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With the Red Point development hanging in limbo, both developers and council have reached for outside input on the residential project's longstanding traffic problem. At a strategy session on Tuesday (Oct. 23) Coun. Corinne Lonsdale demanded to meet with representatives of the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) to find a safe way of accessing the 12-acre site along Highway 99 at Scott Crescent.
Ideas to create an improved internal roads network on Clark Drive or implement a right-in, right-out plan for Scott Crescent have been rejected by council.
"We explored every opportunity both plausible and implausible," said director of planning Cameron Chalmers.
But Larry Beasley, who received an Order of Canada for his planning work in Vancouver made an impromptu presentation at the meeting, suggesting many stones have still been left unturned.
"As much as I respect the work of staff, I could not tell you that you've explored all the different options," he said.
He recommended council let the development move forward on a Letter of Credit promising funds to put towards an eventual traffic solution."To let the development go forward while you plan the rest of the project is actually a good idea, but if you do that, you would never let the developer go forward without your goodies, your fair share of what you think it will cost."
Beasley said he was not being paid to make the presentation, but had chosen to speak out of interest in Squamish and a good track record with the developer, Kingswood Properties.He said he looked closely at the proposal and was impressed by the plan.
"I've looked at thousands of projects in my days and this is a very good scheme."
He noted that stopping Red Point would delay a decision on traffic problems since any development on the property would require safe road access. But Lonsdale said in an interview with The Chief the problem could be rooted in the high density of the proposal. She said there might be a way to develop the lands without directing such a great increase in traffic along Clarke Road.
According to Ron Bijoux, a spokesperson for Red Point, the development would bring 138 extra vehicles through Clarke Drive at peak evening times.
But Craig Wilson, who lives on Clarke Drive said this boost was unacceptable; it would dramatically change the quiet community character. He said at 5 p.m., residents could often look out onto the street and see nothing more than "a lady, a child and her dog."
He added it felt as though the development was being pushed through council: "It feels like somebody's trying to put another stake in the ground and another stake in the ground."
Lonsdale told The Chief she was also uncomfortable with the way the proposal was handled in the strategy session.
"I was disappointed that Mr. Beasley was there. He was there to support Red Point and I don't think that was appropriate. If he wants to do that he can come to the public hearing. We have good planners in the District of Squamish and we didn't ask for his input."
Council agreed unanimously to request a meeting with MTO to have a full discussion about access from the site with the senior deputy minister or someone above this position.
