Coun. Raj Kahlon lost his trust in the Sea to Sky University (SSU) project this week.
Kahlon is frustrated with the university and he didn't hold back his feelings at a council meeting on Tuesday (July 27) where council discussed a SSU development variance permit (DVP) application.
The council members felt there was a lack of supporting information from SSU and a concern that the information provided was not given to the district in a timely fashion.
"The university never sent any report on time," Kahlon said during discussion of the variance request. "Always late with pressure, pressure, pressure. This is not right. There is something wrong."
Kahlon said that he believes the SSU comes to council too often with requests that have to be dealt with right away.
Kahlon pounded his desk as he explained that it isn't fair of the SSU to constantly come to council making demands then threaten to pull the project if the demands aren't met.
Kahlon's harsh words came after staff members explained that the requested DVP required the DOS to "take a leap of faith".
"Due diligence has been minimal," Chief Administrative Officer Kim Anema told council. "All due diligence has not been afforded due to time constraints."
The SSU wanted council to relax the requirements for street lighting, drainage and the road widths of three roads on the university's property west of the Garibaldi Highlands. University planners say the relaxations are to allow SSU to develop the site in a manner that is more sensitive to the environment and sustainability.
The three roads are Village Drive, University Parkway and Garibaldi Park Road. University Parkway extends from the Mashiter Creek Bridge, which is currently under construction. Village Drive is a short gateway street from Garibaldi Park Road, the southern access to the university lands, to the university campus.
In a report to council, Special Projects Manager Rod Pleasance wrote, "The variations requested include reduced pavement widths to reduce impervious areas and to reduce environmental impacts from cut and fill activities. As well, alternate storm conveyance systems are proposed that are more environmentally friendly by use of infiltration for smaller storms. Street lighting levels are reduced to prevent excess light pollution and waste of energy."
The idea of reducing the lighting caused Coun. Corinne Lonsdale to express concerns about the safety of young female university students walking at night.
Lonsdale was also concerned with the SSU plan to upgrade the Garibaldi Park Road to a lesser standard. The DOS Subdivision and Control Bylaw calls for the road right-of-way to be 25 metres and four lanes wide with sidewalks on both sides. The SSU wants a 20 metre right-of-way with only two travel lanes to be shared by vehicles and bikes and a sidewalk on just one side of the road.Paul Webster of Webster Engineering Ltd. told council that it would be far too expensive to build the Garibaldi Park Road to the standard set out in the local bylaws.
"I find that talk disturbing," Lonsdale said. Lonsdale pointed out that securing a SSU commitment to make the park road an access point to the project was key to the early agreements between the SSU and the DOS.
"We've done all kinds of things to help out the university," Lonsdale said. "The university needs to do things to help us."
Mick Gottardi, the DOS community development director, said the comments from the consultant came as a surprise to him.
Coun. Kahlon lashed out a second time after Mayor Ian Sutherland asked staff about the due dates that were imposed on the SSU in connection with the reports needed by the DOS. Gottardi said the original report was in by the May 20 deadline set by the DOS; however, staff asked for additional information. Additional information arrived on July 23 but it wasn't everything staff wanted from the SSU.
"I think it is about time we tell these guys they have to do their stuff," Kahlon said as he pounded his desk.
"I've lost the trust," said Kahlon. "I'm tired of the ultimatums. We do the due diligence because we want to do it right. Are we making the right decision?"
"We want to be on the cutting edge," the mayor said as he acknowledged the concerns of Kahlon and Lonsdale.
In the end, council's only decision was to defer the variance permit matter until Sept. 6.
That won't sit well with the SSU as the report written by Pleasance indicated that if the SSU is to open in the fall of 2006 as planned, the permit is needed so the main access roads can be fully designed and then put out for tender.
No senior members of the SSU project team were at the council meeting. As of The Chief's press deadline, the SSU had not commented on council's decision to defer the issue.
