The Squamish Chief editorial team has selected 10 top themes, events and issues for the year in our coverage. This story is one in a series of those.
The fruits of prior high-profile rezonings are coming to bear.
Construction has started on projects that received zoning approvals in previous years.
Ground has been broken on the upcoming Polygon 232-unit affordable seniors home, dubbed the Westwinds.
The Waterfront development has evolved from being an empty patch of land into a prominent landmark visible from Highway 99 — currently, rows of homes can be seen by everyone passing by town, and more are on their way.
Work on the Oceanfront continues and construction there remains a constant fact of life.
In the meantime, more developments are either going through the rezoning or development permit process.
For example, a new passive-house complex by developer Tyler Ovington has been appearing before council in hopes of making big changes to the Wilson Crescent neighbourhood.
On the affordable housing front, a milestone has been hit — the Buckley Avenue affordable housing project was recently granted its development permit. As a result, it’s expected that shovels will hit the ground in the new future. The development will bring 72 new affordable housing units to Squamish as well as a brand-new youth hub.
But there has been some drama as well.
Two developers responsible for some of the biggest projects in Squamish have headed to court over a dispute regarding the payment of $15.2 million, among other things.
Developers Michael Hutchison and Matthews Southwest, who were the drivers of the Oceanfront and Cheekye Fan projects, have squared off in legal proceedings.
In a notice of civil claim filed on Feb. 6, 2019, Matthews seeks damages amidst allegations of misrepresentation, breach of contract and defamation. Hutchison filed both a statement of response denying the claims against him and a counterclaim alleging breach of contract on the part of Matthews and Cornerstone on Nov. 8.
The claim says that both developers were in a business relationship but decided to separate. An unwinding agreement would lay out the terms of that separation.
Part of the stipulations included a payment of $15.2 million connected to the approval of the Cheekye Fan development. The idea was that when the project was approved by District council, Matthews Southwest would pay Hutchison that amount of money.
Hutchison’s statement says $15.25 million connected to the Cheekye project is due and owing as of Oct. 23, 2018.
However, Matthews’ claim says the project has passed third reading, but hasn’t been given final approval.
None of the claims have been proven in court.
A trial date has been set for September 2020.
