It is looking like an uphill battle for proponents trying to build an approximately 460-unit housing development on the former Garibaldi Springs golf course land.
The Polygon Homes proposal was presented and discussed in front of a packed chamber of residents mostly opposed to the project at the District committee of the whole meeting Tuesday afternoon.
The project’s housing would be divided into three neighbourhoods on the 48-hectare site located next to the Executive Suites Hotel and Resort on Tantalus Road. Housing includes 334 townhouse or duplex units and 127 apartment units built as much as possible on previously disturbed areas.
The build-out of the project is anticipated to be spread over seven years, depending on the Squamish housing market, according to the proponents.
Six residents spoke against the proposal. Speaker Adam Smith represented about 30 homeowners who live near the proposed development.
He spoke passionately against the proposal, primarily on the grounds it requires an amendment of the community-created Official Community Plan.
“There’s nothing about this proposal that fits the current OCP,” he said.
“We made trades on this land already with the previous development. We provided a revenue source in the hotel, we provided revenue source in the townhouses and we provided a long-term revenue stream in the golf course… we don’t owe anyone anything on a speculation purchase.”
Smith added that Polygon bought the property knowing its Official Community Plan designation.
He also said about 1,000 units of housing are slated for Squamish in the next couple of years so there is not a desperate need for what Polygon is offering.
Approximately 28 hectares of the property would be transferred to the District as public park space.
Polygon proposed a total of $3.5 million in community amenity contributions divided equally between affordable housing and general amenities. Twenty-three below-market rental units are proposed.
The development needs approval from council for an Official Community Plan amendment and rezoning.
The other speakers echoed Smith and also raised concerns that included density, traffic, impact on sensitive habitat and views.
Several councillors were OK with certain aspects of Polygon’s plan, such as trail connectivity, but most had difficulty with changing the OCP and the potential impact on sensitive habitat.
“When I am considering an OCP amendment the threshold for that, in my view, should be very, very high,” said Coun. Jason Blackman-Wulff.
“In considering a project like this you look at things like amenity contributions, you look at preservation of green space and I am of the view that I don’t think from what I see right now the project has met that test.”
Coun. Susan Chapelle said that the argument the houses would be on previously disturbed land didn’t wash with her. There’s a big difference between golf carts and golfers, and housing and infrastructure, she said.
After the meeting, Polygon president Neil Chrystal told The Chief the company’s development team was planning to debrief about what they heard at the meeting from residents and council before deciding next steps.
A public Polygon information meeting on the proposed project is scheduled for Wedneday, June 7 at the Sea to Sky Hotel.
