A high-density project that could make single-family homes more affordable in Squamish is moving ahead. Council gave the proposed Loggers Lane development its third reading on Tuesday (Oct. 16).
At a public hearing two weeks earlier, community members expressed concern the 165-unit development would change the character of the rural area, while also being vulnerable to floods.Coun. Patricia Heintzman reiterated these problems before voting in favour of the project.
She said it would be better to hold off on approvals before the town has more information on flood management.
"I don't think we should be doing anything at this point that takes away our ability to make this valley as flood-proof as possible."She also said the single-family design. would make the area too homogenous, saying she would have liked to see row housing added to the project.But it was a promise to bring water and sewer services to the edge of the property that won council's support.
"The water amenity is huge. I believe the community needs this kind of development," said Coun. Corinne Lonsdale.The project was almost sent back to the planners when Coun. Mike Jenson proposed to change the proposed lot size on Finch Drive to match other lots on the street.
"The goal is to keep the lots south of Raven in keeping with the community," Jenson said.
Director of planning, Cameron Chalmers said the idea could dramatically change the amenities package being offered by the developer because it would cut down the number of potential houses. He said it would eliminate 20 per cent of the lots and cut off an entire lot cell. The decision came at 1:30 a.m. on the heels of a six-hour public hearing for the Waterfront Landing project.
Throughout the evening, council and staff members suggested they were not awake enough to be making such weighty decisions. "It's too damn late at night to be doing this," said Lonsdale, adding later, "I'm not thinking straight, I'm not sure if it's right that I vote in the interest of the community."
Coun. Greg Gardner also said it was too late to be rolling the dice on major developments. However, since the decision had been held over from the Oct. 2 council meeting due to a mapping error, Sutherland insisted a decision be made.
He said it was unfair to keep a project representative waiting so late for another delay.
All council members except Jenson voted in favour of the project.
