The controversial Loggers Lane 70-unit complex proposed for a property next to a popular campground in Squamish is a step closer to becoming a reality.
Council on Tuesday unanimously passed third reading of two bylaws necessary for the development of three-bedroom townhouses.
The development called for an Official Community Plan (OCP) and zoning amendment to change the property’s designation from employment/resource lands to residential.
“Generally I am supportive of residential in this area,” said Mayor Patricia Heintzman. “I think it will be a good addition to the area. I agree at the development stage we need to ensure there’s an adequate respect of the campground and other users in the area, so we will put that in the development permit application.”
Heintzman said in past community plans, the property was designated for residential housing, but that was changed for the most recent plan although no one is quite sure why.
At the public hearing for the development held Oct. 6, the owner of Eagle Vista RV Resort and Campground, Jeff Kirkman, expressed concern for the long-term survival of his business, should the residential units be built next door.
In 2014, the campground hosted 1,334 tourist campers who each stayed an average 3.5 nights, Kirkman said in a letter submitted to council.
With a current expansion of 38 additional camping spots in progress, the campground projects economic activity generated in Squamish by the campers to be 1.55 million, he said.
“We chose to build a place where people would say, ‘Let’s come back here, this place is awesome. And no amount of theming, no amount of landscaping is going to hide a 35-foot high, 200-foot-long townhouse [building], 20 feet off our property line,” Kirkman said at the public hearing.
Councillor Doug Race said Tuesday night he understood the owner’s concerns and believes they can be addressed at the development permit stage.
Race said additional landscaping and screening to shield the campers from the development could be worked out.
“Really, only one building and a relatively small portion of that common boundary will be developed, most of it is going to be left pretty close to its natural state,” he said. “I think this is a good place for residential, and particularly residential that has some… density to it, it is not single-family homes.”
The proponents offered the district an amenity contribution of $140,000 earmarked for upgrades to Brennan Park Recreation Centre and $25,000 worth of pedestrian crossing beacons for a proposed crosswalk.
Councillor and housing task force chair Jason Blackman-Wulff supported third reading for the development, but he said the amount of the contribution highlights the need for a district policy around such contributions from developers.
“We should be aiming a little bit higher, but I will wait until we get an adopted policy. I still think that this is a bit low for what we would expect for this size of development.”
Councillors Susan Chapelle and Karen Elliott were not at the council meeting.
The rezoning and Official Community Plan amendment for the development had passed first and second reading at council on Sept. 15.
