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Squamish council holds firm on objections regional growth strategy

The District of Squamish (DOS) may have entered into a non-binding conflict resolution process with the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) at the request of the province, but council is sticking to its gun on a few matters of contention.

The District of Squamish (DOS) may have entered into a non-binding conflict resolution process with the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) at the request of the province, but council is sticking to its gun on a few matters of contention.

At Tuesday's council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to approve a resolution in support of regional planning and rejoin the development process, but with a caveat that "the District of Squamish has not agreed to transfer or delegate land use planning authority over lands located within the present or future boundaries of the District of Squamish," and that the DOS will "not support or approve the Regional Growth Strategy until the Settlement Planning Map provisions related to lands within the present or future boundaries of a member municipality are deleted."

Councillor Doug Race drafted the resolution and took the opportunity to explain why Squamish could not support the Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) process as it currently stands.

"The (RGS contains) a number of planning principles that are consistent with planning tools used by the District of Squamish, but it also contains settlement planning maps," he said. "Each of the four member municipalities and the Squamish map determines urban areas and non-settlement areas. Urban includes lands that are already developed or already designated for future development and roughly what's in the Official Community Plan (OCP). The Regional Growth Strategy would restrict settlement in non-settlement areas.

"In the future if we wanted to go into a non-settlement area with some form of development we would have to amend our OCP, but also go to the regional district to have the RGS amended. What it does is transfer the planning authority that is vested in this council to the regional district, and would have people that are not elected by the people of Squamish making land use plans for Squamish."

Councillor Paul Lalli thanked mayor Greg Gardner for leading the battle against the RGS when Gardner was still a councillor.

"In my mind we could have huge issues affecting our economy, with respect to land use decisions," he said. "Having said that, only five regional districts have supported (RGS). Even in Vancouver (they) are not supporting it for different reasons, but for similar issues. We have to be very careful going into this, the lack of public input and lack of public knowledge is a huge concern for me."

Councillor Corinne Lonsdale supported the motion against the RGS, but said if they removed the non-settlement maps she would feel more comfortable with the process. "It's the issue of our autonomy," she said.

Squamish to explore Olympic billboards

The drive from Vancouver to Whistler may not be commercial-free during the 2010 Games, if Squamish can earn enough from temporary billboards along the Sea to Sky Highway.

Although some councillors had misgivings about billboards, the majority voted to refer the issue to staff to see whether there is any interest on the part of advertisers, and find out how much Squamish could benefit financially.

Councillor Patricia Heintzman doubted the financial gains would be worth the time spent on the proposal, and worried about the long-term impacts of the billboards.

"I would like to look at the long-term (impacts) of having billboards on the highway," she said. "If I was going through a town that had billboards, I wouldn't go back there.

"(Does) the short-term revenue from billboards balance with the long-term impact of sending out that image of our community? I guess it depends on how much revenue, but I don't see the point of getting revenue for a month and a half in terms of the long-term impact."

She also worried that the investment in staff time could cost the DOS more in the long run, and called it a short-sighted, short-term quick fix. She also pointed out the possibility that conflicts could arise with Olympic sponsors.

Paul Lalli, who sits on the finance committee, said the billboards are only one of the revenue generating ideas that the committee is working on. However, it's the most time sensitive, as any temporary use permit or bylaw amendment would be limited from July 2009 to March 2010. "It's worth exploring," he said.

Bryan Raiser said he was against the idea, having seen the impact on other towns like Nanaimo. He also questioned how much staff time would be required, and worried about the precedent they might be setting.

"I had the same concern about staff time," said Mayor Greg Gardner. "I had a brief dialogue on the topic, and it's basically asking staff to make a couple of phone calls to companies to try and put a ballpark figure on the idea.

"I don't know if it's in our interest to go ahead with this, it's a complicated issue and not just aesthetically."

The council voted 5-2 in favour of sending the proposal to staff for more information, with Raiser and Heintzman opposed.

Sidewalk café bylaw approved

Downtown Squamish could be a very different place in the near future, with council unanimously approving amendments to the Squamish Sidewalk Encroachment bylaw to allow cafes and restaurants to create outdoor patios. The goal was to enliven the atmosphere in downtown Squamish.

Councillors hoped to see businesses apply for patio space sooner than later, and Mayor Gardner joked that it was in the hands of the free market.

At an earlier meeting, where third reading of the bylaw amendment was approved, Councillor Lonsdale noted that it wasn't the first time that they've tried to enliven the streets.

"When (the sidewalk encroachment bylaw was first) implemented it was taken up by exactly three businesses in town, one on Second (Ave) and a couple on Cleveland but it didn't seem to catch on," she said. "I really hope this time it does, and I hope we do get ourselves that vibrant Cleveland Avenue sidewalk that we would really appreciate and enjoy."

Making a case for climbing

Most Squamish residents would agree they have a million dollar view, but the dramatic cliffs that surround the town are worth far more than that as one of the world's premier rock climbing and bouldering destinations.

According to the Squamish Climbing Strategy Report, which council referred to staff for review on Tuesday, the economic impact of climbing is likely in the neighbourhood of $25 million a year, and poised to continue growing.

The report made several recommendations to improve the climbing experience and increase dialogue between the province, DOS, and other stakeholders in the area. It also looked at specific ways to manage a growing resource.

"It's important for the community from my view because we have all these climbing assets - and the municipality is managing one at Smoke Bluffs Park," said Mayor Greg Gardner. There are multiple parties, incredible assets, and increasing demand as more people discover these assets. There are economic opportunities that go with that, and challenges as well."

The report looked at "highest value climbs," as well as issues like access, trail maintenance, facilities (e.g. campgrounds), signage, marketing and more and recommended creating an advisory committee for three provincial parks where climbing is popular, which would include representation by the DOS.

Other recommendations include revitalizing climbs, trail signage, the creation of new trails linking bouldering areas beneath the Grand Wall, expanding campgrounds and parking areas, creating interpretive programs, developing a strategy to deal with hazards like stonefall and trees, expanding parks to protect key routes, increasing the presence of rangers, training volunteers, surveying climbers, hiring a DOS climbing coordinator, to list just a few.

Opinions welcome at Squamish Town Hall

The DOS is hosting an open Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, June 24, inviting residents to come out and ask councillors questions on the Sustainability Block project for local neighbourhoods and the proposed community power project. The 2008 annual report for the DOS will also be available.

The meeting takes place at 7 p.m. at Eagle Eye Theatre, Howe Sound Secondary School.

Business association goes online

The Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association launched an official website this week at www.downtownsquamish.com, hoping to generate interest in downtown by new businesses and to showcase existing businesses.

The DSBIA also noted the installation of new artist-designed bike racks in the downtown area, using funds from Trinity Romance Shop's annual James Bondage Fundraiser. Local artist Cellaigh Pryce created the Geves rack and Nycki Samuels created the bike series with racks based on classic bikes and unicycles.

Trail Master Plan to avoid trail conflicts

Squamish Council moved forward on their plan to create a trail master plan for the district on Tuesday's council meeting, voting unanimously to refer the Trail Standards Guide to staff to create a final document to guide the process.

Councillor Bryan Raiser, who organizes the Beyond the Valleycliffe of the Dolls freeride bike events, explained that the master plan will not change the character of trails or mountain biking.

"As you know, I do enjoy the challenging trails," he said. "This master plan I don't believe will change that. What it will do - or it is my hope - is that it will finally lay out our land, which is being divvied up by many, many outside as well as inside interests.

"This plan will look at everything from bike lanes to suggesting what trail users should use what areas. There are many issues but a very big one in my mind is the huge insurgence of dirt bikes on Diamond Head trails. There is simply no signage and no one knows where they should be going, so they go anywhere and usually end up conflicting with non-motorized users."

The planning process will include all stakeholders and user groups, and will involve the public, he added. Adopting trail standards will more likely mean signage than closing more difficult trails.