Residences as high as 12 storeys, a theatre, a hotel and a park where water used to be were part of an extensive sub area plan presented to District of Squamish council Tuesday (July 27), 48 hours after council members received their own copies.
The community will have two months to comment on the proposed development of 124 acres of land and water lots.
"Today we are here before you with a draft of the sub area plan," announced Planning director Cameron Chalmers. "I think this very clearly and concisely reflects what we've heard come out of the community through an exhausted public process."
Chalmers said it also reflects the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation (SODC) wishes and is respectful of the submissions made by the two other private landowners who make up the peninsula: Westmana Development and the province as the through the Integrated Land Management Bureau (ILMB).
The plan includes a community theatre to be located at the entry to the pier on the west side of the Oceanfront Park. It also shows residential housing between three and 12 storeys line the west side of the Mamquam Blind Channel and the residential area to the north of the peninsula and east of the Cattermole Slough is limited to three storeys.
Coun. Patricia Heintzman said she was somewhat surprised to see five 12-storey buildings.
"I was under the impression we weren't going any higher than six storeys," she said.
Chalmers said the number of storeys referred to the maximum, so it didn't necessarily mean they would be that high.
"Six to eight storeys is typical and buildings in excess of six are used sparingly," said Chalmers, adding that buildings would only be allowed to build to 12 storeys if the firefighters were capable of tackling a 12 storey fire, which they aren't now.
Heinztman also pointed to the 70 to 90 per cent of Oceanfront Park, which is currently underwater, asking whether any progress was being made on in-filling.
Chalmers said the SODC has been working closely with officials in Victoria.
"If done properly, the environmental officials that we discussed this with see this as a habitat enhancement and a potential remediation project," said Chalmers.
Coun. Bryan Raiser questioned the financial feasibility of the oft-disputed hotel, positioned on the desirable land at the south tip of Oceanfront Park.
"I keep hearing arguments as to why we need this hotel but I don't see it," he said. "There's so many other hotels not doing well in Squamish right now."
Chalmers said the hotel would be unlike other Squamish hotels and was based on an "absolutely solid business case."
"It's not a highway-side hotel like most of the others in Squamish," said Chalmers.
Heintzman asked whether there was a back-up plan if the hotel turned out not to be financially viable.
"We are covered in the event that the hotel not be the ultimate land use," said Chalmers.
Its land designation includes but isn't limited to a hotel, he said.
"Without the hotel we'd need to look at some other form of destination to draw people there."
Chalmers said to make the plan feasible, money needed to come from somewhere and he expected that specific site would generate a lot of interest.
"We're not out to make a profit, we just need to make it feasible."
Coun. Doug Race commended staff for the comprehensive and well laid out document.
"Congratulations, this is a very significant step and it represents an awful lot of work," he said. "There is no doubt that it will change but this is a very good starting point."
Coun. Corinne Lonsdale echoed the praise.
"The plan looks pretty good overall," she said.
The motion to more closely scrutinize the plan during a Committee of the Whole workshop passed unanimously. Mayor Greg Gardner was absent.
