The District is explaining why Squamish's mayor didn't recuse herself during a vote that could affect development lands for a company she previously consulted for a few years ago.
It is an issue that has been raised on local social media.
A statement from the municipality to The Chief said Mayor Karen Elliott did not recuse herself because she doesn't have any relationship with Diamond Head Developments, nor does she have a pecuniary interest in the Loggers East Neighbourhood.
On Jan. 19, Elliott voted with the majority of council in a 6-1 decision in favour of passing second reading and sending the Loggers East Neighbourhood plan to public hearing, which will occur on Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.
The sole dissenting vote was from Coun. Chris Pettingill.
Broadly speaking, the plan will serve as a guide to development and land usage in the area.
However, the Loggers East area contains land that Diamond Head Development currently owns.
Diamond Head's website names the Finch Drive area as its "latest project."
"[Diamond Head] has secured four stunning mountainside view properties in central Squamish totaling over 20 acres," reads the site. "This future master-planned community will use modern building technologies to achieve some of Squamish's most energy-efficient multi-family homes."
Previously, Elliott recused herself from a council decision in February 2019 about setbacks for some houses in Skyridge, a Diamond Head project.
Elliott, who at the time had a consulting business, said she had done work for Diamond Head.
Furthermore, she said her children attended the Montessori school in the area, which was part of the Skyridge project.
However, Elliott suspended her consulting business on Jan. 1, 2020. The website to her business went offline that month.
The Chief contacted the District, asking why Elliott had not recused herself during the Jan. 19 vote, a matter which may affect Diamond Head lands.
In response, the municipality issued a written statement.
"The mayor recused herself from the decision on a development variance permit for the Skyridge development in February 2019 to avoid any apprehension of bias as she had facilitated a staff meeting for the developer in 2018 and her spouse was on the board of the newly-built Montessori School," reads the statement, which was issued by a District spokesperson.
"The mayor has no direct nor indirect interest in or relationship with Diamond Head Developments, nor does she have any pecuniary interests in the Loggers East neighbourhood, which is a broad neighbourhood plan initiated by the District of Squamish and not an application from a developer."
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