Editor,
Since this past summer, I, among others, have been trying to raise awareness of the issue of the tree buffer along the Discovery Trail north of Commercial Way in between Highway 99 and the under-construction Holiday Inn.
This issue has been recently dealt with by District of Squamish council's Committee of the Whole with the majority of council members, except Coun. Patricia Heintzman, voting in favor of removing the trees, which appears to be in direct contravention of the draft Official Community Plan (OCP).
On July 22, I sent a letter on this issue to the mayor and council, and I re-sent this letter on Oct. 28. I have not received a response to either letter. Below is a copy of my letter, which outlines how the OCP speaks to the issue.
Mayor Greg Gardner, Councillors, Mick Gottardi, Cameron Chalmers:
Squamish is in serious danger of losing yet more natural habitat, a sheltered trail, wetland and potential blueway. The attached plans for Business Park North East, between Commercial Way and Pioneer Road, show virtually all native vegetation is to be stripped from municipal land from the Business Park, across the Discovery Trail and the drainage ditch/waterway, right to the highway, to provide a view of the new Holiday Inn Express, and other proposed businesses.
Surely the developers would have consulted the draft OCP (OCP Final Draft 2 August 2007 is a publicly available document on the District of Squamish website) before they developed along Highway 99 on the other side of a green belt. In particular, note section 20.11: "All new commercial development shall be buffered and screened from Highway 99 through preservation of existing trees and vegetation and where possible, supplemental native vegetation to achieve a density and mass that preserves the sense of continuity of the natural environment along the highway corridor." It doesn't get much clearer than that.
Some excerpts from the draft OCP:
- Urban design and development that is sensitive to the unique natural
environment and spirit of Squamish ensures that the environment is sustained
for generations to come.
- Protect and preserve green spaces and environmentally sensitive areas.
- Foster Environmental Stewardship Foster the protection, restoration and management of aquatic and terrestrial habitats and the maintenance of ecological health for present and future generations.
- 13.16 The Open Space and Greenways designation is intended to identify and protect particular sites as well as provide for linear green corridors that connect these natural areas with other components of the greenspace system.
- 13.17 New development shall respect and contribute to the greenspace and trails system.
- 20.11 All new commercial development shall be buffered and screened from Highway 99 through preservation of existing trees and vegetation and where possible, supplemental native vegetation to achieve a density and mass that preserves the sense of continuity of the natural environment along the highway corridor.
I certainly hope that the District of Squamish respects and adheres to the OCP. I look forward to your response.
Ron Enns
Squamish
