A lack of information and too many unanswered questions have residents wondering if a proposed industrial project near the airport is in the right place.
Should the project go ahead in its proposed location a key trail used by the Squamish Triathlon is in jeopardy.
Land and Water British Columbia (LWBC) is reviewing an application from Okanagan Aggregates Ltd. to locate a portable asphalt plant and storage of aggregate products on Crown land located just north of the cemetery.
The company, which is based in Armstrong, wants to use 4.41 hectares of provincial land for its plant.
Fred Gilowski of Okanagan Aggregates told The Chief that there is little he can say about his company's application.
Gilowski would say that his company would work with the community.
"We will work with the local hikers; that is our intent," Gilowski said. "We don't plan to put up a fence and tell people to stay away from our property."
He added that he would like to hear directly from people who have concerns about the proposal.
The Squamish Trail Society has concerns and the group is putting together a submission that will be sent to LWBC.
The submission is being put together by Bob Brant, the president of the society.
The Cheekye Fan trail passes through the land Okanagan Aggregates plans to develop. Competitors in the annual triathlon use the trail and Brant is concerned about the impacts the asphalt plant will have on the triathlon.
"Right now when people come from out of town, we give them a good show," Brant said. "It is in a really beautiful setting right now and that will change."
Brant and the trail society members have a number of concerns and questions about the industrial operation. The group has concerns about odours, noise, dust, the hours of plant operation and potential wildlife impacts.
The trucks required to provide materials for the plant will have a huge impact on the local roads, Brant said. He also pointed out that one of the routes to the plant passes by Brackendale Elementary School and Don Ross Secondary School.
Other potential concerns for Brant and other local residents include how the cemetery will be impacted, how the surrounding woodlots will be affected and how the plant will impact the airport.Coun. Ray Peters said he expected council to discuss the issue at the May 4 council meeting. A staff report on the proposed asphalt plant wasn't ready in time for the meeting, he said.
Very little information on the proposal is available. LWBC has two maps posted on a web site dedicated to gathering feedback. The maps do not pinpoint the subject property and the maps only show roadways and property lines. Trails are not depicted on the maps.
Comments to LWBC must be sent by Thursday (May 20).
