When the board received a letter and statement about the province's decision to order more assessment of the Garibaldi at Squamish project, Electoral Area B Director Mickey Macri said he was "quite taken aback" that the proposal still seems to be moving ahead even though the District of Squamish and SLRD have voiced concerns and questions about the project.
B.C. ministers Barry Penner and Kevin Krueger decided in June to "require additional information from the proponent" before the project could be considered for an environmental assessment certificate, according to a June 11 statement.
Since Squamish and the regional district had their say on the proposal, Macri said it "seems like the province isn't listening."
Britannia group weighs in
After members of the SLRD board shot down the Britannia Oceanfront Development Corp.'s April request to allow a drive-through restaurant and gas bar as permitted uses in the Britannia Beach townsite, a community organization is asking them to reconsider.
The Britannia Beach Community Association sent a June 2 letter to the SLRD board asking the directors to take another look and get the public involved in the discussion.
"We respectfully request the board to bring Britannia Oceanfront Development Corp.'s application to a public hearing in Britannia Beach so that local people's input will inform your deliberations on this proposal," the letter states, conveying a resolution passed by the association.
Electoral Area D Director John Turner said there's "quite a lot" of community support to have the issue go to a public meeting, "so they can have a part in deciding what the fate is or isn't."
In April's meeting, Turner and Lillooet Mayor Dennis Bontron voted for a motion to rescind the previous bylaws for the BODC project, which would have allowed the requested changes to be made, but the motion was defeated.
Heintzman and Squamish Coun. Doug Race were among those in opposition, saying they didn't want to see more drive-through restaurants popping up.
On Monday, Gimse suggested having a public meeting in Britannia before putting extensive time and energy into a new amendment.
