EDITOR,
That both mayors of Whistler and Squamish are opposed to the scale of development at Britannia proposed by Taicheng is no surprise. They are really in an awkward position here. Everyone loves their children more. That the SLRD board would rather not field an application for an amendment to the Official Community Plan to expand upon the density is also understandable. Any application of this scale overwhelms the resources of the SLRD. Nevertheless, it is not the mayors or the board members that get to make the final decision around development, it is the regional constituents. Taicheng can make an application to amend the OCP and take it to the people. There is an administrative process available.
Proposing a tripling of density opens a can of worms. As a resident activist of Britannia Beach, I am skeptical in the extreme about any development but particularly one of this magnitude. What comes to mind for me is that even a consideration of such a game changer would demand incorporation of some key components that Taicheng should look at before proceeding with their plans.
Transportation is key and incorporating the planned Highway 99 bypass is only part of the solution. We need to look at a commuter rail service and possibly some sea link. Essential, too, is that job opportunities are created beyond the construction phase. Living-wage, sustainable work needs to be a regional matter. We cannot continue to create bedroom communities that add to the burden of commuting and don't anticipate or facilitate those elements that make a truly ecological community.
Back to the drawing board and come up with an innovative and inspiring plan, Taicheng, and the local residents of Britannia, will surely take a more favourable position on the application to amend than the naysayers with other fish to fry.
Ralph Fulber
Britannia Beach
