EDITOR,
I would like to address the new development proposal for the former Garibaldi Springs Golf Course at 40850 Tantalus Way. The Nov. 5, 2010 Chief newspaper stated that Doug Day purchased the property "at a fraction of what the property is worth." Also, in that same article, Mr. Day said, "It's one of the nicest pieces of property I think I've ever seen it's full of lakes and rivers, streams, viewpoints, trails." The Chief from Feb. 11, 2011, stated that Mr. Day said he is in this for the "long term." Well, eight months later Mr. Day has a deal with Townline Ventures to rezone the nicest piece of property he has ever seen.
Just after Mr. Day purchased the golf course, he went to council to see about rezoning and developing the parcel. The council said the golf course was a benefit to the town and looked to see if there was any interest in a third party to run the course. Mr. Day took out an ad in The Chief looking for anybody to run the course and also started a media blitz on how he would like to donate 100 acres of land for a park. But in return he would like the District of Squamish to let him rezone the remaining 45 acres for low-cost housing (a term used in Squamish for small, expensive houses) on 3,000-square-foot lots.
This is what I understand to be true: Mr. Day has flipped a parcel to Townline Ventures on the understanding that it will be rezoned residential. Then he will donate 100 acres that can't be developed due to fisheries restrictions to the District of Squamish, thus getting Mr. Day out of paying taxes on a piece of land he does not want and can't do anything with, also getting a healthy tax break for his donation.
The 100-acre gift will cost Squamish the taxes to be paid on this parcel over years and the cost of care and maintenance of this property. We can't afford this gift.
Last week Townline Ventures had an open house regarding the proposed 130-lot subdivision at the end of Newport Drive and North Road. I attended with about 50 other residents. I noticed the residents were not anti-development; they were anti-small lots and had concerns with traffic and their property values going down. During the meeting, one of the Townline group said there are studies proving that young families prefer to purchase small houses on small lots with no yards at a high price because they like hiking and biking and being outdoors and not looking after their garden. One comment was that these smaller lots are common in Point Grey and Kitsilano.
I live in the area and I don't see the similarity with Point Grey or Kitsilano. I do see property values going down due to parking issues that come with 3,000-square-foot lots and traffic congestion in the area. These lots have nothing to do with first-time buyers or lower-cost housing and everything about maximum profitability. It seems this proposal has been hastily put together by two developers and shoved down our throats on the basis that we need small, economical housing. I believe this profit will be taken out of this area and the resale value of the housing that exists in the area and am against this proposal.
Craig Murphy
Squamish
