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Whistler Council votes against asphalt appeal

WDC charged with finding long-term solutions with Whistler Aggregates
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There will be no appeal to the courts to overturn the BC Supreme Court decision on the asphalt plant.

That means the plant will continue to operate next to the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood, albeit with upgrades in time for the 2012 operating season.

The news, which was released by the municipality just days before the 30-day deadline to appeal, was met with disappointment by Cheakamus resident Tim Koshul.

But he remains optimistic that council will come through in the long run now that it has charged the Whistler Development Corporation (WDC), which built the Cheakamus Crossing neighbourhood, to find a long-term solution with Whistler Aggregates.

ÓI have confidence that they (the WDC) understand how important this is to future sales in the neighbourhood,Ó said Koshul.

In the meantime, however, Whistler Aggregates will be upgrading its plant, which operates next to hundreds of new homes.

ÒThe new plant is consistent with the plants that currently operate in Metro Vancouver,Ó said owner Frank Silveri. ÒIt meets the stringent air quality standards set in Metro Vancouver and will ensure a noticeable improvement for the neighbourhood. Further, I am looking forward to working in good faith to find solutions which meet the needs of all parties.Ó

The Resort Municipality of Whistler has spent almost $600,000 in the asphalt plant dispute.

Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden said in the release:

ÒIt has been a difficult decision for councilÉ Given its vested interest in the neighbourhood, I am confident that WDC will be able to work with us and Whistler Aggregates to implement solutions that advance the quality of life for residents in the short-term and find a potential long-term outcome that meets the needs of all involved.Ó

Read the Pique on Thursday for more on this story.