Construction of a new community in South Britannia Beach could begin as soon as next year, provided the application process runs smoothly.
This is according to the developer, Taicheng Development Corporation, which has filed an application with the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District for approximately 1,000 units of mixed single-family homes, townhouses and apartment suites on the 55-hectare site that sits south of Britannia Beach.
But members of the SLRD board of directors say more work needs to be done before they will consider an amendment to the official community plan.
“They (the developers) still have quite a lot of work to do in terms of building permits,” said Area D Director Tony Rainbow, adding that areas of concern include lack of transportation to Squamish and employment opportunities within the new community.
“We have a vision of any new communities to be self-supporting communities, not bedroom communities.”
Britannia Beach South, which the developer has dubbed a “satellite community to Squamish,” would see around 2,900 people move to the area, many of whom would work in Squamish or the Lower Mainland.
In its application, the developer envisions 220 to 325 residents will work out of the community, most with home-based businesses and in potential tourism attractions at Minaty Bay, but there would not be further employment opportunities.
For transportation, there are options for a shared-car program and a shuttle to and from Squamish, where most people will buy their groceries and run other errands.
The plan is to build between 698 and 1,000 units of housing, consisting of 66 per cent single-family houses and townhouses and 33 per cent apartment suites, along with the potential for 204 basement suites.
The development would also include a daycare, small commercial area, green spaces, a network of walking and cycling trials within the community and to North Britannia Beach, and the potential for an elementary school.
In 2014, Taicheng submitted an application to amend the OCP and zoning for South Britannia Beach, which is currently zoned for resource use including gravel extraction. After undertaking planning, engineering and environmental studies, the developer filed a new application in May of this year.
Although they would like to see improvements in certain areas, SLRD staff are ready to take the next step.
“Staff believe that all the substantive issues have been addressed by Taicheng to the point that it is now time to bring the proposed new plan forward to the board for information and then for initial public consultation,” SLRD staff writes.
The developer plans to build the project in phases over the next 15 to 20 years, but this timeline could be shorter depending on market demand.
“It depends on how many people want to buy. It could be built in 10 to 15 years or it could go a lot faster – it depends on demand. We are being conservative here,” said Michael von Hausen, president of MVH Urban Planning & Design, on behalf of Taicheng Development.
By offering a mix of housing, von Hausen said the community will help with housing affordability in the area, but said it is difficult to determine how much the units will cost because of today’s active market.
“We don’t want to see an elite, expensive community. It’s intended for young families who can’t afford Vancouver anymore, and a mix of people of all ages,” he said.
As for foreign investment, which has been blamed as one reason for the rising housing costs in the Lower Mainland, von Hausen said Britannia Beach South is unlikely to attract foreign buyers because of its distance from downtown Vancouver.
“It will be a community that’s diverse and family-oriented, and fits into the corridor and the feel of Squamish,” he said.
