Re: “Squamish urged to rethink camping bylaw in open letter,”published online Aug. 25.
I have been looking around Squamish for a solution to this concern and have an idea that may be somewhat helpful.
I note along the Queens Way, between Commercial and Industrial, there are some rather large parcels that have not been built upon. Could those owners be convinced to offer the ‘vanliving’ community spots on those lots, until they are ready to build?
This could provide space for those in need until a better solution can be found. And, it could also supply the landowner with a small income while the lot sits.
Mayhap form a ‘club membership’ charge —plus rent — a small rate ($200-500 per month, depending on size and needs), which the owner can apply to standing taxes and site line painting designating vanlifer spots.
They might go so far as to connect their infrastructure by installing a sewage dump and water supply, at a charge to the vanlifers in their rent.
This could all be done fairly simply, with a ‘group membership’ (each applicant vetted to keep the area and each other safe. And all tenants must be employed in Squamish). Plus a ‘contract rental agreement’ for those tenants who join up. The vanlifers would have to agree to the full rental terms & conditions outlined in the rental contract, with a hold harmless agreement to the landowner.
The term for the rentals would be month-to-month and at the discretion of the landowners.
With such agreements the tenants would have to keep the space clean and uncluttered, and in keeping with conventional camping regulations and appearance. (So it doesn’t start looking like a tarp-city slum.)
There would be enforceable rules on appearance, noise, cleanliness, and mutual respect. The vanlifers would police their own, but the landowner and the RCMP would have the final say.
This would, of course, be on a trial and temporary basis.
That’s my suggestion, for what it is worth.
I hope a solution can be found for those vanlifers who work in Squamish.
A.G. Symons
Squamish
