Squamish council approved a new temporary use permit (TUP) for Carbon Engineering after discovering a lapse in permits.
At the Jan. 30 special business meeting, council members unanimously authorized a new TUP for the company—which develops technology for direct air capture of carbon dioxide—under TUP categories “research and development” and “business and professional office minor.”
As explained to council by Jessie Fletcher, a municipal planner, it was discovered when Carbon Engineering sought a business licence renewal in 2023 that two separate TUPs for these uses expired in 2021 and 2022.
Subsequently, Fletcher said District of Squamish staff recommended a new three-year TUP for both uses, which could be potentially renewed by staff for another three years when it expires.
Fletcher said it is unlikely that these uses will continue for the full six years as the area is concurrently being developed by Matthews West, which also maintains a lease agreement with Carbon Engineering.
“I'm happy to grant this extension,” said Mayor Armand Hurford. “I think it's totally appropriate and I do think it's unlikely to be renewed, as the pace of change down there is moving quite quickly at this point.”
Coun. Chris Pettingill sought clarity on what would be considered research and development, given the broad nature of the term, noting Carbon Engineering was purchased by U.S. oil company Occidental Petroleum in August 2023.
But, as far as staff were concerned, the permit only applied to the current application and use.
“It wouldn't be transferable to a different use,” said Jonas Velaniskis, the senior director of community development.
Another query was sparked by the fact that Carbon Engineering has operated at the location since 2015. Coun. Jenna Stoner noted this was beyond the typical maximum of six years for a TUP.
Fletcher said the planning department interpreted the legislation as allowing a new permit to be sought after expiry. This would apply to this particular permit since they combined the uses into one permit.
However, she said the legislation was nuanced and “unclear” what exactly qualified as a new permit.
Though ultimately voting in favour of the TUP, Pettingill wished there were “a few more checkpoints.”
Coun. Andrew Hamilton boiled down his comments into a land use question.
“The core of a temporary use permit is: Is this land use appropriate for that space? And I see no indication that the land use there is inappropriate,” he said.
Learn more about the TUP through council’s Jan. 30 agenda online.
