The Sea to Sky community keeps expanding. The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has unanimously approved a permit to build more housing in what they deem a ‘luxury’ townhouse complex at Furry Creek’s waterfront.
At their meeting on April 23, the SLRD authorized the issuance of Form, Character & Conservation Development Permit No. 279 for 16 new builds at Oliver’s Landing, proposed by Fine Peace Furry Creek Development Ltd.
The application envisages a higher-end community with immediate access to the trail system and shoreline via trail and golf pathways, and a waterfront dock.
Oliver’s Landing, located in Electoral Area D, currently consists of 56 duplex units that were completed as part of the first three phases of development in the 2000s.
These new builds are part of the final phase, making up 72 out of 74 allocated units.
Five duplex and two triplex buildings will be constructed, as well as the road connecting Beach Drive to Waterfront Drive, enhancing vehicular access and exit points.
The motion was passed unanimously, with the exception of Electoral Area D Director Tony Rainbow, who, as a resident of Oliver’s Landing, recused himself.
“It's going to be right behind my house,” he said, while declaring his conflict.
Subject to wildlife protection permits, the proposed ‘conservation’ development will include features for coastal flood protection, such as swale for stormwater management, and minimal irrigation facilities. The neighbourhood will also feature impervious paving, urban planters, and community seating.
In terms of being enviro-friendly, the houses themselves will depend on electric systems rather than fossil fuels (for heating, cooling and cooking), and will have EV charge points installed in all private garages located on the buildings’ sides, so as to avoid cars being splayed on the street and sidewalks.
Long-term spaces for bicycles will also be included. Furthermore, light pollution and energy efficiency will be taken into account, with strategically placed exterior lighting activated by sensors.
The new builds will be constructed in Craftsman-style architecture with roof overhangs, dormers, and gables. Furthermore, they will feature significant outdoor space with a combination of decks off living rooms and patios. The units will not have fencing, rather vegetated buffers and wooden screens for privacy.
The proponent has emphasized that the buildings will remain distinguishable with differing cladding colour schemes, despite their similar architecture overall.
Director Chris Pettingill, who is also a District of Squamish councillor, approved the proposal, but suggested he didn’t feel the higher-end development ought to be prioritized at a time of an ongoing cost-of-living crisis and housing crunch.
“It’s just weird to be improving luxury, water, rent, and living,” he said.
“It's just not certainly where my head space is in terms of planning and what we're working on as a regional district. But I understand this is very far along in the process. This is, you know, pretty tight in terms of the permit and what's at our discretion here.”
Fellow director Armand Hurford, who is also Mayor of Squamish, concurred. He suggested that if the development were built from scratch, rather than an add-on to one already existing and well-established, it may not be wholly supported.
Hurford also said that, given that the new development conforms to regulatory guidelines, he could support the motion.
Claire Dewar, senior planner at SLRD, clarified the context of the luxury development. “These units are joining the existing strata built 20 years ago,” she said.
The SLRD’s staff report states the final phase for Oliver’s Landing, landscaping which will amount to around $1 million, may have positive regional impacts, “as there is a need for more multi-family housing in Howe Sound East.’
Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter.
This reporting beat is made possible by the LJI.
