Nearly seven years after submitting their original development proposal for the Whistler Kampground lands Greenside Properties is going to its second public hearing, on Nov. 4. The hearing was scheduled after council rescinded first three readings for a previous proposal and gave first two readings to a new rezoning application at a special council meeting on Tuesday. The latest plan includes 69 market value lots, dedication of land to the municipality for an improved configuration of Spruce Grove Park and the sale of approximately 2.3 acres to the municipality for development of between 48 and 60 employee housing units, in the form of townhouses. Council met in camera prior to the meeting to discuss the land acquisition. The proposed purchase price of the 2.3 acres is not yet public but acting mayor Thelma Johnstone said later it would be a price that makes financial sense for an employee housing project. The municipality would likely use some of the money in its employee housing fund — reported to be nearly $6 million — to buy the land. "We’re happy, although we’ve got a few things to work out," David Ehrhardt of Greenside said following the meeting. The 69 lots are smaller than normal; the intent being to make them more affordable. One-third of the lots are to be offered for sale to Whistler residents only for the first 30 days. Greenside is looking at building homes, possibly pre-manufactured homes, on the remaining two-thirds of the lots. Those houses will be required to have an auxiliary suite. A covenant will be placed on all lots restricting what the suites can be rented for. Design guidelines will also be in effect for all houses. "There’s an employee component even in the market lots, with the suites," Ehrhardt noted.
