Squamish Mayor and SLRD director Greg Gardner repeated Squamish's opposition to the Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) this week, despite meeting with SLRD representatives and Ministry of Community Development officials to resolve concerns. The District of Squamish has rejected the RGS, a planning document intended to guide growth and facilitate consultations within the corridor and its communities.Gardner said governance tops the issues since the document gives the SLRD a say over Squamish's Official Community Plan amendments. Squamish council members feel it creates "deviation from principles of democratic responsibility," he said, since Squamish citizens can hold council members accountable but don't have the same opportunity with the SLRD."Our basic concern is that logically then, representatives that are not elected by our constituents would have a say on future growth in our municipality, and that's not just a Squamish issue," Gardner said.There are also deeper issues over whether the RGS is an enforceable document or a set of guiding principles, and a legal argument about the delegation of powers.Gardner said his general understanding is that Squamish council would prefer to make it a "high-level guiding principle" document.Whistler Mayor and SLRD Director Ken Melamed said he was a bit "perplexed," believing that the RGS contains no attempt on his part or any other mayor's to infringe on OCP or any other decisions within municipal boundaries."It was not about imposing authority over anybody," Melamed said. The RGS was created with a spirit of agreement "over a shared set of values" for planning, he added.Gardner said he's seen "nothing but cooperation and support" from the Resort Municipality of Whistler in his time on Squamish's council, but he believes Squamish council members read the document differently. Squamish Coun. Paul Lalli, an alternate SLRD director, said that has been his concern all along.Edgington said SLRD staff will work to clarify all the issues with the associated parties.GAS CEO visits SLRDDavid Negrin, the new CEO for the proposed Garibaldi at Squamish golf and ski resort, paid a visit to Monday's board meeting to emphasize his commitment to working with the regional district, the District of Squamish and the public on the long-term project.In recent meetings with Squamish's Council and Mayor, Negrin said, he clearly heard the message that the developers have a lot to work through.He said he was told that, "We have a huge hole to dig ourselves out of." Negrin told the board he has 25 years of experience in the development industry. He repeatedly stressed his commitment to working with the local governments and the public, knowing there is a lot to be done.Gardner said Negrin comes with a "very good reputation," and the Squamish Mayor looks forward to an open and collaborative process with all parties to understand this substantial project. "There is a lot of work to do from our point of view," Gardner said, including discussion to understand the vision for the project. He said he welcomes change in community consultations about the proposal, and in the willingness to do all the research necessary to ensure all parties can make informed decisions. Gardner noted that the developer has provided funding to the District of Squamish to conduct a study of the possible fiscal and socio-economic impacts of the resort. Bag funding in limboThe SLRD directors voted to defer a decision on a proposal to provide a $5,000 sponsorship to Greener Footprints for the reusable shopping bag project proposed for Squamish, following a discussion of whether the opportunities and education on the waste reduction program could help the whole district.
