By Vivian Moreau
Third reading of bylaws for the one-step-forward-two-step-back
Rainbow housing project passed without a stumble at Whistler council’s meeting
Monday night.
The 220-unit development, located between Emerald Estates and
Alpine Meadows, passed without comment, although negotiations on offsite
servicing costs still need to be settled, Mayor Ken Melamed said after the
meeting. He noted it’s not unusual for developers to move forward with site
preparation before fourth readings have been concluded. Work is expected to
start on the site soon.
“We have allowed developers to go in after third reading but
they understand there are certain risks in doing so before finalizing,” Melamed
said.
Originally expected to have gone through final readings last
fall, the Whistler Rainbow Properties project, which will include a grocery
store, office space, restaurant, video store and coffee shop, was delayed when
council raised concerns about the size of the commercial space and the variety
of businesses planned. The ratio of resident-restricted units to market housing
units was also an issue, as were slope angles and servicing costs.
The project will include 70 single-family homes, 40 duplexes,
40 seniors units and 30 apartment/townhomes.
But after many adjustments Monday night was a different story.
“Last night council was satisfied with the proposal as it was,”
Melamed said of the unanimous vote.
Developer Tom Rafael, in attendance Monday night, said third
reading for the Rainbow project “is wonderful for the community and for
everyone involved.”
Further steps in the process include provincial approval and a fourth, final reading.
