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Units, water, transport discussed for South Britannia

Taicheng development suggests new ideas for community
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Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) board director Ted Craddock, said he expects Taicheng development officials to bring revised proposals to the SLRD in August or September, adding that proposals appear to be within the current Regional Growth Strategy.

He noted that as previously requested, Taicheng, which is planning to develop the community of South Britannia on Howe Sound, had permission for 1,000 units but hoped to have 3,000, which he said could house up to 8,000 people. But other aspects of the proposed project were changing. Up to 33 per cent would be "apartment-type" units.

"With that they have chosen to remove some of the buildings scheme they planned for Minaty Bay to turn that strip into parkland," said Craddock during his report to Pemberton Council on July 23.

He added that Taicheng had made an application through Crownland Grants to work with the waterfront there, along to the current pier in Britannia Beach. They would also like to keep a proposed hotel at a point in Minaty Bay that would not impact the waterfront, but if not acceptable they would bring it closer to the waterfront.

Waterflow is being inspected and developers have even talked about expensive desalination systems to get drinking water from salt water.

"It is very expensive but if they have to go that route they will do that," Craddock said.

He said the company is also talking about providing a transit service from South Britannia to North Vancouver because property purchasers they have been targeting say this is essential.

"With that in mind they have also talked about putting in a train station," he said, adding though that was unlikely.

All three reports put out by Taicheng to the SLRD to date will now be sent to the planning departments of the municipalities, not least because the project could enforce the need for a new municipality centred around Britannia Beach.

"The biggest concerns for most people would be the impact on the highway," Craddock said.

Soaring Club wants to used Pemberton Meadows Fields

At the SLRD meeting of July 22, a request by the West Coast Soaring Club to use Pemberton Meadows Fields as a landing zone proved the biggest issue of the meeting, with 10 club members turning out in support of landings there after SLRD staff recommended they not be allowed.

The club said that they would be satisfied by no landings being allowed when more than five people are in the field.

"There were quite a few people there. Essentially what we did was not tell them they couldn't use it," said Patricia Heintzman, SLRD chair. "But when there are more than five people they have to land at the other site."

The board referred it to staff to determine an agreement with the flying club: "making sure there are systems so people who do this are informed and their knowledge about when the field is actually booked."

Heintzman said she expected an agreement be back before the board in August or September. She noted that the directors for the Village of Pemberton and SLRD Area C are the only ones who can vote.

"The members weren't happy with the recommendation going forward, but I think they were happy with the results," Heintzman said.

Area D OCP changes go to public hearing

The proposed SLRD Area D Official Community Plan will go to public hearing in the fall.

Given first and second reading several months ago but then rescinded, the OCP for the southernmost area in the district, encompassing Britannia Beach and Furry Creek, was instead referred to municipal governments, Vancouver Coastal Health, provincial ministries and First Nations for comments. Their comments have now been incorporated.