The future of Squamish's Oceanfront peninsula could echo a vision Amsterdam, stated presenters of District of Squamish concept plans for the area, which were shared with local residents for response at an open house Thursday (March 26). Link to the detailed plans at http://tinyurl.com/cjqb9h.
Over 300 locals came out to give their opinion on what should be done with the peninsula one day before it was revealed that the SODC will spend up to $1 million on experts to draw up a separate business plan specifically for the municipal portion of the shoreline.
Thursday's Create the Oceanfront open house revealed two concept plans of an almost idyllic picture of urban life. Drawn from the wants and wishes of residents, the plans are complete with parks, sustainable construction and plenty of jobs.
The drawings feature networks of waterways and greenways, a range of multi-unit housing from low to high density, extensive parks, and a waterfront walkway, all of which was repeatedly compared to Amsterdam's shoreline development. All buildings will be constructed using the latest sustainable techniques, and between 600 and 1,200 jobs is expected to be created.
Plan A included a herringbone grid and a focus on formal green spaces such as a central park while Plan B relied on canals, curved streets and roundabouts. Each attendee was given a questionnaire and encouraged to give written feedback on the future of the peninsula.
Earlier in the week another process kicked off with less pomp and circumstance that saw the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation (SODC) hire a team of former Intrawest experts to create a business plan.
Although the business plan and Create the Oceanfront are two different processes, district planner Cameron Chalmers said they are also linked.
The Intrawest executives will be testing the viability of the community-led plan - the vision and the reality could end up being two different things, said Chalmers.
"The SODC acts like a developer. We realize that our plan has to include a fair degree of flexibility, and we are not getting to the level of detail where we are assigning where buildings will go. We are laying out the framework," he said.
The framework will incorporate this phase of community feedback with feedback on more detailed plans to provide it for adoption by District of Squamish council by late spring.
"We have been in this process for close to two years and we need to put it to bed and get on developing that piece of property," Chalmers said.
Discussions at the open house repeatedly drifted toward job creation, and residents like Eric Anderson said economic development is key for the Oceanfront.
"I see economic development lacking so far and more can be done in this regard," Anderson said.
Anderson warned planners against turning Squamish into an area so choked with housing that a working waterfront becomes impossible. He said jobs should be the focus because Squamish has been a transportation node since 1913.
"An open dialogue on economic development needs to be emphasized. I think it's prudent that we look at the whole picture before committing to anything," Anderson said.
Chalmers said creating jobs and economic development opportunities to balance housing has been identified as a critical objective, and the Oceanfront is intended to include a rich and diverse array of economic opportunities.
"We want to incorporate different types of industries that might be new to Squamish. Things like recreation and of course marine development," Chalmers said.
The high-rise apartments, walkways, curved neighbourhood blocks and idyllic parks reminded resident Riun Blackwell of Disneyland. But he said the plans seem to miss a large segment of the Squamish population - that is the homeless.
"I am thrilled by these plans and it seems like a cultural Disneyland to me. Is this a gated community? Because we have a wider social context in Squamish," Blackwell said.
Blackwell said important amenities such as homeless shelters and halfway houses seem to be missing. He also asked whether a hospice has been considered.Chalmers said the planning team has committed to looking at options such as supportive housing in the detailed planning stages.
Disneyland or not, the policy statement, drawings and plans allowed residents to dream big. But in reality, the Oceanfront vision will not be finished for a few decades.
"In reality I will be retired when this is actually completed. Some of this stuff will be built now but allowing 25 to 40 years for completion avoids some of the things we are seeing downtown where everything is aging at once," Chalmers said.
If you missed the open house but want to review plans and comments, check out www.createtheoceanfront.ca.
"We encourage you to get involved because there is still time and we want your comments," said Chalmers.
