No thanks, storage
Council turned down a development permit Tuesday night that would have allowed Stop and Store storage to set up 165 metal storage containers on the property.
For the last 22 years, the business has operated as an outdoor storage facility, but its owners asked to use about a third of their 4,000-square-metre property at 1002 Enterprise Place for contained storage.
The company asked for variances to reduce parking from 12 spots to five.
A flood covenant was to be put on the permit that would mean that any items that could be damaged by flood waters, could not be stored in the containers.
Other nearby storage facilities objected to the plan due in part to the number of buildings proposed and that it would be unsightly.
"It will become permanent and we will see this business deteriorating," April Turner of Black Tusk Storage told council.
Councillors John French and Eric Andersen supported the request, while the rest of council objected, defeating the motion four to two.
Mayor Karen Elliott was absent.
Darrell Bay discussion continues
Behind the scenes, District staff continue to discuss issues around Darrell Bay with Woodfibre LNG.
On Tuesday, acting mayor Doug Race said that the general issues under discussion between the District and WLNG were listed in the agenda so that the public knows the issue is being addressed.
The discussion about a Woodfibre LNG licence for a dock at Darrell Bay includes how design of the proposed dock for LNG workers can be optimized for public and commercial interests; the value of the land for District taxation purposes; creating public access opportunities; creating shared commercial use opportunities; improvements WLNG is expected to make to such infrastructure as the rail crossing; evaluation of revenue opportunities for the District in terms of parking; and bus parking elsewhere.
The specifics of the Woodfibre LNG licence will be worked out and then discussed at a future public council meeting, Race said.
Part-time art co-ordinator
Council voted to support the Public Art Select Committee allocating about $5,000 for a summer part-time, temporary District position to help with the new planned Squamish Constellation Festival — a three-day event planned for the summer of 2019.
