District of Squamish officials are set to open up a can of zoning regulations.
At Tuesday's (Sept. 3) council meeting, Coun. Susan Chapelle put forward a motion to review existing zoning in downtown Squamish and the Business Park. The goal is to examine business barriers and appropriate land use.
It's a step that needs to be taken to facilitate future growth, Chapelle said and added that at the moment, some of the municipality's land-use regulations hinder business development.
The rest of council agreed to the review, approving it unanimously.
"I think it is worthwhile to have a discussion about business uses in the Business Park and downtown area," Coun. Doug Race said.
Coun. Ron Sander questioned whether the review should reach further, touching on the Squamish Airport and lands around it.
Coun. Patricia Heintzman responded that sometimes council makes such projects too big, at which point they take a long time to complete or simply never happen. She recommended district staff start with downtown and the Business Park and noted the review is "an intuitive step to dovetail with the downtown revitalization."
Mayor Rob Kirkham suggested that municipal staff and council sit down and clarify the aim and form of the review.
"I would like to see more specifics," he said.
That conversation may take place at the next Committee of the Whole meeting, he noted.
