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Squamish Nation proposes 700-unit development

Debris barrier required before project moves forward
Submitted image The red area depicts the land the Squamish Nation is proposing to develop into a residential neighbourhood.

The Squamish Nation is looking to build a 700-unit residential development in the Cheekye Fan. But before any ground is broken, proponents need to deal with the potential threat of a massive landslide from the Mount Garibaldi area. 

The Squamish Nation and Cheekeye River Developments Ltd. have applied for a rezoning application and amendment to the District of Squamish’s Official Community Plan to construct a development that would match the feel of Brackendale, Squamish Nation councillor Chris Lewis said. 

The development, slated adjacent to Ross and Government roads, would be constructed for private sales with benefits going toward Squamish Nation reserve housing and programs, Lewis noted. 

The nation has an agreement in place with the province to buy the Crown land if the municipality backs the re-zoning. In 2011, the nation announced it was purchasing 1,154 acres in the Cheekye Fan for a price tag of $16.3 million. 

The first phase of the project, comprised of 178 acres, would include a daycare, school site and keep the Brackendale Farmers Institute Park as a public green space. It is anticipated that the Ray Peters Trail will be maintained.

Before any buildings go up, a debris flow barrier must be constructed. Squamish Nation officials hired BGC Engineering to examine potential risks and solutions. The engineering report recommended that any barrier constructed withstand a worst-case scenario of a 5.5-million-cubic-metre debris flow – a landslide with enough material to fill B.C. Place twice. 

District council backed the report’s advice.

“What we are basically looking at is the development assisting in the cost of building the debris barrier,” Lewis said. “We are not asking the nation, district or the province to build it.” 

If planning runs smoothly, nation officials aim to build the barrier in 2016, paving way for the development. 

The district and the Squamish Nation are tentatively planning to hold public meetings regarding the barrier and development in October, the municipality’s general manager of development services Linda Glenday told officials at a regular council meeting on Tuesday Sept. 2. 

“The province would be involved in the design of the barrier,” she said. 

The district is currently undertaking its own flood management plan, which includes examination of the Cheekye Fan. Squamish mayor Rob Kirkham wanted staff’s assurance that this development wasn’t adding extra costs to the management plan’s bill, in terms of additional research. 

That’s not the case, director of engineering Rod MacLeod said, noting it simply accelerates work scheduled over three years. 

“This development has a long way to go,” MacLeod said. 

Council will have to take a serious look into development outside of the community’s footprint, Coun. Patricia Heintzman told The Squamish Chief, noting such action is accompanied by additional infrastructure costs. 

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