Officials have axed a move that would have made way for a 30-lot subdivision along the Squamish River in Brackendale in favour of protecting wildlife corridors.
On April 15, the District of Squamish council defeated a Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment that would have allowed 30, two-acre estate lots to be developed on a 78-acre property at the west end of Depot Road. The project has a six-year history with the district, over which time five development applications have been submitted.
District staff is reviewing a development permit application that would allow a dwelling to be located on the river side of the dike in Brackendale. In 2009, the property’s owner, Don McCargar, applied to subdivide the property into seven, 10-acre lots — an application that’s still being considered.
Officials don’t take pulling land out of OCP designations lightly, Coun. Patricia Heintzman said. The amendment would have redesignated the area’s use from greenway corridors and recreation to residential.
“It is pretty clear in our OCP that greenways are incredibly important in our area,” she said.
The district shouldn’t be extending its infrastructure, Heintzman added, noting there is no shortage of property already zoned for residential development. It’s the same reasoning that recently motivated council to keep 450 acres of land situated north of the Highlands and west of Mashiter Creek untouched. At the time, officials backed a regulation that required Squamish’s population to reach 22,500 residents before opening up the area to development.
The district has no right-of-way to the Squamish River dike, district planner Sabina Foofat told The Chief. That raised alarm bells with staff as a right-of-way is needed for public access and for ongoing municipal maintenance of the dike.
Most properties along the Squamish River are designated either as greenway corridors and recreational use, limited use or as parks and ecological reserves.
“The intent is to protect land along the Squamish River,” Foofat said.
McCargar did not return a request for an interview before press deadline.
