Too much fast food, too little of anything else.
Solterra Development Corp. is asking the District for more leeway on the types of businesses that can be added to its Sea to Sky Business Park.
"After approximately one year of preleasing, the majority of inquiries we receive that match the current zoning come from the ‘fast food' sector," wrote Mike Bosa on behalf of the company.
"While we are able to accommodate these businesses, at this time, our preference is to not do so. However, in order to have the site fully leased, we need to be able to offer the spaces at this site to other interested parties."
Bosa wrote that Squamish has a shortage of space for professional services, and that his site has space to help alleviate the demand.
However, the current zoning doesn't allow that to happen, he said.
The current restrictions under the I49 zoning prevent us from doing so," wrote Bosa. "For example, under the current I-9 zoning, professional services are allowed only on the second floor, while veterinarian clinics and personal service establishments are not acknowledged at all."
He said he recognizes the District has concerns about there being too much space for retail and professional services in the area.
As a result, he offered to reduce allowable retail use from the current allowed maximum of 60,000 square feet to a maximum of 32,300 square feet.
Council voted unanimously to refer this proposal to staff for further discussion.
