District of Squamish staff asked council to support the creation of a marine development plan at Tuesday's (Sept. 9) council strategy session - but councillors expressed concerns about how much had already been done on the subject without their knowledge.The marine development plan was created as a result of meetings between Gateway Strategy, SODC, the District of Squamish and Squamish Terminals, which have occurred since the beginning of 2008. Its goal is to clarify the use of waterfront property, which would result in "compatibility" between all neighbouring marine properties.The report states that the Gateway representatives met with the Ministry of Economic Development, who "introduced our community to several large scale business opportunities." This troubled two council members.Both Coun. Greg Gardner and Coun. Corinne Lonsdale expressed a strong desire to know what occurred in the meetings when Gateway representatives visited."What feedback we did get from Asia Pacific and Gateway people when they were here?" asked Gardner.Lonsdale said she'd like to know which district representatives that attend the Gateway meetings. "I say that because SODC and Squamish Terminals are not the community. Council represents the community," she said. "We have a right to know what's going on down there and perhaps supply some feedback into the process."The involvement of industry also caused "a few alarms bells to go up" for Gardner. "I wouldn't want them to be dominating the process and I would be curious as to why you would think industry would contribute to this." Deputy administrator Brent Leigh said staff "will redouble that effort about specific communication on those opportunities." According to staff's report, "it has become clear that Squamish needs to evaluate and declare what forms of industrial development it seeks to attract. This is particularly true of waterfront lands"The waterfront lands being discussed in the Marine Development Plan are Watts Point, the waterfront north of Watts Point, Darrel Bay, Site B, SODC lands, Squamish Terminals, and the former Woodfibre site.To carry the plan through to fruition, $90,000 is needed, a third of which would come from the district, with a third from government grants and the rest from industry.Generally, council was receptive to the marine development initiative, although they voiced concerns over the future selection of a consultant. Gardner, Lonsdale and Coun. Patricia Heintzman acknowledged "the need" for a waterfront strategy, but challenged staff to find an unbiased consultant."I want to hear about all the goods not just where we want to direct them or landowners want to direct them," said Heintzman. "I want to hear about everything."Leigh skirted specific questions on consultants, saying staff had not yet researched the issue."I have no idea who we would hire," he said. Gardner also questioned the price tag of the project."Where does the $90,000 come from?" he asked. "I don't think the proposed $30,000 from government funding is out of the ball park," said Leigh. "We have to understand what are we enabling for industry, what are we hoping for opportunities."In the end, council gave its unanimous support to delve into the creation of a marine development plan.
