Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Squamish takes on road signs

Squamish Council has found itself in an unusual position where staff may be authorized to go onto private land and remove seven signs that don't conform to municipal bylaws before the 2010 Olympics.

Squamish Council has found itself in an unusual position where staff may be authorized to go onto private land and remove seven signs that don't conform to municipal bylaws before the 2010 Olympics.

A few of the signs may be legitimized after council revisits its municipal sign bylaw at a Jan. 26 meeting of the Community Planning Development Committee, but at the regular council meeting on Jan. 19 council voted unanimously to give staff authorization to remove the signs.

There are currently seven signs posted by five companies in real estate and development that don't conform to the bylaw. Letters have already been sent to Coastal Village Living (Skye), Sea to Sky Premiere Properties (Raven's Plateau), The Townlie Group of Companies (Thunderbird Creek), Westmana (Mireau and Bracken Arms Estates) and Alplenlofts with direction to remove the signs by Aug. 20, 2009. To date none of the signs have been removed, although municipal staff have removed several signs on District of Squamish property.

"A number of signs were removed, those placed illegally on district property. But a number still exist because they are on private property with or without the permission of the property owner," explained Mick Gottardi, the director of community development.

Under the current bylaw Squamish has the right to remove signs on private property that don't conform to municipal bylaws, providing all efforts have been made to achieve compliance. For example, real estate signs on private property are only allowed to give directions to the development and some information about the development itself. As well, signs are limited to six square metres. Many of the existing signs are larger.

Gottardi says the companies have expressed issues with the sign bylaw, which will be discussed on Jan. 26. However, most of the current signs will have to come down.

Councillor Bryan Raiser asked who would pay to remove the signs. Gottardi answered that the cost would be borne by the district initially, but they would bill the owner of the sign for the cost.

Raiser asked if a mechanism to recover those costs could be built into any changes to the bylaw that result from the Jan. 26 meeting. Gottardi said staff would investigate to see whether that was possible under the Local Government Act.

 

Council debates loan guarantee

In the end council voted unanimously to provide a $500,000 loan guarantee to the West Coast Railway Association, but not before a debate over whether they should request collateral in exchange for the guarantee - something that the District of Squamish has done in the past for the WCRA, which pledged some of its valuable rolling stock as collateral.

"I don't understand why anybody needs a guarantor if they're going to get (the loan) from the bank in the first place," said Councillor Corrinne Lonsdale, concerned that taxpayers could be on the hook if the WCRA had to default for any reason.

According to Councillor Doug Race and Mayor Greg Gardner the issue did come up in earlier discussions with the WCRA, but they were satisfied that the association's rolling stock and other assets more than covered the municipality's risk.

In the result of a default the bank would go after the WCRA first before attempting to recoup money from Squamish, but if Squamish were required to pay as guarantor then the district would also have a right to go after the WCRA's assets.

"At the Committee of the Whole meeting we were given the information that there were substantial unencumbered assets of the West Coast Railway Association, and we were satisfied," said Gardner.

Lonsdale said she supported the loan guarantee and didn't want to tie up the application, but wondered if the issue of loan guarantees could be addressed in the future in district policies. In reply, Councillor Paul Lalli made a motion to refer the issue to the Financial Standing Committee, which was approved unanimously by council.

 

Harbour Authority opposes windsurfing, kiteboarding launch

In a letter to council Squamish Harbour Authority chair Bill McEnery noted his opposition to a plan to build a facility to launch wind surfers and kite boarders from the Mamquam Blind Channel - one of the recreation options pursued through the Squamish Oceanfront Development process.

"There are presently hi-speed (sic) water taxies, sail boats with high masts, numerous pleasure boats of all sizes, fast and slow, as well as float planes taking off in these exact shipping lanes," wrote McEnery. "To add traffic of this type crossing into these lanes would be absolutely ridiculous and terribly dangerous to all concerned.

"For the safety of ALL the users of this waterfront area, please do not allow this situation to happen."

Council received the letter and forward it to the Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation and other local groups that might be effected for their response. Doug Race said some of the issues surrounding the letter would be discussed at an upcoming meeting of the Community Planning Committee.

Chances gaming hall to open

Opening day for the Chances Boardwalk Squamish gaming centre is fast approaching, with the doors set to open on Feb. 1 at 6 p.m.

Located at the south end of Squamish, Chances will offer electronic bingo, slot machines, a fully licensed bar, live entertainment and a heated patio, as well as games like Keno that are sanctioned by the B.C. Lottery Corporation.

Squamish will represent the 14 th gaming centre by Chances, which has locations throughout the province.

Squamish Nation is a partner in the project along with Boardwalk Gaming and Entertainment, and will be represented in the gift shop, art and cultural offerings of the gaming centre.

 

Cruise ship arriving this week

A cruise ship that will house roughly 1,100 workers during the Olympics and Paralympics will arrive in Squamish Tuesday, Jan. 26, sailing up Howe Sound at approximately 8 a.m. Upon arrival the ship will be docked at the terminal, and workers will be bused from the sight to various Olympic venues.

The ship itself is the MV Mona Lisa, a 200-metre cruise ship owned by Leonardo Shipping and operated by Lord Nelson Seereisen.