Despite the August break from council meetings, the District of Squamish continues to process work at a torrid pace.
A recent example is last week's launch of our new Geographic Information System ("GIS") which was completed internally. This system allows easy access to a wide range of mapped information on real estate parcels and our utilities infrastructure. Parcel information includes boundaries, civic addresses, legal descriptions, zoning designation, land areas, assessment values, trails data, base maps, aerial photos and links to zoning bylaws and Google Maps. Utilities information includes details and locations of water, sanitary and storm systems. You can access this state-of-the-art GIS from our home page at squamish.ca.
On the capital project front, there are many works being undertaken. The much-needed Squamish Landfill Environmental Upgrade and Expansion is now proceeding. This will bring us into compliance with current environmental standards and allow us to continue processing our solid waste locally. Engineering work on the critical dike upgrade at the eagle viewing area is underway as our flood protection systems are finally receiving the attention they require. And construction on the Corridor Trail, our main north/south non-vehicular transportation system, is ongoing.
Council has a busy fall ahead. We are looking forward to finalizing some major policy documents that will guide Squamish for years to come. The updating, consolidation and amendment of our Zoning Bylaw will be an incredible improvement to our principal land use regulation. We will be considering a new Subdivision Control Bylaw. This is a long-overdue rewriting of the document regulating development standards and will ensure that our community develops with minimal environmental impact. We are also reviewing our Development Cost Charge Bylaw, a tool to fund construction of municipal infrastructure. We will finalize our Multi-Modal Transportation Plan that will guide development of our pedestrian, cycling and vehicular transportation routes over the next 20 years.
There are many more initiatives in process. The rezoning application for the Squamish Oceanfront Development Lands will move forward and give certainty to the community and investors. Council and SODC will also consider options to advance the first phase of the business plan for that project. The Upper Mamquam Blind Channel planning process, which has encountered problems, will be restarted with a clear mandate and scope. And we are already receiving updates on the district's Economic Development Plan from our newly hired economic sustainability coordinator.
All in all, the pace of progress of this administration has exceeded even my aspirations. Hopefully these rewarding successes will inspire candidates for the municipal election. We need people with proven integrity, judgment and leadership skills to be entrusted with making decisions which impact the future of Squamish and your family. Electing someone to council should not be an experiment or popularity contest. I would be happy to meet with anyone who wishes to learn more about the role of a member of council. Please take the time to support candidates who have a track record of leading organizations successfully and making principled, fair and balanced decisions about our community's social, environmental and economic wellbeing.
