A large development proposed for downtown Squamish is not getting unanimous neighbourhood support.
A public information meeting held on March 10 drew a number of people who believe the proposed development is wrong for the area.
Belltar Holdings, working with Siegfried Toews Architects, wants to develop a two-phase comprehensive development zone project between Fourth and Fifth Avenues near the library. The plans call for a total of 160 living units.
The first phase plan is to build two apartment buildings containing 50 units in each building."This is not the project we wanted there," downtown resident Dennis Harney said after the meeting. "We want development but not that development."
David Warner, a member of the architecture team working on the project, said opposition at any public meeting is common.
"Three or four people took control and did most of the speaking," Warner said.
Since the public open house, Warner said his team took the legitimate concerns heard at the meeting and shared them with the developer.
"We have heard legitimate concerns," Warner said. "We're thankful for the comments."
Harney said a petition against the development is circulating and people who feel the development is not acceptable for downtown are signing.
"One of the concerns is the density," Harney said.
"They are going to be very big units."
The apartment buildings are to include four floors of living units above ground level parking.
"They're going to be funneling literally hundreds of cars down there," Harney said.
The neighbours are more supportive of a townhouse, duplex or single family homes development, said Harney.
Warner added that the neighbours have a list of safety concerns.
According to Warner, the development team is reviewing their plans for the property.
