Editor's note: This is a letter to Mayor Greg Gardner Squamish council. It was copied to The Chief for publication.
My husband Mike and I attended the Community Open House on Oct. 28 and were very impressed by the presentation made regarding the sub-area plan for the Oceanfront development.
We are relatively new residents in this community, having moved to Squamish four years ago when we could not afford to buy property in Whistler or Vancouver. Over the past four years, we have grown to love the town and all that it has to offer. We truly believe that Squamish has great potential and we want to be apart of its growth as a community going forward. We want to provide our three children with access to education, arts and culture, social clubs and outdoor recreation. It is also important to us to reside in a town where we not only can live, but where we can work and our children can go to school and recreate.
In all honesty, before we moved to Squamish, our first impression of the town was tainted by the drive down Highway 99, with its stream of big-box stores and gas stations. We now know that this image is not a true reflection of our great community. Unfortunately, the community planning to date has not been successful in showcasing our vibrant little town - our rivers, our trails, our unique shops and restaurants, or our oceanfront. As residents we are spread out into smaller sub-communities with no hub. We have lost the focal point of Squamish.
It is obvious to us that the effort and commitment that has been made by the SODC and Squamish residents to develop a plan for the Oceanfront lands is a direct response to this need for a community focal point. This land is special, it is rare, and it needs to be developed with care.
We are in full support of the sub-area plan for the Oceanfront being put forward to council, and we want to see it move forward without any further delay. We have confidence that this plan will be a very powerful force for positive change in our community.
Martha and Mike McLellan
Garibaldi Highlands
