The company proposing a large, mixed-use development in Britannia Beach last week demonstrated its support for the community's best-known tourist attraction.
Peter Cheng, president of Taicheng Development Corp., presented a $100,000 donation to the staff and board of directors of the Britannia Mine Museum.
"The Britannia Mine Museum and Taicheng share the same community," Taicheng office manager Mary Chen wrote in an email to the Chief. "We believe the overall success of the Britannia Beach community will help our project. We also wish our project will contribute to the prosperity and popularity of Britannia Beach.
"This win-win solution is critical to the mutual development of both the Mine Museum and our company."
The Mine Museum, a National Historic Site that attracts some 70,000 visitors a year, is 85 per cent supported by museum admissions, gift shop sales and tours, with the remainder of its operating budget coming from donations and sponsorships.
Taicheng is proposing up to 3,000 residential units, as well as well as commercial space, a marina and a waterfront park, on 500 acres (200 hectares) of land formerly known as the Makin Lands in the southern part of the hamlet of Britannia Beach.
Taicheng is seeking approval from the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) for preliminary zoning and Official Community Plan (OCP) amendments.
On Aug. 26, the SLRD board deferred a decision on three proposed OCP amendments - including one that would increase the maximum density for the property from 1,000 to 3,000 residential units - for at least two months, until planners from the SLRD and its member municipalities has a chance to review them and report back to the board.
Also in August, Taicheng officials said a recent telephone and online survey of Lower Mainland and Sea to Sky Corridor residents showed that some 30 per cent would seriously consider buying or renting homes in the proposed development. The Mustel Group conducted the survey on behalf of the proponents, the company said in a statement.
