Developers gauge interest in new Paradise Valley fire hall

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An equestrian centre is one part of the Paradise Trails 81-home residential project proposed for a 176-acre portion of Paradise Valley.

Paradise Valley residents appear keen on the idea of a local fire hall.

The potential fire protection service is part of a broad package of amenities offered by the developers behind the Paradise Trails equestrian and residential project.

However before fully committing $200,000 towards a fire hall, proponents decided to gauge locals’ interest since it may require a tax levy and some volunteer effort.

The survey introduces the topic by stating a fire hall “could reduce insurance premium between 35 and 50 per cent.” It would also result in faster firefighter response time, states the survey before asking eight questions related to fire insurance and willingness to volunteer or allocate money to such a service.

Results of a survey sent out to residents within a five-km radius of the proposed development site appear to support the fire hall, said Simon Lai Executive Vice President of project developers, the Tri City Group.

“So far the results are quite positive. People like the idea,” said Lai.

“They don’t mind – of course within reason – to support it financially, meaning if there’s a special tax assessment or what have you. The idea is not objecting, it’s: ‘At the end of the day is [taxation] $100 a year or $1,000 a year or what?’ That would swing the concerns.”

Survey results will be compiled this month as will a comprehensive development package, all of which will be delivered to the District of Squamish this month. However a timeline for a final council decision is still unclear, said Lai.

“As you know, the District of Squamish is not the fastest,” he said. “And how fast will [the panning department] look at it, and how fast will they respond to it, and what type of response, that’s all up in the air. I don’t know, we’re crossing our fingers.”

The proposed 176-acre project of 82 residential building sites ranging from half an acre to two acres, and 11 acres for an equestrian centre was first introduced through community consultation in 2006.

The slow progress has taken a toll on the bottom line, said Lai.

“Time is money,” he said. “And we already missed a very good opportunity to market, being the Olympics. We can’t market anything because we don’t even know whether we get it or not, so how can we market something that is not there yet? So that’s unfortunate.”

In October 2008, council members barely passed third reading. District staff had recommended rejecting the proposal, citing concerns such as flood hazards and urban sprawl.

Since then, proponents reworked the project to include further flood mitigation and a high tech self-contained “green” sewage treatment system that would discharge high-quality disinfected effluent capable of grey water use.

Mayor Greg Gardner and Coun. Patricia Heintzman have a history of opposing the project. In 2008, Gardner voiced concerns over flooding while Heintzman argued rural land will become suburbanized, which runs contrary to the Official Community Plan.

At the time, Coun. Corinne Lonsdale argued in favour of increased tourism – proponents estimate equestrian recreational tourism to range from $175,000 to $350,000 per year – as well as taxes, which, although not an amenity, would mean $500,000 more for the annual municipal budget.

No other current council member was at Municipal Hall in Oct. 2008.

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