By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: April. 10, 2012
Site preparation begins this week for the Crumpit Woods housing subdivision in Valleycliffe.
Tree clearing work will begin immediately to start the first phase of the subdivision, which comprises 44 single‐family building lots,” said David Rittberg, the land development manager for the subdivision.
“We wanted people to know about the tree removal this week so as to avoid any speculation” he added.
The Crumpit Woods subdivision has been in the offing for more than a few years now, but was delayed because of the slow economy and unfavourable housing market conditions in Squamish.
Rittberg said there has been a tacit approval from the council for the project. A servicing agreement for the subdivision will soon be signed between the district and the developers.
“This project is very exciting news for Squamish,” Rittberg noted.
“In total, it represents about $50 million in capital construction costs.”
To begin with there will be 44 single-family lots, but eventually it would be expanded to 109 single-family building lots.
The average lot size will be 9,000 sq-ft, and the developer also plans to build homes.
The Crumpit Woods subdivision is located northwest of the intersection of Westway Avenue and Plateau Drive.
The proponent, Diamond Head Land Company Ltd., is part of the Cardinal Concrete Group of Companies. The most recent residential development for the group was the Edgewater Townhouse complex, completed in 2006.
Adriana Smith says
I have concerns about traffic and whether any plans/consideration has been given to the increased traffic on Westway (?). Is there another entrance/exit to this area proposed? This concern is mainly regarding even more traffic past Valleycliffe Elementary as well as emergency access. We saw what can happen when one access is lost. It was a mess!
Kram says
I guess they didn’t get the memo that the housing market is still oversupplied. Can’t wait to see vacant lots where the forest used to be, like the subdivision near quest going nowhere.
Anonymous says
It’s disappointing to see this kind of development – where the land is only “upgraded” and packaged for resale – continue in Squamish. We only need to look down the street to Raven’s Plateau to realise that this will likely end up in more empty lots that used to be pristine forest. What’s also unfortunate, here, is that no apparent thought has been given to the development of these 9,000 square feet lots. The only way that people will be able to have a home while preserving the outdoors, and to enjoy these things in a way that is indefinetly sustainable.
Fly Fishing says
In fact no matter if someone doesn
Anonymous says
thank god, its about time builders start to stimulate this slow town. build build and build some more. cant wait for the approval of GAS and the go ahead for the lift up the cheif. i seem to remeber 20 years ago when i bought my house for 119,000! wow sold it last year for 695,000 no complaint with that.
builders and progression benifits us all! or i guess we could take the sea to sky back to a two lane gravel road, how d ya all like that?
Jaime Grant says
Nothing against investment in the community. But what needs to be addressed is the affordability in this town. As you pointed out, you investment went up almost 650% in 20 years. If my income went up that much to be able to afford a house here then I would be be earning 650% more than I did 20 years ago. That would mean in my business that you would be paying about $400 for a steak at a restaurant. What needs to happen is a re-thinking on private land ownership. If the land was worth only the services and buildings upon it, then we bring back affordability.
Kristi Hansen says
this is a terrible idea. People are not looking for empty lots, or yet another subdivision of new single family dwellings. This town is full of them. I am, however, looking for acreage within Squamish (not in the Valleys). So many empty houses, condos, townhouses, it’s going to look like a vacant ghost town with those empty lots now too… boooooooo! Squamish’s lack of planning is going to send me to another town at this rate.
tiredofcrybabies says
see ya!
Spencer says
The developer of this property has been working on this project for many years now, and has involved many groups – including mountain bikers and trials riders – in the community while trying to shape the development. There have been open houses and various consultation sessions where concerns could be addressed, and if this is the first you have heard about the subdivision, it may be time to get a bit more involved in your community.
To think that there is a perfect balance of housing product on the market at any given time is to ignore market realities, this is not the first time that there are empty or unsold homes in a town or city. These cycles come and go, and in a couple of years there may be no lots to buy as there were only a few years ago.
One thing that I can agree with is that of the District of Squamish doesn’t appear to apply any principles while “planning”.
Adriana Smith says
I have to agree with Spencer. The people most vociferously decrying the lack of process on any issue were simply not paying attention to what was going on. Process is not always as we would like to see it, but it is there.
I have lived in Squamish since 1991 and have heard people freaking out at the development that has both occurred and is planned. It continues to amaze me that anyone living in this area, considering it’s proximity to Vancouver, is surprised by development. It is as sure as rain through to June! Be uncomfortable with it, but please don’t feign surprise.