Developer Bob Cheema seems to be striking a more conciliatory tone since his threats a week ago to block access to recreation trails on his family’s 400-acre Squamish property.
At the beginning of last week the Cheema family threatened to block public access to the sprawling property north of Garibaldi Highlands and west of Mashiter Creek if council does not drop its 22,500 population cap and let his family build housing on the land.
This blockage would have impacted upcoming major summer cycling and running events that use established trails that cross the Cheema property.
To change the Official Community Plan takes more than a quick “yay or nay” from council, however, and Mayor Patricia Heintzman and several councillors reiterated at their meeting on March 21 that the OCP process will need to play out, perhaps over many months, before the issue of growth management, including the population cap and the Cheema lands, will be addressed.
Cheema sent a letter to Squamish’s mayor and council Friday outlining why he believes his family should be able to make an amendment to the Official Community Plan to develop their un-serviced lots officially known as Lots 509 and 510.
Cheema reiterates that the population cap unfairly singles out the family’s greenfield property and has placed a financial burden on the family. The letter does not reference blocking the trails.
Fellow developer Doug Day said he was incredulous at Cheema’s suggestion of blocking the trails.
“[Those] community trails that have been in use for over a hundred years,” said Day. “And I do not believe council will succumb to this type of threat.”
Heintzman said she met with Cheema and some of the upcoming race organizers on Friday.
“I think there’s some hope he is not going to close the trails,” Heintzman told The Chief. “It really is up to Mr. Cheema.”
Cheema did not respond to a request from The Chief for a comment regarding closing the trails.
Dwayne Kress, organizer of the Spakwus50 Marathon Mountain Bike Race, told The Chief on Sunday that after meeting with Cheema, a plan is now in place to allow his race to go on as planned on June 17.
“Events that happen within and around the District of Squamish simply cannot take place without the involvement and support of the entire community,” he said.
“I am hopeful that the community, including landowners and other stakeholders, will be able to continue to support access to trails for all user groups.”
Andreas Hestler of BC Bike Race, which passes through Squamish and six other communities, told The Chief its organizers are watching the land issue in Squamish carefully and are determined to find a solution.
“We are looking to what lies ahead and down the road or the single track, and all the partners we need to succeed with,” he said.
“Everyone is important and all issues need to be heard, vetted and understood – there is always a work around, or a ride around – we are happy to have the great relationships that we have and want to make sure all stakeholders are also invested in the varied futures that we all envision.”
In the recent letter to council, signed by Cheema, it is argued the family bought the lands 11 years ago with the understanding they would be able to develop it.
Cheema further argues that surrounding properties are currently being developed. “These developments surrounding our property effectively create a ‘in fill’ scenario for our property,” Cheema said.
The family is planning to build a variety of housing types and community amenities, Cheema added.
“Our proposal also includes providing 50 to 100 affordable rental units as well as establishing a school.”
Heintzman said she encouraged Cheema to write the letter to council outlying what the family wants and why.
“It’s how it should be done in that a landowner, through the OCP review, expresses their intention,” she said. Council usually receives a number of such letters asking for a change in the OCP and considers them all, she added.
The Cheema family came forward to the previous Squamish council in 2012 with a similar request that was rejected.
