The planning process for the Oceanfront Lands has finally begun. This time around, residents can expect Facebook, interactive maps and even pub nights to be part of the consultation process. Consultants from HB Lanarc, hired to take part in the project, laid out their plan for community engagement at a strategy session on Tuesday June 10."Our understanding of the status at the moment is that people are very confused about the process, " said planner Peter Whitelaw. "This has been going on in a way for three or four years."He said he hoped to break through this uncertainty by connecting with the public in both traditional and unlikely ways. For instance, on Friday (June 13) the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation will get a unique addition to its website. An interactive map will be launched allowing people to post comments about the site with area-specific advice. People will be able to read and respond to each other's ideas. Whitelaw presented his timeline for the consultation process with a final plan scheduled for spring 2009. This spring and summer, the focus would be on getting feedback from stakeholders and the public. An ideas fair for the Oceanfront Lands is scheduled for Stan Clarke Park beginning at noon on June 28.HB Lanarc principal Vince Verlaan said the plan would also build in part on past work done for the site.This sparked concern from several council members."There's been so much change in the community. There's been so much development," said Coun. Mike Jenson. "When the community started thinking about this four years ago, a lot of this stuff hadn't happened."Coun. Corinne Lonsdale expressed a similar fear. "I don't want to revisit the past because it hasn't in my mind been very productive," she said, calling the new plan "a fresh start."While the meeting was considered the official launch of the planning process, Verlaan said he had met with 12 to 15 small groups to get an idea of what the project entailed and what issues not to forget.Lonsdale expressed frustration that the process had already begun without council involvement."We are not being kept in the loop. We are not provided enough opportunity to provide feedback," she said. "I'm confused about this process. When they've met with the public, this is basically our first meeting with HB Lanarc."Verlaan said he misspoke when he referred to public consultation, adding the groups involved in prior meetings were simply a few stakeholders who sat down with him for an hour at a time.Planning director Cameron Chalmers said the meetings were an important part of getting background."We're not anywhere down the path in terms of this process," he assured council.The consulting company's strengths lie in sustainable development and community involvement, Verlaan said.Coun. Patricia Heintzman suggested council give consultants more time to follow through on the process before judging it."We seem to start criticizing before the process even starts going," she said. "I also think we need to give them an opportunity to move forward I think we're really privileged to have you guys."Conversation often strayed to what people envision on the land. Both Coun. Raj Kahlon and Lonsdale emphasized that a truly sustainable project provides employment opportunities to the community.
