EDITOR,
For the last six years now we have struggled with the issue of the Redpoint development and the need for a land-use plan for the Upper Mamquam Blind Channel. For six years we have been used as a pawn by the myopic desire to build a high-density development against the will of the surrounding neighbourhoods and the community. For six years it has taken time, energy and money from us. I have been disheartened, depressed and anxiety-ridden by the struggle against an international developer and those we vote for and those we employ. It is not an exaggeration to say my life has been beaten down and forever changed by this struggle. And so with the recent story in The Chief ("District sets record straight on Upper Mamquam study," July 29), I sigh and wonder what my final options are. It appears our lives and neighborhoods are an inconvenient truth to development.
Officials originally stated the study was to identify solutions that protect the values of the neighborhood and accommodate appropriate development
"It's in nobody's interest to come forward with a plan that doesn't get built," Chalmers noted. "We should be able to pull this off fairly quickly."
Chalmers has, for the last six years, held hard to his concept of the Kingswood high-density development of the lands on the southern section of the Mamquam Blind Channel and the sacrificing of the surrounding neighborhood to achieve this. What is needed and has been pushed for by the residents is a comprehensive, community-driven plan for all of the Upper Blind Channel. Chalmers keeps pushing for a developer-driven land-use planning process, one that would produce a way for the developer to get their rezoning and approval and make their profit on the backs of the local neighborhoods. His assumption and assertion is for high-density development. What if the community decides these gateway lands should be green space and recreational land? In a land-use planning process, the community has say in the land's use; in Chalmers' development planning process, the developer has already vetoed all other options other then high-density development and that process has been pushed hard despite the constant and vocal wishes of the community.
There are so many arguments against this development and nearly none for, the balance of net loss for net gain is horribly out of balance; the only thing that continues to drive it forward is the liaison between an international developer and the district. Kingswood bought a white elephant and the solutions they are being given to solve the problems they purchased will destroy the soul of all those around them. Just because you bought a gun doesn't give you the right to shoot people with it.
This next election will see the third council and mayor that will have to face the citizens on this matter. We as a community will vote for those councillors and mayor that will promise to enforce the dreams and demands of this community and stop this battle that is killing the soul of the people that care enough to fight for their neighbourhoods, their community and their lives. I just hope that the development isn't forced upon us first.
Chris Atkinson
Squamish
