A waterworks master plan for Furry Creek was approved by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) board during Monday's (Aug. 27) meeting in Pemberton, with a caveat that the developer find an alternative location at its own cost if the proposed site of a water treatment plant is deemed too small.
Tanac Development Canada Corp. holds eight parcels of land in the Furry Creek area with a build-out potential of 574 residential units. The waterworks plan has been under review since 2008, according to a staff report. Tanac is proposing to build the treatment plant on Lot 8, but SLRD consultants have said that "the available footprint is small and fitting a plant in this area will be difficult," according to a staff report.
However, the report went on to state that that "utilizing Lot 8 for the water treatment plant remains the best option" due to the lack of other suitable sites.
Tanac's engineers have also provided examples of other treatment plants that have fit on similar-sized parcels of land in the past. The SLRD will make the final approval on the treatment plant site, with Tanac required to source out a new location on its own should Lot 8 be rejected, based on Monday's board decision.
Fire truck cash OKed
The Howe Sound East Fire Protection Association (HSEFPA) plans to purchase a fire truck from the Village of Lions Bay after the SLRD board approved $10,000 plus HST to come out of reserve funds towards the vehicle's cost.
The department's No. 2 fire engine has major safety and mechanical issues, according to correspondence from HSEFPA fire chief Steve Virgint, perhaps the worst of which is the lack of adequate brakes to properly stop after descending the large hill into Furry Creek.
"This has led to a few rolling stops through the stop sign at the bottom and has me worried to say the least," Virgint wrote in an email to Area D director Moe Freitag.
Virgint also reported that the engine broke down in the middle of Highway 99 on Aug. 12 and was on its "last legs."
Virgint added that purchasing Lions Bay's spare engine would "give us some time to figure out a strategic plan to deal with the replacement" of the old truck.
Change supported, despite concerns
Whistler Olympic Park has obtained local government support for an application to change its liquor license, which would accommodate an increase in wedding bookings at the Callaghan Valley facility.
The SLRD board supported the park's application to add a patron participation entertainment endorsement to its food primary liquor license. The endorsement allows events to feature live music and a dance floor.
Electoral Area D director Moe Freitag, whose region includes the facility, was the lone director opposed to supporting the licence change, citing concerns about the potential for impaired driving on Callaghan Valley Road.
Because of its remote location and lack of access to transit, Freitag said it wasn't the same as making a change to an existing establishment in or near a municipality. He expressed concern that any alcohol-related incidents could reflect poorly on the board.
Squamish directors Patricia Heintzman and Doug Race both said they viewed the application as a minor change to the licence. Race said gives venue operator Whistler Sport Legacies another avenue to become financially sustainable. Their comments didn't change Freitag's mind.
"They're sticking around longer to drink more and I can't support it," he said.
