Council voted to turn down the Garibaldi Springs development proposal at third reading on Tuesday evening. Polygon Homes sought a redevelopment of the former Garibaldi Springs Golf Course, proposing 350 new homes of varying types and promising 86 acres of public parkland and habitat restoration.
“There’s an immense amount of ecology here, and maybe eventually we’ll need this land to build on, but for me now is not the time,” said Coun. Susan Chapelle.
To build on the private land, Polygon was requesting an Official Community Plan amendment and zoning changes. On Tuesday night that request was turned down, in a 4 to 3 vote.
The project was opposed by councillors Chapelle, Jason Blackman-Wulff, Peter Kent and Mayor Patricia Heintzman. Councillors Doug Race, Ted Prior and Karen Elliott voted in support.
While Chapelle and Blackman-Wulff expressed concerns over habitat, the three supporting councillors expressed the same concern with the opposite point of view — arguing that Polygon was providing a solution for habitat already damaged by the golf course.
“For me, the worst thing that happened is when this land became a golf course,” said Elliott, who added while it was a difficult decision, she supported the proposal because of promises to restore and protect sensitive habitat.
While no members of the public were invited to speak on Tuesday evening, every chair in council chambers was filled, and an overflow area was set up. Residents upset with the project posted “Keep Garibaldi Springs Green” signs in the windshields of their cars parked out front of municipal hall.
The opposing group collected 1,390 signatures from people in an online petition, which was presented at a spirited public hearing on April 23.
On Tuesday night, Coun. Prior suggested not everyone who signed the petition understood the issues.
He said he supported the project because it would create public access, restore habitat and had the support of some groups including SORCA and the Squamish Streamkeepers.
The project also has the support of Sea to Sky Community Services, the Executive Suites Hotel, Norman Rudy’s restaurant, the organizers of the Spakwus 50 bike race and the Squamish Trails Society.
Heintzman said she was “really challenged” by the file, but in the end, she said concerns about the third phase and wetland habitat made her oppose the project — for now.
“If this came back in a different form, it’s likely very supportable,” she said. “I applaud the developer, they’ve done a good job and been overly considerate of [neighbours], I just don’t think this hits the mark.”
Asked after the meeting if Polygon would consider another submission for the land, company president Neil Chrystal said it was “open for consideration.”
“We’re disappointed with the outcome, and we just need to think through what our next steps will be and regroup,” said Chrystal. “We need time to reflect and think about what we should be doing next.”
