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LETTER: The Chief missed the mark

The Chief’s March 21 story, “ New Multifamily Complex Proposed for Wilson Crescent ” regarding the public information session held March 13, was not an accurate reflection of the atmosphere of the meeting, which I attended.

The Chief’s March 21 story, “New Multifamily Complex Proposed for Wilson Crescent” regarding the public information session held March 13, was not an accurate reflection of the atmosphere of the meeting, which I attended.  Although “there wasn’t anyone who said they were opposed to the project” (residents of Wilson Crescent are far too polite to put it so bluntly) the mood of the majority of the over one dozen people attending was generally against the proposal.  

Notably, the sheer density of accommodations proposed for such a small space — 48 residences on three family-home sized lots — was the catalyst for such concerns.

Increased vehicular traffic was a major cause for concern, particularly the potential for a serious accident to occur close to two major schools on Buckley Avenue.  It was ironically suggested that council would only pay attention to this matter should there be, Heaven forbid, a tragedy of this sort.  

One of the major concerns expressed was the height of the proposed development, 1.2 meters higher than that established in the recently-released District of Squamish “Wilson Crescent Micro Plan” and not in keeping with the existing scale of residences on Wilson Crescent.  The inclusion of a daycare centre was considered by most not to serve the wider community needs, and was even suggested to be a community irritant with respect to increased parking and traffic congestion concerns.

Overall, the proposed development plan does not meet the Wilson Crescent Micro Plan policy in the following ways:

*in respecting the existing scale and character of the neighbourhood;

*in addressing safety for pedestrians and cyclists; 

*in providing gentle infill of small-scale apartments to 0.6 FAR; 

*in combining no more than two individual parcels for consolidation for redevelopment; 

*in building a maximum of three storeys; and, 

*commercial use to be considered only if providing direct benefits to the surrounding neighbourhood.

As one resident argued, what is the point of ever establishing any sort of plan if each one is subject to variance requests from developers, which once approved, set the precedent for future developments such that the whole process spirals out of control in favour of the developers?  So, the message should be: stick to the plan.

Quotes from one existing Wilson Crescent resident who ”supported the project even though she was moving away from the area due to development” were also not reflective of the general mood against the proposal. Showcasing her comments was not a fair indication of the prevailing attitude of the other meeting attendees.

To close, I appreciate and support the need for people to be able to afford accommodations based on disposable income, but the story glossed over the real sentiment of Wilson Crescent residents who plan to stay.  The article did not adequately address the failings of the proposal to comply with the standards established within the District of Squamish Wilson Crescent Micro Plan.

Peter J. Slade
Wilson Crescent resident

 

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