Noise, litter and large crowds were among the key points discussed in a public information meeting about helicopter touring and an artisan market proposed for Britannia Beach.
The two separate projects would be located on the lands owned by the Taicheng Development Corp., which include the gravel pit south of museum and the former Makin lands.
A public information session on May 2 centred around two temporary use permit applications.
One would allow SKY Helicopters to set up two helipads in the area and take people on helicopter tours.
The other permit would allow ElevateBC Management Ltd. to set up an artisan market that would have between 25 to 150 vendors. Also included in the application are film production staging areas.
In terms of the SKY Helicopters application, the main concern among the dozens who attended the information meeting appeared to be noise.
Several Britannia Beach residents were worried that the sound of helicopters in the area would disturb the atmosphere.
“I’m against this — this is needless noise,” John Ross, one of the residents at the meeting, told The Chief.
Ross said he was supportive of other development, but the sound of helicopters would be too disruptive.
Andrew Westlund, who owns SKY, said he understood noise was a big concern.
He said that his company has charted out a flight route that would keep sound waves from echoing too loudly in the Britannia area.
“We’re very aware of noise,” Westlund said.
He added that the flight route was calculated to avoid geographic features that would amplify the sound of the helicopters.
“It’s not a basin,” said Westlund of the flight route. “Of course, if we flew up the middle of your basin on both sides, we shouldn’t be allowed — it should be shut down right away.
The proposed takeoff site would be in an area where the sound would be muffled, he said.
Westlund added that the company had also done sound studies to make sure things wouldn’t get too loud.
There was, nevertheless, a bit of back and forth between several residents and Westlund.
“I think the only way that people might stomach it is to experience it before, because otherwise, people will have a categorical, ‘No,’” said Rose Martel, another resident. “Just by fear — and it’s a reasonable fear.”
Martel suggested that SKY arrange a test flight in the near future.
The test flight would give residents a chance to listen and judge for themselves if the flights were too loud or not, she said.
After further discussion, it was agreed that SKY would try to arrange a test flight in the coming weeks.
SKY’s proposal includes two circular 75-foot diameter helipads of crushed stone or aggregate. Either mobile office trailers or modified shipping containers would serve as a passenger waiting area and office space, among other things.
From May to September, there would be tours nine times per day from Monday to Sunday.
In the spring and fall, departures would happen Saturday and Sunday five times a day. This may increase, depending on the level of demand.
“Sea to Sky should be adventurous but it shouldn’t always have to be extreme,” Westlund told The Chief.
He said the helicopter touring would be an ideal activity for those who appreciate the outdoors, but don’t have an interest in more intense activities like downhill mountain biking.
Westlund also mentioned that he was inspired by the success of the Sea to Sky Gondola, and hoped his helicopter project could help people appreciate area’s landscapes.
With respect to the artisan market, two major points of discussion were the possibility of large crowds and increased litter in the area.
“The fear is that we’re going to get overwhelmed with this influx of people,” said Martel.
Several others shared a similar view.
John Jervis of ElevateBC Management Ltd. was on hand to address those concerns.
Jervis said that the artisan market would be in an enclosed area, which would discourage people from wandering around and leaving trash.
There were still concerns that some people leave the gated area and possibly leave trash, especially in areas by the water.
Some residents suggested putting up ‘do-not-enter’ signage in those places.
Jervis said he was committed to keeping the place clean.
There were some worries about heavier traffic.
However, a traffic study included in the application said that increase would be by one to three per cent at most on weekday afternoons and evening during peak hours.
Jervis said that market would be grassroots and be a way to provide an outlet for local artists and craftspeople.
There was some support for the market in the audience.
One person said that it would provide some much-needed goods and services for residents in the area.
Another Britannia Beach resident, Jim Tarnowski, said he was in support of the market.
“I’m a real big advocate of local. And I think it’s good for the community as a whole,” he told The Chief.
Jude Kusnierz, another Britannia resident, also said she supported the artisan market.
“I’m an artist, and it would be fabulous to have a space here to could sell my wares, [and] generate income for my family,” said Kusnierz. “I have run markets in Vancouver for a long time and I know the value that it gives to a community and artists.”
She added that she also supported the SKY Helicopters proposal, noting that she believed the company had done its due diligence.
