A dispute over Cattermole Slough's rightful ownership versus longtime use is being dubbed a "David and Goliath story" by a downtown resident determined to battle a trespass notice issued by the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation (SODC).
Peter Legere, a self-proclaimed "Consulting Visionary" and "Guerrilla Planner," is trying to save a dock he and friends built on the Cattermole Slough at the end of Second Avenue more than five years ago.
The structure recently attracted the attention of the SODC board, leading to a notice of trespass, cries of outrage and a Facebook page called Save the Squamish Slough Dock!
"[The dock] is used by many locals," wrote the page's creator Leah Bliss, whose boat is moored on the slough. "[It] adds to the downtown atmosphere, uplifting spirits of passersby. And more importantly, isn't hurting anyone (that I know of) But suddenly for no reason they have been told the docks need to shut down within a month."
The dock was built years ago with debris that floated up the slough, according to a letter by Legere. It has gone unnoticed until an ambitious houseboat construction project that began in January attracted attention, he wrote.
On May 13, a legal notice was posted stating the floating structure and vessels must clear out by June 15 or face costs incurred by its removal as well as "legal action by the owners." Legere said a request to meet with SODC CEO Drew Stotesbury went unanswered.
When contacted by The Chief, Stotesbury said the dock impedes on the property owners' rights and creates liability issues, so the board took measures to resolve the issue."The 13-member [SODC] board somehow became more aware of it and asked staff to investigate it then directed us to when we were aware of our rights directed us to effect a notice," said Stotesbury.
He said he knows of no internal SODC discussion over approaching the dock users for direct communication or coming up with a compromise.
However on Wednesday (May 19) the SODC posted their own Facebook comment on the SODC page, using legal language to explain their position.
"SODC, the District of Squamish and Capilano University (together the 'owners') all have title and/or are upland to water lots within the Cattermole Slough that have become illegally inhabited by unauthorized floating infrastructure and vessels," it states. "This represents an unacceptable exposure to personal injury, property and environmental liability for the owners. The owners have authorized the issuance of a notice of trespass in order to mitigate this exposure and to protect their property rights."
Meanwhile, plans for the Cattermole Slough show the district's former consideration of in-filling the slough to allow Westminister Street to be extended to Seventh Avenue have been tabled.
"The Cattermole Slough will remain intact," said Stotesbury. "It will be bordered by a waterfront trail. It will be used for small crafts certainly, probably kayaks, canoes, boats of that nature. There's no moorage planned for the slough."
On the Save the Dock Facebook site, Bliss wondered why the current usage couldn't remain until improvement plans begin.
"Until the town finds the right development and begins building, why not let the community use the space?" she asks.
Another Facebook critic boiled it down to a question of money.
"Once you get the very rich living in those communities they take over and money talks," wrote Joy Beaulieu-Bliss.
And one resident brought a historical perspective to the conflict.
"My grandmother helped put Squamish on the map while it was still called Newport, and this makes me sick!" wrote John MacCormack.
