A few weeks after a fiery public hearing sunk a rezoning
application for the controversial Red Point development in Squamish, developer
Kingswood Properties has announced plans to develop its Upper Mamquam Blind
Channel (UMBC) land as an RV park.
“We are proceeding with an RV park, which is a permitted use
under the current zoning and the only option which makes economic sense,” said
Kingswood President Lorne Segal in a July 30 press release.
Councillor Greg Gardner, who voted against the proposed
rezoning, said the developer is within their rights to develop an RV park, but
noted that the maximum stay is for 30 days and so mobile homes would not find
their way on site.
“I personally believe there are higher and better uses for the
site,” he added.
Red Point was
planned for a portion of the channel visible from Highway 99, at the southern
entrance to Squamish. It called for over 200 units, some of which had already
attracted down payments, but excluded commercial from the vast majority of the
site. Still, it was in line with the Official Community Plan’s vision for the
area, though critics say that description is antiquated. After years of
planning, the developers ran into problems with their traffic strategy, and a
number of rezoning efforts were rejected, with the most recent dividing council
right down the middle.
Kingswood — who returned down payments with interest
— had been silent up to this point. The July 30 release suggests strain
between the district and the developer, with Segal announcing his
disappointment in the failed rezoning, despite staff support and what they
frame as approval from the Ministry of Transportation and the community at large.
“Well, I guess I’m concerned about the fact that that
particular development has put three years worth of time and effort into the
proposal and ultimately wasn’t acceptable to council,” said Councillor Gardner.
“I want to move along the process that council initiated in December. I see us
moving along as quickly as possible with a planning process that would let
landowners in that area know what council’s vision for the area is.”
The process
launched in December calls for the whole Upper Mamquam Blind Channel to be
planned in unison, something district staff said they are still working
towards. Despite a motion passed to proceed that way, council passed another
motion earlier this summer calling for Red Point to be considered independent
of that process. At the time, Gardner said that was done at the developer’s
behest.
Wednesday’s press
release shows a continued aversion to the planning process.
“We can’t
wait,” said John Moonen, a spokesperson for Kingswood.
“We have been
involved in this process for four years,” said Segal in the release. “Some
members of council may want to undertake additional planning in the
neighbourhood, but we have no idea how they will define that process and we are
concerned it may take months, if not years, to complete. We simply cannot wait
that long so we are proceeding outright with this now.”
According to
Moonen, Kingswood has submitted renderings to the district and will go forward
from there.
“A majority of
council and the public have made it clear that a plan for the UMBC must be
undertaken prior to any development,” wrote Councillor Corinne Lonsdale in an
e-mail to
Pique
.
“I believe Staff have received the message and will move forward. It is my
opinion that that process should be a priority. Many who spoke commented on the
potential opportunities for tourism commercial in that area. We desperately
need jobs and we also need to enhance our property tax base. However, before we
can move in any direction, a proper plan that is driven and supported by the
community is desired and required.”
Along with Gardner,
Lonsdale voted against the rezoning. They were joined by Councillors Patricia
Heintzman and Mike Jenson. Mayor Ian Sutherland and Councillors Jeff McKenzie
and Raj Kahlon voted in favour of the rezoning. Sutherland could not be reached
for comment.
Squamish Nation
declined comment, as well. Chief Gibby Jacob filed a strongly worded letter
with the public hearing; he supported the development, praised an existing
relationship the nation has with Kingswood and said the nation would be
“discouraged” if the rezoning were to be denied.
“I’m always
concerned when there’s an issue where Squamish Nation has taken a position
that’s not the same as the district,” said Gardner, “and (Squamish Nation
Councillor) Dale Harry and I have spoken about that. And I think, in the long
term, I’m confident that there’s not going to be a negative impact on our
relationship.”
Damage to the
relationship with Kingswood is still uncertain.
“I am sorry it took
this long for Red Point to get the message from the community,” said Lonsdale.
“I know several council members and members of the public have been trying to
convey our concerns for months and in my case since my first meeting with
(project manager) Mr. (Ron) Bijok more than two years ago. I sincerely hope Mr.
Segal is the community minded individual that members of his team have
suggested he is. If he is, he will be able to understand and accept the
community's position and also respect our desire for a tasteful project in that
area that will be of benefit to Mr. Segal and the community.”
Despite the press
release, Gardner waxed hopeful on bringing Kingswood back into the planning
fold.
“I approached Kingswood by telephone call within a matter of
days (of the rezoning) and offered to meet with the owner,” he said. “They
declined to meet at this time. And I’m hopeful that we will be able to meet in
September.”