Another 900-1,100 units of housing may soon be added to Squamish’s real estate listings.
Squamish council passed third readings of Official Community Plan and rezoning bylaw amendments needed for Waterfront Landing, the development proposed for the east side of the Mamquam Blind Channel.
The project slated for 1500 Highway 99, by Bosa and Kingswood Properties, has changed over time in response to feedback from the public, District staff and council, something each of the councillors noted in voicing their support for the project.
Housing will include duplexes, townhouses and apartments. Fifty-five units of affordable rental housing and 50 units of market rental housing is planned.
Coun. Jason Blackman-Wulff said he was slightly disappointed more rental and non-market housing weren’t included, but said overall this development sets a standard for others to follow, “In particular the pedestrian connectivity to downtown, to me that is such a linchpin to the whole development and I am happy to support it,” he said.
A pedestrian footbridge over the Mamquam Blind Channel will connect Waterfront Landing to downtown and is scheduled to be built before the 215th unit of housing is completed, according to a District staff report.
Approximately 2.1 hectares of waterfront public park will be dedicated to the District as part of the 21.5 ha development.
Waterfront Landing residents will be served by two commercial areas totalling, 50,000 square feet of commercial space equalling 12 per cent of the total development.
Approximately 2,000 square feet of daycare space has been included in the first mixed- use commercial building slated for Laurelwood Road. A 30-berth public marina is part of the plan as well. “I think it is a very welcome addition to our downtown area… and a great activation of the waterfront,” said Coun. Doug Race.
