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Director of community development Mick Gottardi presented a middle of the road solution for the controversial creation of bike lanes on Westway Avenue following a second community consultation evening held Feb. 8.
"No one option is going to satisfy all the individuals, satisfy all of the concerns or all of the desires of the individual interests so it was clear there would have to be a compromise type of solution found," Gottardi said during a presentation to council at the Tuesday (March 2) District of Squamish meeting.
The proposed option consists of two four-metre wide, shared-use lanes and a 2.4-metre wide parking lane on the downhill side.
Council unanimously supported the shared roadway option on Westway Avenue from Guilford Drive to Plateau Drive in Valleycliffe, combined with unrestricted parking on one side of the road.
The project is expected to be completed before the summer.
Strata request supported
Planning director Cameron Chalmers presented council with a request for stratification of a property in Brackendale. Staff supported the request because the property owner of 1358 and 1362 Judd Rd. met all of the district requirements.
Coun. Corinne Lonsdale said she will support the recommendation but reminded everyone the district closely monitors the amount of rental units available in Squamish and recognizes a need for such properties.
Time-sensitive permit approved
Chalmers presented council with an unusually time sensitive development permit request for a property located on Discovery Way.
The permit is urgent because the property was originally sold with a stipulation that required the construction of a foundation no later than Oct. 24 2010. However for foundation to be laid the property must first be cleared of vegetation which cannot take place between April 1 and July 31, due to bird nesting season.
If the foundation requirements are not met by Oct. 31 the sale of the property will be void.
Chalmers said district staff recommends council support this request provided the property owner give the district a $20,000 re-vegetation bond and submit plans for lot grading, storm water management and a siltation control.
Council unanimously agreed to authorize a development permit for the property located at 39149 Discovery Way.
Social service groups recognized
Cheryl Simpson, a local representative from the BC Government Service Employees Union asked council to proclaim March 2010 Community Social Services Awareness Month.
Simpson highlighted several community social services designed to support families, youth and new immigrants in need, as well as programs designed to assist individuals with substance abuse or mental health problems or individuals with developmental disabilities.
Council voted unanimously in support of proclaiming March 2010 as Community Social Services Awareness Month in the district.
BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities president and CEO Stephen Miller asked council declare March 2010 as Easter Seals Month.
Miller explained the Squamish Easter Seals camp is the largest of three Easter Seals Camps across the province and the only camp that provides camp to children free of charge.
"We have children with disabilities that come from all over the province to the camp. We provide camping experiences for about 330 to 340 kids every summer at no cost what-so-ever to the children or their families," Miller said.
Council unanimously agreed to proclaim March 2010 as Easter Seals Month.
Sierra Club recommendations partially supported
Council received correspondence from Sierra Club BD campaign director Susan Howatt but did not endorse the 10 outlined principles for a new Species and Ecosystem Protection Act.
Lonsdale said she would like to refrain from endorsing the principles until the provincial task force reports on its findings on the same topic.
Coun. Patricia Heintzman encouraged district councillors to consider endorsing the outlined principles.
"I think we need to be more proactive leaders and try to influence or state our principles about habitat protection and the important of ecosystems. If we're just reacting to what the government is going to say then what's the point?" she asked.
"I'm sorry I just feel like it's a bit of a way of abdicating responsibility without really giving it some thought and burying it."
Coun. Rob Kirkham echoed Lonsdale's decision, saying the district should wait to endorse the detailed principles.
Mayor Greg Gardner asked staff to ensure staff receives the information for the provincial task force when it is made available.
In a vote of six to one, with Heintzman opposing, a motion was passed to receive and file the letter.
Park film liaison proposal approved
Council unanimously agreed to appoint a park liaison from a list approved by the Smoke Bluffs Park Advisory Committee - but not comprised solely of the committee members - to oversee and approve any requests regarding the use of the park for filming.
Lizzie Bay rezoning approved
Council gave third reading to a rezoning bylaw for a property located on the corner of Vancouver Street and Third Avenue, also known as the Lizzie Bay property.
The rezoning approves the construction of no more than two buildings which would be limited to: artisan, arts and culture, apartment dwelling, business and professional offices, personal service establishment, restaurant, home occupation, accessory retail sales, off-street parking, and off-street loading uses.
Coun. Doug Race said he believes it is an appropriate use of land with an imaginative design.
"There were some concerns expressed at a public meeting. I viewed them as minor in natures, landscaping and things of than nature which can be dealt with a the develop permit stage but as afar as land use issues go, this development, I think satisfies our vision for the downtown area."
Gravel pit proposed
Council received and filed a letter from Environmental Assessment Office associate deputy minister Robin Junger regarding a proposed gravel pit located 22 kilometres south-southwest of Squamish.
The proposed McNab Aggregate Facility would include the construction and operation of an aggregate mine which would produce more than 500,000 tonnes per year of excavated sand or gravel and would also include a marine loadout facility, located on the north-west shore of Howe Sound.
Gardner clarified the letter is merely a notification that an environmental assessment review on the McNab Aggregate Facility is starting.
Gardner also pointed out the district received a letter from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) informing the district the last payment of $89, 530.69 was made by the FCM to Smart Growth BC.
"The FCM is grateful to the District of Squamish for its initiative and its partnership with the Green Municipal Fund," wrote chief executive officer Brock Carlton.
Solid waste plan approved in principle
Council unanimously accepted the Comprehensive Solid Waste Strategy, dated Jan. 2010, and supported in principle the creation of a new Solid Waste Project Manager position, for an 18-month term.
Council also supported an immediate upgrade to the landfill with consideration for the acceptance of waste from the Resort Municipality of Whistler.
Council supported a recommendation to direct staff to prepare a new solid waste disposal agreement to address the changing condition at the landfill and the creation of a solid waste utility.
Gardner said he's excited by the move to create a solid waste utility because it's the right move for the municipality.
"It does create a distinct revenue and cost centre for that operation in the District of Squamish. It's an important operation. It's a high dollar value operation but it also ensures transparency and accountability so that out taxpayers know where the money is being spent and where it's coming from.
