A new housing development and community is in the works for the gravel pit at the end of Dowad Drive, just north of the Garibaldi Springs Golf Course.
The eight hectares would include a mixture of housing units: single family homes, duplexes and a school site, possibly the Squamish Montessori School, according to proponent Jason Wood of Diamond Head Development.
Wood said plans for the school and for the types of housing on the site are still being solidified, but residential units are the priority.
“The market is obviously in need of some new housing projects right now with the supply just not being there and with prices going up pretty quickly,” Wood said.
Council unanimously passed first and second readings of the zoning bylaw needed to allow the project at the council meeting on June 2.
“I really liked the mixed density,” said Councillor Susan Chapelle.
Some of the property is slated to be subdivided and sold as single-family lots, according to Wood.
The developer also offered about $525,000 in amenities including cycling lanes, walking connector trails and an eco-toilet, plus a cash contribution possibly to be put towards affordable housing in the district.
“Affordable housing is obviously important,” Wood said. “I mean we don’t live in Vancouver, but compared to the rest of Canada, housing is still quite expensive here.”
Wood also said as a resident of Squamish for 11 years, he couldn’t plan a development without trails.
“I don’t think you can entertain any kind of development in Squamish without that trail connectivity and linking to existing infrastructure,” he said.
Councillor Doug Race noted the connector trails were a positive contribution.
A public hearing on the development is set for June 23 at a special council meeting.
