Sylvie Paillard
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Council for the District of Squamish took a second look at variance permit request for a Westmana development at Government Road following an information meeting last week that included district staff, council members, developers and residents.
Two neighbours residing at MacDonald Place addressed council to say that they were still concerned with excess water backing up from Dryden creek into their yards. The developer has agreed to help with existing drainage problems.
Council debated the legitimacy of withholding the issuance of a variance permit for a problem that is not the developer's responsibility.
Forcing the developer to pay for upgrades to benefit the neighbourhood may not be "fair game," said planning director Cameron Chalmers. Coun. Jeff McKenzie put forward a motion for to study Brackendale's drainage problem.
McKenzie's motion will be brought up during the Tuesday (Feb. 28) council meeting.
The motion to issue a variance permit passed with Coun. Corinne Lonsdale opposing over concerns that the narrow parking stalls will undermine the development of secondary suites.
Fire rescue requests $15,000
Council passed a motion to authorize the early release of capital funds in the amount of $15,057 to repair the Squamish Fire Rescue radio repeater system, to be placed on Thunderbird Ridge.
$196,000 contract awarded for Powerhouse well
Council supported a recommendation to award a $196,000 well drilling contract to the lowest bidder, Columbia Water Wells to secure the District's water supply needs from the Powerhouse Springs groundwater source.
"The work must proceed expeditiously in order to have the wells in place as planned by July of this year," states the staff report.
Quest University will pay one third of the cost of drilling and piping for its use of the facility.
Diamondhead Rd. property seeks strata
Council supported the recommendation to allow the strata conversion of a 40-year-old duplex on Diamondhead Road.
The couple who own the property say they don't want to sell right away, but hope to have financial leverage for their retirement. Lonsdale opposed the recommendation because a developer could buy it, which would mean one less affordable housing unit.
Family Festival requests $20,000
Richard Trann and Stacy Harding requested $20,000 to leverage sponsorship money for the first annual Sea to Sky Family Festival proposed for September 2006.
All council members agreed that the festival was an exciting plan.
Lonsdale said she was concerned because, if approved, the money would be released before the final budget approval. "I must wait for the budget," said Lonsdale.
But Coun. Ray Peters disagreed.
"This is the best-looking plan we've seen in a long time," said Peters. "I think we should make room for it in the budget."Council passed a motion to approve the festival in principle, and to approve the funding in principle, with Lonsdale opposed.
Zoning bylaw amended for Main St. development Mayor Ian Sutherland recused himself due to a conflict of interest to let council consider zoning bylaw amendments for a proposed housing development on Main Street.
Council accepted the recommendation for bylaw amendments with the caveat that the owner resolves 10 issues including a $36,000 contribution for cash in lieu of affordable housing, the allowance of paid community access to the development recreation centre and the completion of a land exchange which would see the district take possession of one third of the area. Coun. Raj Kahlon said he wanted the owner to contribute 10 per cent of the property's worth for affordable housing.
Chalmers said since there is no official affordable policy yet, he is uncomfortable with making that request.
