The District has agreed to examine Polygon Developments’ revised plan for the Garibaldi Springs Golf Course lands, which was drafted because of ongoing criticism of their previous proposal to develop portions of that area.
Kevin Shoemaker, vice-president of development at Polygon, said the total amount of homes would drop to 370 from 461, with significant drops coming from the northern part of the development.
More parking spots and green space would be added, as well.
“What we’re trying to do is put forward a proposal that the public can own,” said Neil Chrystal, the president and CEO of Polygon Homes.
Chrystal’s comments, which were made after the meeting to The Chief, refer to Polygon’s offer to give 85 of the total 119-acre property to the public for use as a park. The area is currently private property, though locals access it regularly for recreational purposes.
The company had previously promised to give about 80 acres for a public park.
If approved, OCP amendments would apply only to parcels of the land where housing would be built, so as to allow development. The rest of the course would retain its current designation, which is primarily greenway.
Council voted in favour of receiving a background report on the development, which will allow the District to deliberate the project in first reading in the weeks to come.
It does not mean that council actually supports the project.
Still, some councillors remained so opposed to the development that they voted against this preliminary measure.
Councillors Jason Blackman-Wulff, Susan Chapelle and Peter Kent voted against receiving the report.
“I think it’s important for us to be clear with the community where we stand on this issue and not lead an applicant down the path,” said Coun. Blackman-Wulff.
“I don’t think this proposal and this particular piece of land should be taken out of our green space and our OCP.”
Coun. Chapelle also wondered if the District could afford to maintain a big new patch of parkland, if Polygon gives its land to the public.
Polygon later told The Chief after the meeting, the parkland wouldn’t need much maintenance because it would likely be for wildlife as opposed to recreation.
The committee meeting drew about two dozen people, with several taking the opportunity to address council.
Polygon had the backing of a couple of big names in the community.
The Executive Suites Hotel sent a representative to voice the company’s support for the development.
“This development right next to the hotel will directly improve our customer experience,” said Bill Cavanagh, of the hotel, which is beside Polygon’s lands.
Sp’akw’us 50 bike race organizer Dwayne Kress said he backed the project as well.
The race was sponsored in part by Polygon.
However, most of the other speakers voiced concerns about the environment, the impact of amending the OCP, parking congestion and worries about the future of coho salmon spawning in the area.
Among them was Chessy Knight, a local biologist who previously worked as an environmental officer for the District.
“I hope that the uses of this parkland — most will be left natural and function as wetland,” said Knight. “This site was the Number 1 producer of Coho salmon within the boundaries of urban Squamish.”
