What we see there now is a hill of dirt (It's sawdust from the old mill The condo complex plan for 1500 units is 12 storeys in height.) already blocking the views of greenery and scenery.  Scenery that is becoming the most popular in the world thru filming.

The film industry is bringing a world of people here who will be disappointed to see a hill of dirt and the typical tall buildings.  Those people will be hoping for re-runs to enjoy the present irreplaceable scenery.  Those filming can stay in Vancouver or Los Angeles to film views of tall buildings.  Those living in Vancouver can stay in their apartments there if Squamish offers the same old same old…  rezoning for tall buildings and high density housing with the land clear-cut and turned into a parking lot.

The long-suffering tax paying downtown homeowners deserve much better from Squamish Council.  Squamish doesn’t have to continue to be the dumping ground for Vancouver and Whistler, taking on their urban sprawl. 

The development of high-density housing devalues the decades of tax paying and more so the labor of love that has gone into each of the carefully tended downtown homes.  Trees filled with families of birds surround these homes.  These trees have grown up with the families in these downtown homes. 

After decades of enjoyment while living in co-existence with nature these long suffering taxpayers are told their life’s work is to be clear cut to become a parking lot for another tall building with nothing for a view but more tall buildings.

The tallest of these will block and ruin the view from Squamish.  More than the hill of dirt.

There is constant noise from the preparations for development.  Construction noise is certainly not conducive to filming from the waterfront.  The pounding in of pillars to support these tall buildings shakes houses in the downtown beyond belief and is extremely hard on the ears. 

The downtown homeowners in Squamish deserve much more for their homes than devaluation.  It is the duty of Squamish Council to protect and encourage the long suffering tax paying downtown home owners by attending to matters of drainage, infrastructure and property values.

The present increase in business may be lost when these tall buildings fill their main floor stores with duplicate services.

Home owners in downtown Squamish should see the value in their labor of love which has created a beautiful, scenic town known to the world thru constant filming for it’s scenery.

Squamish Council, Ladies and Gentlemen

After living at the south end of Squamish and enjoying the views there for most of the last 30 years I must speak in opposition to the re-zoning of the properties to accommodate another artisan village.

I must oppose the majority of Council members who have brought this to a Public Hearing.

Council members are elected to make the best choices for the people who live here and elect them.

Not to put the people of Squamish into debt to fund the infrastructure of new developments.

The word infrastructure is used at election time and said to be a priority. 

At budget time it is on the: 

“Get a loan for infrastructure” list.

The word environment is used at election time. 

At re-zoning time it is on the:

“New environmentally friendly Green Buildings” list.

The word hydrology is used at election time. 

At flood time it is on the:

“Must do something about it” list.

The south end of Squamish is one place here where floods happen. That is why the infrastructure is so important here.  The hydrology and infrastructure are out of control during a flood as is the budget.

There are deep ditches here, now. 

Using piping to accommodate development by extending the property would not allow for the scrubbing action of the storm drain water in ditches.

I must mention that birds enjoy feeding and drinking in these ditches. 

The birds enjoy nesting in the trees here. 

It is common practice to cut trees down after nesting season ignoring the fact that birds return to a nest annually. 

A tree is home to families of birds for as many generations as the life of the tree allows. 

There are beautiful apple trees here, which provide food. 

The trees here are 30 or more years old.  These trees Alders, and Evergreens are home to many generations of birds. 

For me, these trees buffer wonderfully and beautifully the view of the brick wall of the artisan village on the other corner of Second Ave.   These trees are well loved by the fans of the TV series Men In Trees.

 These trees are the beautiful scenery now for the TV series The Guard I am a part of now.  The beautiful scenerey is why the filming is done on the Squamish waterfront.  Re-zoning these lots will affect the views of those filming our beautiful waterfront.

Re-zoning these lots will affect the views of those who have invested in homes and businesses here for more than 30 years. 

Re-zoning will affect infrastructure, the environment and the hydrology. 

Each time an area is filled, compacted and left barren of trees the surrounding neighborhood floods.

The majority of the Squamish Council intends to replace with brick walls the views of trees and birds, mountains and waterfalls that are now free for all. 

These brick walls will be the viewing area for those who can afford hundreds of thousand dollar windows.

I have said this before. 

I must say it again because the majority of this Squamish Council is again voting in favor of re-zoning to accommodate developers.

The majority of this Squamish Council is again ignoring the views of the people in the neighborhood.