By now you have probably heard of Squamish's objection to one aspect of the Regional Growth Strategy. I would like to report on the status of the issue.
The Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) is a contract among all of the members of the Squamish Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) and adjacent regional districts.
It is intended to ensure that growth in the region is planned in a responsible manner embracing what are referred to as "Smart Growth" principles.
The document contains maps, which specifically restrict growth to designated settlement access. These are all principles, which Squamish agrees with whole heartedly.
Our own growth plans as set out in our Official Community Plan (OCP) reflect these very same principles.
For example, one of the reasons our council opposed the issuance of an environmental certificate for the Garibaldi at Squamish (GAS) development is that in its current form the proposal does not conform with our growth principles.
You might be asking why, then, we objected to the RGS. The reason is that there is no guarantee that mapping done in 2010 will accurately reflect smart growth plans in the future.
Proposals which we are now unaware of may come forward and be consistent with the principles but inconsistent with the existing mapping.
Under the proposed RGS, amendments to the document would require the consent of each of the other nine parties to the RGS. In other words, the District of Squamish's future could be decided by other governments and not by the Mayor and Council that you have the opportunity to elect and hold accountable.
What you might not be aware of is that Squamish has been successful in convincing all of the other parties to the RGS that our concern is valid. None of the other parties are now opposed to the fundamental change requested by Squamish.
There are issues still to be decided by an arbitrator in the near future. The arbitrator is simply ruling on some related but non-critical issues.
Our council's opposition to the RGS was something we believed was extremely important to retaining the autonomy of future democratically elected councils here in Squamish.
We are pleased with the result and I would like to commend our staff and the other parties to the RGS for effecting the necessary changes.
