Proponents of a development at the gateway to Squamish say their project is now significantly different from an earlier plan snubbed by municipal officials.
The Kingswood Crescent development has drastically changed from its cousin, the 2006 Red Point project, Kingswood representative John Moonen said. Land has been added, almost doubling the project's size. A park runs along southern and eastern shores of the Upper Mamquam Blind Channel and proponents promise $3.7 million in cash and community contributions.
The visual aspects are unique. They are not really comparable to any other project, Moonen said. It kind of creates the first impression [into Squamish].
On Wednesday (Sept. 25), Kingswood officials are hosting an open house on the proposed mixed-used development. Sitting on 8.32 acres, it would include 425 residential dwellings along with a community meeting facility, restaurant and a small amount of commercial space. Drafts depict seven buildings on the lots, with six- and five-storey complexes adjacent to steep embankments that surround the property and one-, two- and three-storey buildings facing the waterfront.
The original Red Point proposal was plagued by concerns about its traffic impacts. Despite having received Ministry of Transportation approval to direct all project-generated traffic onto Highway 99, the District of Squamish council of the time rescinded its third reading.
Under the new plan, northbound traffic heading up Highway 99 or out of the development will use a right-in/right-out Scott Crescent intersection. Southbound travellers along the highway and out of the development will travel through the lower portion of Hospital Hill on Clarke Drive.
In the morning, two-thirds of the traffic leaving Scott Crescent will be going north to Squamish, Moonen said, quoting from a traffic consultant's report.
Bunt and Associates estimated the development would generate a maximum of 184 vehicle trips in the peak morning hour and 244 vehicle trips in the peak afternoon timeframe.
Proponents aim to sell the units a mix of condos and townhouses to locals, Moonen said.
We are hoping probably almost half of the people we sell to are Squamish residents, he said, noting the dwellings would likely attract seniors wanting to downsize.
Next Wednesday's meeting is set for 6 to 8 p.m. at the Howe Sound Secondary School. For more information visit scottcrescent.com.
