Cameron Chalmers, head of the District of Squamish (DOS) department that deals with planning and building permit approvals, has parted ways with the municipality, a municipal official confirmed this week.
Chalmers has been with the DOS planning department for the past 10 years. Christie Smith, DOS manager of communications, on Tuesday (May 1) confirmed that Chalmers and his employer had parted company earlier in the day, though she declined to provide details.
"The district doesn't comment on personnel matters. He had been with the District for 10 years," Smith said. "The District of Squamish thanks him for his contributions to the community and wishes him well in his future endeavours."
Chalmers is the second senior DOS manager to leave the municipality in as many weeks. On April 24, DOS officials announced that Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Ramsay was leaving the post, effective May 22, to take over as city manager in Port Moody.
Chalmers underwent training in planning at the University of Calgary and earned a bachelor's degree in criminology from Simon Fraser University in 1997.
He served as a planner at the Municipal District of Rocky View, near Calgary, from 1999 to 2002, and was hired as DOS director of planning in November 2002. In April 2010 he was appointed general manager of community services, responsible for planning, building, environment, trails, sustainability, economic development, tourism and recreation.
During the past couple of years, the DOS - most especially the planning department - have been criticized for what critics claimed was an unwieldy and/or unevenly applied development approval process.
At a council meeting in January, Chalmers acknowledged those concerns and vowed to improve the process in the future, but added, "In my opinion, despite what some people have said, we have been pretty consistent in how we deal with the various applications."
In February 2012, DOS officials conducted a Core Services Review of the department and implemented changes meant to streamline the development approval process. The three-year plan includes the striking of a task force of builders and developers to advise DOS officials of problems.
Smith said she could provide no details on how and when Chalmers' position will be filled.
Auli Parviainen, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor last fall, on Tuesday said she wonders whether the change was related to the recent Core Services Review.
"After that sort of process, you have to decide at some point whether you want to move forward with the staff you have or go in a different direction," said Parviainen, whose campaign for mayor included a promise to help streamline the development approval process.
She said she thinks the recent moves by the new council have been positive in terms of the future relationship with the development community.
"The departure of Mr. Chalmers shouldn't be seen as a positive or negative, just that we have to move forward from here," Parviainen said.
"I think in these situations you have to look for the potential for a really good, positive evolution. I think the foundation for the work that needs to happen is there and I have every expectation that the district will be able to move forward in a very positive way."
