SPECULATION AND VACANCY TAX WILL HELP HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IN NEW COMMUNITIES |
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FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (MINISTRY OF FINANCE): The expansion of the Speculation and Vacancy Tax will help eliminate speculative real estate practices and turn empty units into homes for people in additional communities in B.C. struggling with housing affordability. An independent review report of the speculation tax shows it is working in existing areas by helping to keep housing prices and rents lower than they would have been without the tax.
“People, businesses and service providers in Squamish are all facing the critical challenge of housing affordability,” said Karen Elliott, mayor of Squamish. “Our citizens want to see that we are addressing both the supply side, as well as advocating for demand-side policies that help make housing more attainable."
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SENIOR CITIZENS’ RECREATION AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS LAUNCHED |
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The District of Squamish is forming a new resident-based Senior Citizens’ Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee to guide the future of Recreation and Culture programming for the 55+ community in Squamish. The Committee will collaborate with and provide recommendations to District staff on programs, and provide a forum for feedback regarding recreation and culture programming for seniors in Squamish. The Committee’s work will focus on the delivery of programs across Brennan Park Recreation Centre, The 55 Activity Centre, and the Westwinds facility. Interested applicants are invited to apply at squamish.ca/committees.
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THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IS GROWING IN CANADIAN CITIES AND REGIONS |
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CIRCULAR CITIES MEDIA RELEASE: Fifteen communities across Canada completed an immersive year of circular economy knowledge sharing and action planning as part of the inaugural year of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and now a new group of 10 communities will embark on a similar journey in the second year.
Founded through a partnership between the National Zero Waste Council, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, RECYC-QUÉBEC, the Recycling Council of Alberta, the CCRI is designed to support Canadian communities on their unique journey to circularity. Through the network, community leaders learn and share best practices for implementing circular economy strategies and policies, and have important access to mentorship and support from advisors representing leading Canadian and international circular economy educators and practitioners.
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DISTRICT EXPLORES JOINT OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT OF THE SQUAMISH ADVENTURE CENTRE |
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The District of Squamish Council has endorsed staff exploration of the feasibility of entering into an agreement with Tourism Squamish and the Squamish Chamber of Commerce to assume the ongoing operational management of the Squamish Adventure Centre under a multi-year ‘head lease’ arrangement. The District received a joint Expression of Interest from the building’s two current tenants as part of the Squamish Adventure Revitalization Project, currently underway.
Earlier this year, the District advertised the opportunity to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) to lease portions of the Squamish Adventure Centre with the goal of increasing the services offered at the building that support the District’s Hardwired for Adventure brand, while enhancing community services and increasing the lease revenues to the District.
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UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS
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Tuesday, July 26 at 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, July 26 at 11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, July 26 at 6 p.m.
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Did you know? All Council Meeting videos are available with closed captioning. Learn more here. |
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PUBLIC HEARING - HAVE YOUR SAY |
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A Public Hearing is being held on Tuesday, July 26 at 6 p.m.
What's proposed: District of Squamish Official Community Plan amendment bylaw no. 2895 is intended to update greenhouse gas emission targets in alignment with the latest values set by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and incorporate a Regional Context Statement that addresses the updated Squamish- Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) Regional Growth Strategy (RGS).
Proposed bylaw: District of Squamish Official Community Plan Bylaw 2500, 2017, Amendment Bylaw (Accepted RCS and CCAP Emissions Target) No. 2895, 2022.
A copy of the proposed bylaw and related information that has been or may be considered by Council is available online (learn more below) or at Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue, through July 26. Please contact the Planning Department on 604.815.5002 for any questions. All submissions will form part of the public record. Council will not consider submissions received after the close of the Public Hearing.
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NOTICE OF TRAFFIC IMPACTS IN LOGGERS EAST |
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Residents and visitors of Squamish please note the following traffic impacts due to the Squamish Constellation Festival:
- A general higher volume of traffic in and around the Loggers East area of Squamish.
- Traffic management will be in place on Loggers Lane from the Centennial Way/Loggers Lane intersection to Finch Drive from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Friday to Sunday.
- Loggers Lane will be closed from Finch Drive to Raven Drive. This portion will be open to local traffic only.
- Festival drop-off location will be in the front parking lot at Brennan Park Recreation Centre. Please be aware of possible congestion.
- Festival attendees and Brennan Park visitors please use Government Road/Centennial Way to access Brennan Park and exit north through Highway 99. There will be no access to these locations from Finch Drive.
Drivers should be aware of increased pedestrians and cyclists in the area during the event. Brennan Park Recreation Centre will operate as normal.
Thank you for your patience!
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WHAT'S ON AT LET'S TALK SQUAMISH |
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Let's Talk Budget 2023
Each year, the District prepares a Five-Year Financial Plan to deliver services and programs to support Squamish today and into the future. The Financial Plan impacts us all, everyday. Each time you turn on a tap, visit a District park, or walk down a street, you are seeing the budget at work.
We are seeking community feedback throughout the process to better understand public priorities.
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Heritage Management Strategy
The District of Squamish is creating a Heritage Management Strategy that will aim to identify and manage the stories, places, and values that have shaped Squamish and will guide decisions about protecting heritage assets in Squamish.
With this strategy, the District is working to integrate heritage values into community planning.
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STAGE 2 OUTDOOR WATER USE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT |
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COMMUNITY NOTICES AND EVENTS |
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Notice of Elector Alternative Approval Process
The District of Squamish is seeking elector approval to finance a new Public Works Facility through an Alternative Approval Process (AAP). To minimize taxpayer impact, the District proposes to use long-term borrowing to finance the project and pay it back over 20 years so future taxpayers help cover the cost.
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District now accepting applications for Permissive Tax Exemptions
Permissive Tax Exemptions are a method that the District of Squamish, supported by Council, may support voluntary non-profit organizations by exempting land or improvements or both, from taxation under section 224 of the Community Charter.
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Join Council for coffee on Thursday, July 28
Join members of Council on Thursday, July 28 at Bean Around the World (41340 Government Road), from 8 to 9 a.m. for a casual conversation about funding the critical
public works facility and other important facility upgrades in our community. All are welcome to attend.
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Recreation Services field user requests
Field User Requests (Centennial Fields, Hendrickson, Artificial Turf Field and Howe Sound Community Field) for Season 2 September 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023, are now open. Please complete the Field Request Form for Season 2 available through the District of Squamish. Please submit your requests before July 31.
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Furniture Sale
The District is hosting a by-donation furniture sale of approximately 30-40 pieces, all of which are located at the Tantalus Fire Hall (prior to moving to the new Fire Hall in Valleycliffe). Help us spread the word and reduce the impact on our landfill!
- All items listed for sale are on our website;
- Each item description includes measurements and a photo;
- Items must be picked up at the Tantalus Fire Hall;
- Cash payments only will be accepted upon pickup; and
- Items will be marked SOLD once paid.
All proceeds will benefit Under One Roof.
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Apply for the Squamish Youth Council
Calling all Squamish youth aged 12-24! The District of Squamish is currently accepting applications for people interested in joining the Squamish Youth Council.
The Squamish Youth Council gives youth the opportunity to speak up and engage with the Mayor, District of Squamish Council and Community Leaders.
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2022 Summer Day-Use Pass Pilot Program underway
BC Parks now require a free day-use pass for all users to visit Garibaldi, Golden Ears, and Joffre Lakes. Passes are available to book starting at 7 a.m. two days in advance of your planned visit.
Some of the most popular parks regularly experience high visitor volumes, resulting in crowded trails and facilities, packed parking lots, impacts to park environments and wildlife, local community concerns, and safety issues. BC Parks implemented the Day-Use Pass Pilot Program to address these issues during peak periods at select parks.
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Danger tree removal
Work will be underway on Thursday, July 28 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to remove a danger tree on Mamquam and Paco Road.
Due to the tree’s location, Mamquam Road will be closed for up to 5 - 10-minute intervals. Traffic control will be on-site to ensure public safety.
Please obey all signage and use caution in the area. Thank you for your patience while this work is underway.
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Latest additions to the Development Showcase:
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Masks in public indoor settings are a personal choice. Please respect the individual decisions of others. |
Upcoming pool closure: The pool will be closed on Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7 to accommodate a swim meet.
August 2 - 5
From ladybugs to lions, from butterflies to bears, your little animal lover will enjoy exploring all aspects of the animal kingdom.
August 15 - 19
Come join us to learn about the hidden world of gardens through active play, science experiments, and fun art projects.
August 29, August 31, September 2
This camp is designed to get you ready for the upcoming season and combines our off-ice strength and conditioning program and multi-sport outdoor fun. Includes a full day of golf instruction led by PGA pro and SWHA coach Courtney Campbell. Come dressed in comfortable clothes with runners along with a water bottle and snack. Full hockey gear is required. All golf equipment will be provided.
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Sign up today!
This summer, there will be lots of fun for kids at the library. Check the event schedule to see what’s happening each day. The Summer Reading Club coordinator will be in the children’s area all day Tuesday to Saturday to update your reading record and to help you find lots of great books to read. Come down to the library anytime during open hours to sign up!
As part of the Summer Reading Club, the library is hosting weekly Meet your Community events on Wednesdays. This program is designed for school children (ages 5 – 15). All events are free and everyone is welcome. Registration for each event is required.
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Wednesday, July 27, 1 – 2 p.m.: Meet a Police Officer.
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Wednesday, August 3, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: Meet a Firefighter.
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Wednesday, August 10, 1 – 2 p.m.: Meet a Magician, Leif David.
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