樱桃视频was the fastest-growing census agglomeration (smaller urban areas ranging from about 10,000 to 100,000) from 2016 to 2021, With this level of growth, the need for vastly improved infrastructure, transit and services, commercial job opportunities with living wage salaries/pay, amenities and more housing is evident.
Addressing the accommodation issue, the council, at the Feb. 15 public hearing, reviewed revising the Zoning Bylaws to densify housing in all 樱桃视频neighbourhoods. It took significant public pressure and a petition to convince council to defer the multi-family zone setback regulations back to staff.
Densification may be necessary to accommodate this level of growth, but it needs to be done with proper (master) planning of neighbourhoods with complete streets that accommodate walking, cycling and transit. What is happening now is piecemeal planning, where individual developers within neighbourhoods are asked and cajoled into designing residential spaces that go beyond the current variances and setbacks. The sole purpose of the revision of Zoning Bylaws, as we recently discovered with the Wilson Crescent development proposal, is that the District is willing to reduce setbacks in exchange for having the developers pay for the infrastructure like sidewalks, that the District knows it needs, but can’t afford because it is not charging high enough DCCs (Development Cost Charges) and CACs (Community Amenity Contributions) to developers.
As a result, everyone loses except the District, which gets to collect more tax dollars from residents to fund infrastructure and facilities.
In the revision of the Zoning Bylaws, primarily the developer/builder community have been consulted, not the residents of Squamish. This is not a transparent government. Council and staff need to extend the time for public consultation and actually heed the concerns of residents and neighbourhoods.
I trust that council and the District staff will use this census data to make a strong case to apply to both the provincial and federal governments for appropriate funding to alleviate 樱桃视频residents from the heavy financial burden and encroachment on the personal enjoyment of existing residential properties, services and recreational spaces.
I also look forward to reviewing council’s economic development plan that will bring excellent commercial and professional jobs to 樱桃视频and will assist in increasing the tax base while alleviating the tax burden on residents and their homes.
Jacqueline Menezes
Squamish
