Plans for highrise towers in downtown Squamish has re-remerged with the birth of the Sustainability Block (S-Block), which could include buildings up to 17 storeys.
In 2007, a similar plan by Waterfront Landing to build three apartment buildings up to 20 storeys on the south side of the Mamquam Blind Channel was nixed in favour of 12 storey apartments after community backlash. But this time around, council is giving their full support.
"I am happy to see this come before us and I am anxious to see this project come to fruition," said Coun. Doug Race. "But we need to get to the public with this concept."
The highrise buildings are part of the district's brainchild, the Sustainability Block, which is intended to be a cutting edge model of sustainability. According to a staff report, in its current form, the proposal consists of nine buildings up to 17 storeys.
Westmana Mamquam Ocean Channel Development Ltd., has agreed to work with the district on making the initiative a reality. With Westmana on board, three blocks are slated as the home of the S-Block, two on either side of the Squamish Yacht Club and one across from the Howe Sound Inn & Brewing.
At a committee of the whole meeting Tuesday (June 9), council passed a motion to receive and support the project. But council also expressed a desire for public input because the last attempt to build higher buildings was not received favourably.
"The community will be heard by council, and what they say will have an impact on whether I say the S-Block is a good thing or not," said Coun. Corinne Lonsdale.
The district is hosting a town hall meeting Tuesday June 23 at 7 p.m. at Howe Sound Secondary School in the Eagle Eye Theatre during which the S-Block will be discussed.
"The idea is to create a showcase project that would be a hallmark of sustainability in the community," said Cameron Chalmers, district planning manager.
When building the hallmark of sustainability, Chalmers said, compromises must be made. In order to entice a developer such as Westmana, there has to be incentives such as higher density than traditionally seen in Squamish.
"The one incentive that makes a project like this viable is density," Chalmers said. "We need to see if there is acceptance of effectively trading density for sustainability."
The project would represent a leap from status quo building practices, and meet 19 sustainable targets set by the district.
The S-Block idea is a component of the Community Energy Plan process, designed to reduce energy consumption. It features energy efficient buildings, household waste recycling, indoor potable water use, food systems, affordable housing and a renewable energy supply. But Chalmers said the cutting edge of sustainability is not cheap.
In an effort to make the S-Block a reality, Chalmers contacted Rene David at Westmana.
"We felt the initiative is a good one," said David. "We are trying to be open about how to make things work and I am not necessarily in favour of 17 storeys, but we are trying to meet the targets."
Westmana has submitted a rezoning and development permit on the lands. Before any decisions are made, council has committed to hearing what the public has to say.
