Sylvie Paillard
spaillard@squamishchief.com
A proposed Brackendale development received some strongly worded protest during a variance permit hearing Tuesday (Feb. 7). Approximately 10 residents of MacDonald Place said that since Westmana Development Corp. pulled trees and pre-filled the proposed site, their backyards had turned into "bogs" and "rice paddys".
Director of planning Cameron Chalmers presented the developers' plans and said the district has had a problem with the developer's unauthorized pre-fill.
Neighbours took turns at the podium to express outrage at not being included in the development process. "I'm disgusted that we weren't consulted," said MacDonald Place resident Joe Grant. "We can't stop the development, but we'd like to have a say before it all goes through."
Resident Darryl Miller said he's lived on a nearby property for 13 years and has never seen his back yard so flooded."I'm concerned with what's going to happen when new roads come in," he said.
Resident Ian McKowen said that he bought his home for the green spaces it provided him and now his back yard is a marsh. He said he doubted the proposed rock garden, which developers say will absorb excess water, will work. "Developers are trying to get away with variances as long as my arm," he said.
Mayor Ian Sutherland asked Chalmers if neighbours had been consulted about the development. Chalmers said that the present request for variance from council was, in fact, part of the public process.
Chalmers said the variance changes certain aspects of the subdivision and control bylaw to be more environmentally friendly with regards to storm water and to curb light pollution at the nearby Government Road intersection. The developer is "working closely" with the Department of Oceans and Fisheries (DFO) to ensure the environmental improvements, he said.
Coun. Raj Kahlon said the DFO doesn't necessarily meet the neighbours' interests and he'd be upset to see problems six or 12 months down the road. Kahlon received a smattering of applause from the public gallery for his comments.
Sutherland said council would delay the variance permit authorization for two weeks in order for the district staff to meet with affected neighbours.
"[Let's] sit down and get some good information," said Sutherland.
Chalmers said staff would run the meeting as a public information meeting, but it would take more than two weeks to organize. He said staff would let the public know via media when the meeting is to be held.
