Editor’s note: this is an edited excerpt from a letter emailed to the District and copied to The Chief. It was sent after two readings for this development were scheduled for council’s meeting on June 12. These readings have been since been postponed.
The District is pushing this through before the election. When the mayor turned down the previous proposal, was it just a ruse to look popular? l’m not being flippant by asking this, as I appreciate the huge job that the District has to do, but it will be seen this way by many. Also, people are of the opinion that the District can get away with these sort of actions because they don’t seem to have to account to anybody.
Many of the supporters of this development gave it the thumbs up because they saw it as a way to deal with providing homes for the Squamish population. But we all know that’s not how it works. An increasing number of people are moving into Squamish (and who can blame them - it’s a stunning location) and the developers will sell to whoever comes first (they’re here to make money after all).
I was also under the impression that new developments such as this are being asked to provide 10 per cent of the property as affordable housing. That should be set in stone if it happens.
Also, the idea of Polygon paying for the new childcare at the Executive Suites just won’t work - the Sea to Sky Community Services are already struggling to find adequate staff at the other childcare operations they have in town.
And, of course, last but not least there’s the bruised and battered infrastructure of this town, which will take another pounding if this development is given the thumbs up.
I hope you will consider this.
I know Polygon builds great homes, I know they’ve got years of experience, but please don’t let it happen here.
Geraldine Goodwin
