A variety of housing units and a school look to be on the way to the gravel pit site at the end of Dowad Drive, just north of the Garibaldi Springs Golf Course.
At a special business meeting on Tuesday, council passed third reading of a zoning bylaw amendment that clears the way for the project.
“It provides, I think, a good mix of different housing forms, which to me is not at all out of place in this area,” said Councillor Doug Race. “The school and some of the amenities are an added bonus.”
The developer, Jason Wood of Diamond Head Development, included in the proposal about $525,000 worth of amenities including cycling lanes, walking connector trails and an eco-toilet, plus a cash contribution suggested to go towards an affordable housing fund in the district.
The development is slated to have between 100 and 120 units of housing, including single-family, townhomes and duplexes.
Councillor Peter Kent said he appreciated that the developer was planning to oversize the infrastructure to support future development on adjacent land.
“I think it is a great use of the land as far as extending the infrastructure to the Cheema properties for future use, the school, and I like the mixed use. I think it is great,” said Kent.
A public hearing on the project was held earlier in the meeting.
Amber Pascual, a parent at the Squamish Montessori School, which is in talks with the developer to occupy the planned school, sent a letter to council in favour of the development.
“We are in desperate need of childcare spaces in this town,” she said in the letter. “We are bursting at the seams in our elementary school because of the large number of young families and children aged five to 12.
“We need purpose built space in safe neighbourhoods and this development proposal suites all our needs.”
No one spoke in opposition to the proposal.
“Housing is in short supply in our town right now, lots of people can’t find houses to buy and move into,” Wood told council.
Adoption of the amendment will be at an upcoming council meeting.
