The Paradise Trails saga continues, with the project's developers and supporters blaming District of Squamish (DOS) red tape for delays in getting the project approved, while the district's chief administrative officer blamed the developer's inexperience.
The debate over the proposed 81-lot, 176-acre development in the Paradise Valley resurfaced on Feb. 17, when Paradise Trails spokesperson Carolyn Lair held an information update session for interested Paradise Valley residents.
"Is Squamish the place where dreams come to fizzle out?" Lair asked.
"Paradise Trails, the proposed sustainable equestrian community, has been on the boards with the District of Squamish for nearly five years after receiving overwhelming community support and the majority vote at third reading in October 2008. Two and a half years later, the project is still bound up in red tape."
Michael Goodman, the face behind the development whose building sites would range from half an acre to two acres to 10 acres for an equestrian centre, said he's frustrated by the "incessant delays" and blames the DOS planning department.
"The way I see it is the planning department has never wanted the project and they're doing everything within their power to make sure the project doesn't come into being," he said.
Cameron Chalmers, who was planning director when the proposal received third reading, said it's no secret planning staff weren't in favour of the project when it was given third reading. At the time, staff recommended rejecting the proposal, citing concerns such as flood hazards and urban sprawl.
Nonetheless, District CAO Kevin Ramsay denies claim that the district is purposely delaying the project.
"The hold-up absolutely is not with us," Ramsay said. "It's with the developer who's failed to deliver in a timely manner what is required."
Goodman argues this isn't the case - he said every time he brings forward what he believes staff has requested, he is sent out to gather different information.
"They ask for gigantic changes and they keep changing," he said. "It's like moving goalposts - you go one direction and they go another."
One ongoing item is a requested geotechnical hazard mitigation strategy. Ramsay said he blames the developer's inexperience for the delay there.
"The developer Michael Goodman is very inexperienced with this type of development," Ramsay said. "He has not delivered on what we have asked him to do in a timely manner.
"A good example is that just under two years from when we told him what was required for his hazard mitigation work, it took him two years to get that to us in a form that we could actually utilize."
DOS staff's frustrations with the project don't end there.
"The other thing is that once he does deliver a piece of information, he expects us to turn it around from our end within days," Ramsay said.
"Unfortunately, we've got all kinds of development in the hopper and he doesn't get to jump the queue because he barks the loudest and puts information in the media. He's put in the queue like everybody else."
Ramsay said he thinks there's still hope for the project.
"We've worked extraordinarily hard on his file and we continue to work so it can be completed and brought back to council," he said.
"The hazard mitigation strategy's not complete, but I would say it's getting close. We're hopeful that if he gets his consultants working to complete what's required, we're within months of getting this finalized."
Lair said her major issue is why Paradise Trails had to conduct such an extensive geotechnical hazard whereas other establishments in the area, such as the Paradise Valley Wellness Centre and North Vancouver Outdoor School, didn't have such stringent rules.
Chalmers said that's because the other projects are for not permanent residential uses with significant individual landowner investments.
Normally, once a developer has met all the conditions laid out in third reading, a project will move on to adoption without another council debate. But Chalmers said that depends on the information presented.
"There are two options," he said. "It can proceed directly to adoption or, if new information is presented to council, this may necessitate a second public hearing. However, no determination can be made until we have all the information before us."
Paradise Trails has never been before the current council and Mayor Greg Gardner and Coun. Patricia Heintzman have a history of opposing the project.
In 2008, Gardner voiced concerns over flooding while Heintzman argued that rural land will become suburbanized, which runs contrary to the Official Community Plan.
At the time, Coun. Corinne Lonsdale argued in favour of increased tourism - proponents estimate equestrian recreational tourism to range from $175,000 to $350,000 per year - as well as taxes, which, although not an amenity, would mean $500,000 more for the annual municipal budget.
No other current council member was at Municipal Hall in October 2008.
The possibility of another public hearing frustrates Paradise Trails supporters, who feel they've waited long enough.
"The planning department has completely dropped the ball and the community should be made awareof theirlack ofscope on this project," said equestrian and horse trainer Paul Sowerby. "I have never been so upsetwith a municipality and their scruples.
"You have shown your true colours to any future developers coming into Squamish - maybe we should put up a sign that states, 'Closed for business.'"
Ramsay denied the accusation and said there are several developments in the works.
Lair said she plans to host a district-wide meeting about Paradise Trails later in March. Goodman said he hopes citizens approach council with their concerns.
