Numerous Britannia Beach residents are expressing outrage toward a proposed lookout tower they say will impact their views, and result in lower property values.A massive renovation project proposed for Britannia Beach's BC Museum of Mining is creating alarm among residents who fear a 25-metre tall lookout will block their most valuable commodity. "We are going to have this great big building out front andthe tower is going to be on top of that," said resident Bernie Caulfield. "So people from somewhere else can get up and look out at my now-ruined view."The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SRLD) is expected to decide on the BC Museum of Mining's renovation proposal at the Oct. 27 board meeting. Residents can no longer comment since a public hearing on the matter has already been held. The tower is part of a multi-million dollar renovation that will see the BC Museum of Mining transformed. It includes a new building that will house a theatre and commercial space on the first level, and a viewing deck, artisan and corporate spaces on the second level."I appreciate the community's concerns," said museum president Mark Germyn, "but we don't think it does really impact their sightlines to the oceanfront when you look at the actual configuration of the residential area. But we're certainly taking a look at that, you know, how we can satisfy their concerns and also meet our objectives." The plan initially showed the tower at three storeys and located in front of the concentrator building, which residents had no problem with, said Caulfield. "If they put it back in a corner or up against the mountain, nobody is going to give a damn. Right now it is dead center in the whole floodplain and that big valley is what we look out over."The tower was moved to the more central location to grab the attention of more visitors, said Germyn, calling it "an iconic marquee at more of our frontage."Caulfield said residents are also upset the location change wasn't clearly announced to residents, appearing as though proponents were "sneaking it through." "We only found out about the third reading [and public hearing] by fluke, and that they decided not to put it back towards the concentrator side of the mountain... but they were going to have it slam dunk right out in front," he said. Germyn said an SLRD community information session in May showed the tower's new location. But, he said, three other pressing matters may have overshadowed them. "The Squamish Nation development further up the hill was first on the agenda, and then the commercial development proposal for the fan area was second and we were third."Now it's up to the SLRD to decide. Chief Administrative Officer Paul Edgington said the board can decide to accept the project as-is, reject it outright, or work with the proponents to come up with a plan more acceptable to all. "It really depends on the complexity of the issue, public concerns and all of those kinds of things," he said. "Typically, I've found the board to weigh those things very seriously."Residents can only hope their concerns were heard, said Caulfield. "We don't know how seriously they are going to take us saying we don't want it right out in the center there."We'll see it when it's done," said Caulfield. "And you know what? The election is coming."
