"New waterfront development gets nod from council"
Proposed development to be built on site of former women’s centre
Squamish, B.C. - (June 5, 2008) - It will be the first waterfront development in Squamish in over a decade.
District council approved third reading of a proposed 52-unit glass and cedar residential/commercial unit building to be called the MirEAU, after a public hearing on Tuesday (June 3).
The project, brought forward by Westmana Development Corporation is likely the first of a series of new development projects along the Mamquam Blind Channel backing onto Loggers Lane.
Westmana as well as BCR Properties, which has the property adjacent to the MirEAU, own several properties in the area and council agreed the project before them that evening was a good kick start to the long neglected area.
Consultant for the project Peter Gordon described the development as a modest proposal that when completed would cover less than 50 per cent of the site area and dedicate a 1/3 for public amenities. “There will be a public walkway on the waterfront – a dream of most residents and something we can all be proud of…the MirEAU follows the concepts put forward in the Downtown Neighborhood Plan and opens up the waterfront to the public for the first time,’ said Gordon. The development would also contribute to the sea dyke network program and will include habitat enhancement along the foreshore.
Representatives from the Squamish Yacht Club and Squamish Tug spoke in favour of the project saying it would represent a good transition to the area from industrial to commercial/residential and that it would enhance the entire waterfront.
Greg Fischer speaking for the BIA (downtown Business Improvement Association) said the BIA was pro densification and pro commerce, “…development on the waterfront is long overdue and the BIA supports this project,” said Fischer. His and by extension the BIA’s, only concern was the limited amount of commercial space, 1,100 sq feet and he hoped future projects in the area would have a higher proportion of commercial to residential.
Vicki Haberl addressed council saying she brought the perspective of the average family living in Squamish. “This development has many of the aspects my husband and I would look for in the future [when our children move out]. I encourage council to approve this and future proposals that are similar, unlike council decisions in the past.” Haberl noted that she was a participant in the downtown waterfront Charette several years ago, and the MirEAU represented a lot of the vision expressed by residents in that process. “This will have public access on the waterfront, a residential/commercial mix – I’m excited by the opportunity here.
Eric Anderson said he was impressed by the collaboration between Westmana, BCR and CN Rail on handling a railway crossing for the area. Anderson, who is a member of the Squamish Historical Society, said there have been plans for residential development in the area dating back to the 1980s. He was critical of the project however for the number of units proposed, which he said could lead to absentee ownership and the limited commercial space. As well he expressed some concern that too much development on the waterfront could hinder potential for a viable boat building industry in Squamish.
Downtown resident Peter Harker speaking for the Downtown Neighborhood Association, was more forthright in his criticisms and the only real opponent of the project to speak at the hearing. “Downtown needs green space, and not green space dictated by developers. Green space is critical for tourism and economic development downtown,” said Harker. He noted that the area is not in complete disuse, saying First Nations people fish on the Blind Channel and that the logging industry still uses the area. Harker said the project ignored the Downtown Neighborhood Strategy and that the green space drawn on developer’s maps were in fact paved walkways. “Is there anyone here from downtown?” He asked the gallery and claimed, “there’s no one here from Marina Estates,” before the Mayor asked him to address his comments to council.
Later, Gina Rossetti a resident of Marina Estates spoke in favour of the development. “I’m very supportive of this, we’ve been waiting a long time for more development on the waterfront and a walkway,” she said.
After the public hearing was closed councillors offered their comments, “I’m very pleased that this development is going forward, the Downtown First policy is very important in revitalizing the downtown,” said Councillor Greg Gardner.
“When I think back to the downtown 2000 plan this could be a page right out of the book. I think it’s wonderful and Westmana has shown they’re in for the long-term,” said Councillor Corrine Lonsdale.
The motion to approve Third Reading was past unanimously.
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