Running unopposed, incumbent Tony Rainbow is expected to reclaim his position as the director representing the rural areas surrounding town in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.
With deadlines for new candidates or challenges having passed, Rainbow’s place on the SLRD is a virtual certainty.
“Well, I’m very happy — I wouldn’t have minded having to campaign,” said Rainbow.
“I still will do that at community meetings, I’ll make the point of having meetings at each of the little communities...within Area D... I’ll do that between now and Christmas.”
Rainbow represents Britannia Beach, Furry Creek, Upper Squamish Valley, Porteau Cove and other rural unincorporated areas surrounding Squamish.
It’s probable that Rainbow will have to make many decisions on development this upcoming term, which is something he has become familiar with these past four years.
He voted against a proposal for SKY Helicopters to set up a helicopter touring operation in Britannia Beach.
“I couldn’t see a benefit to the community in that,” said Rainbow.
He has voted in favour of the residential-commercial Macdonald Development project proposed for the front of the Britannia mining museum.
With respect to another proposed development, Rainbow, among other board members, has requested that Taicheng Development Corp. — now known as Tigerbay Development Corp. — make substantial changes to its massive residential proposal for Britannia Beach South.
“What we don’t want to see is a thousand bedrooms with people having to drive to Vancouver or to Squamish to find work,” said Rainbow.
“We want to see a community that’s developed that would have some employment opportunities and some commercial space, as well, so people can live and work there. We’re hoping when they come to the table, it will be more than just condos and single-family homes.”
Any approval given by the SLRD board will be dependent on whether or not the Taicheng development can offer places to work, as well, he said.
In Furry Creek, however, Rainbow appears to have thrown his weight behind what looks to be a soon-to-be very large residential project.
“I support it,” he said. “I’ve been very, very impressed with how the new community has come in, the way they’ve approached the community the way they’re dealing with the community.”
“They’ve said right at the outset, ‘We want to listen to you.’”
The Furry Creek golf course and its surrounding area has recently been bought by Fine Peace Holdings.
Up to about 820 houses could be built in the area as a result.
Rainbow also added that he, along with the rest of the SLRD, will be looking to find ways to include affordable housing in future projects.
Finally, Rainbow noted that he, along with the rest of the SLRD board, will be looking into ways to tighten regulations against Airbnb this upcoming term.
“We’re having considerable problems with Airbnb, particularly in my area of Britannia and Furry Creek, and up in [Electoral Area] C, as well,” he said. Most of these issues revolve around absentee landlords, Rainbow noted.
