The Squamish Senior Living Society has raised concerns to the District of Squamish about the noisy HVAC at the neighbouring Shannon Falls Residence, yet the District says the property owners need to find a resolution.
As previously reported in December by The Squamish Chief, several residents at the Westwinds say a noisy HVAC unit at Shannon Falls has been causing them distress. Now, the board of directors for the Squamish Senior Living Society, which operates Westwinds, is calling for more help from the District to help find a solution.
“Regrettably, we are disheartened by the responses and handling of this issue to date,” reads the letter, which was forwarded to The Squamish Chief on Feb. 28.
“Our primary concern is the impact this noise is having on the health, well-being, and quiet enjoyment of life of our senior residents. … To the District of Squamish, we respectfully request the re-opening of the file on complaints from our residents.”
Ashley Hallinan, the board chair of the society, signs the letter. The letter also asks the District to review the current noise bylaw and to align it with “contemporary standards.”
A spokesperson for the District said their hands are tied, and provided similar reasoning when asked about the issue in December 2023.
“It is always in our best interest to work with all parties to resolve Bylaw-related issues wherever possible,” wrote Rachel Boguski in an email to The Squamish Chief. “However, at the time of installation, the equipment in question met all Building Bylaw requirements, and therefore the matter remains in the hands of the property owners.”
“We empathize with everyone involved, and we sincerely hope that both parties can work together on a mutually acceptable solution to alleviate the concerns of the Westwinds community.”
Spokesperson Lina Saba for Park Place Seniors Living, which operates Shannon Falls, previously told The Squamish Chief that the company reduced the noise by installing a fence with slats. However, Saba said further noise muffling would impact air circulation for its residents.
Saba said having Westwinds taller in height and close in proximity to Shannon Falls, plus some units having no air conditioning were contributing factors to increased noise.
While the letter from Squamish Senior Living Society acknowledged its appreciation for some of the mitigations already done by Park Place, the group is not aware of “any building standard mandating AC as a solution to mitigating excessive noise from a neighbouring property.”
The letter requests “a more substantial effort” to resolve the noise, and says they have enlisted environmental consultants to prepare a report which they will share when completed.
