Management in Squamish ? They must be asleep.