Squamish Council will consider final adoption of a rezoning bylaw at its June 16 council meeting for 26 new townhomes on Government Road.
The zoning amendment for the property at 40279 Government Road, rezones the land from single-family residential to multi-unit residential to allow the townhouse development. The property sits on the east side of the CN Rail line, fronting Government Road, adjacent to the Kewtín Reserve.
The rezoning was first given third reading in January 2024, with adoption conditional on the developer meeting several requirements. Those conditions have now been satisfied, clearing the path for the bylaw to be officially adopted.
As part of a Land Development Agreement with the District, the developer committed to paying $502,380 in cash instead of community amenities, a figure calculated based on the project’s approximately 33,500 square feet of new residential floor space. The developer has also agreed to dedicate roughly 1.5 hectares of land on the west side of the CN Rail line to the District, which must be completed before any occupancy permits are issued for the townhomes.
The development comes with a green energy condition as well. No natural gas will be permitted in any of the 26 units, with all heating, hot water, and appliances required to use renewable energy sources. A restrictive covenant will be registered on title to make this commitment binding in perpetuity.
To address noise from the nearby rail corridor, the developer is also required to maintain a 10-metre setback from the rear property line and install an acoustical barrier along that edge of the site.
A referral was sent to the Squamish Nation given the property’s proximity to the Kewtín Reserve, and the project has been listed on the District’s Development Showcase throughout the approval process.
