It is as if everyone is treading water.
Council voted Tuesday night to again recess the public hearing and delay the vote on third reading of the phased development agreement, which is essential for the close of the $15 million Oceanfront Lands deal.
The hearing and vote will be back on the agenda on August 4.
Industry leaders whose businesses neighbour the 103-acre property have hotly contested the agreement, which stops future councils from changing land use on the waterfront property for the 20-year time frame of the build-out.
The leaders want a strong covenant in the agreement that protects the companies from complaints from future residents over disturbances from industrial noise, dust and vibrations.
The leaders have called for a professional baseline study on the lands, followed by design criteria on the buildings that will be most impacted by industrial activity.
In voting to postpone consideration of third reading, Mayor Patricia Heintzman said it made sense to allow more time for further discussions with industry leaders and the developer.
“I think we need to make sure we are doing our due diligence on this,” she said.
Should third reading pass council August 4, the agreement next goes to the inspector of municipalities for approval, then if approved, it returns for adoption by council.
Council also postponed third reading of the Development Cost Charge (DCC) bylaw, another document necessary for the sale. The DCC bylaw had already passed council but was kicked back to the district by the inspector of municipalities to be modified and passed by council again.
The following also have to be completed before the deal with Newport Beach Developments is closed: DCC bylaw adoption, DCC front ender agreement, municipal share agreement and subdivision completion.
The original close date for the sale of the land between the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation, the District of Squamish and Newport Beach Developments was in April.
