By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: Nov. 21, 2012
Squamish citizens voiced strong support for a CIBC and Tim Hortons on Garibaldi Way in a public hearing at the council chamber on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
Opposition and concern over increased traffic, too, were raised, but they paled in comparison to the support the project received from those who saw it as a harbinger of economic development.
Ostensibly, the public hearing was only for a rezoning to allow for a bank.
But the subtext was clear: Squamish needs jobs and economic development, and a drive-through and increased traffic is merely a small price to pay for it.
Former Councillor Corinne Lonsdale was one of those who supported the project.
She said Garibaldi Highlands and Downtown Squamish were always supposed to be two commercial nodes in the town. She said there are four banks in downtown Squamish, and the proposed location for a bank should be supported.
“The jobs are family supporting jobs with benefits and pensions,” Lonsdale said.
“We need those jobs, and all jobs are good. I look forward to more jobs on the other side of the development as well.”
Dean Terry, the owner of Tim Hortons, said even though Tim Hortons might be a big corporate chain, it’s owned and operated by small businesses owners like him.
“As a small businesses owner, we live and shop here and we always try to give back to the community,” he said.
“We have given tens of thousands of dollars to Squamish Minor Hockey, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and other community fundraisers.”
He also said the second Tim Hortons will take the pressure off the existing one.
Local resident Dean Smith said the opposition rhetoric seems to be about preventing new businesses to protect existing businesses.
“I find that quite disturbing,” he said.
He hopes the council would listen to the large majority of those who support this project.
“The job of the council is to help set up new businesses, not try to create road block for them,” he said.
Similar were the view of Chris Rommell who said a majority of people in town supported the project.
Brackendale resident Carole Bird, however, isn’t one of them.
“I believe it does not reflect the goals and the values of the OCP Downtown First section, nor the 2000 plan, which calls for avoiding strip development,” she said.
“I’m opposing the location, and nothing else, there are plenty of excellent locations downtown for this.”
She also said the community would benefit from small commercial businesses on the large lot.
“I hope the council does not support this bylaw.”
Speaking on the behalf of Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association (DSBIA), Colleen Myers said financial institutions should be located in downtown.
“They belong to downtown and not on the Highway halfway to Whistler.”
Marnie Lett and Stephane Perron also voiced their concerns regarding the project.
Squamish Trails Society president Bob Brant raised traffic concerns, particularly the stacking of vehicles on Government Road.
The proponents are recommending a three-way stop at Garibaldi Way and Government Road, along with a left-hand turn off Garibaldi Way, and right-hand lane off Garibaldi Way.
Traffic consultant for the proponent, Sarah Allen, said the improvements will make the intersection safer.
Doug Day, Derek Cranfield, Ann Marie McKenzie, Denise Imbeau were others who spoke in favour of the project.
Elliot says
Ship of fools. Once again short-sightedness prevails in Squamish. And why not, this land owner is a long time local, all the friends came out to support regardless of the negative effects to the real business community (mostly off the highway), and ignoring better long-term strategy… Shame shame shame
Moe says
Right on the money, Elliot. Once again Squamish snatches defeat from the jaws of victory. The district plan expressly states no new banks outside of downtown, so why is this even being discussed? This project would produce 1-2 decent paying jobs, and a good number of LOW paying jobs. Squamish has enough of these. Why is the mayor and council not on the phone constantly pitching Squamish to companies to get them to relocate or expand here? You want to get re-elected? Get some real jobs in this town.
Dave says
There are reasons why the locations of new busnesses are changing and expanding away from the core of the old Down-Town……It’s called NEED.
The “core” is maybe where the Squamish District started but it should not be where it ends.
By the way, if my geography is correct, the proposed site for the new Bank is not halfway to Whistler!!!….Rather a silly, gross exageration, I think.
Ana says
I look forward to more banks and doughnut shops. That’s progress.
Brad says
I think opponents are making the perfect the enemy of the good here. We are not always going to be able to set the terms by which investment is undertaken and jobs are created. People investing in a business (usually) take care to pay attention to location. Chances are they would not make a similar investment in an area they don’t want to be in. Since this is not virgin forest anyway and there is a *ton* of commercial around it already, is a bank going to hurt anything? The Tim’s is a done deal due to zoning, so really this is just about the bank. I can’t think of anything more innocuous than a bank. It certainly won’t hurt a bunch of people who will have full time jobs with benefits here in the community. That likely won’t happen if we say no and CIBC declines to set up Downtown.
As a small business owner myself, I have survived 12 years and a dozen or more local and non-local competitors, a certain large pharmacy place and others to make it where I am today. The reality is we are competing every day not just with each other but also the city, where a large number of Squamish residents regularly shop. The best way to support local business is to create local jobs so people don’t need to travel out of town for work and into the waiting arms of city retailers. We don’t exactly have a lineup of business investment banging down our door right now. That means we will need to accept the ‘good’ here and there for the time being. CIBC = Good to me.
Anonymous says
I second those sentiments, Brad!
Donny says
Come on Elliot , careful; Michelle Charlton is no more local that Santa .Check google , it says her company is an out of town developer. So forget the comments about local conspiracy.
What you could worry about is the traffic mess from four drive-ins facing each other on a road that is all of 200 yards long seperating a major highway from the ONLY exit south from Brackendale. Now that is something to shout about.
James says
C’mon Elliot, check your facts before you spout off.
The land is Petrocan property, formerly Gulf Oil property.
It is not owned by any ” long time local.”
In 1957, W.A.C. Bennet, provincial Premier, told the Squamish town leaders that their business section (down town) was in the wrong location. He said it was located on a dead end street, on the wrong side of the tracks, and should be relocated on the highway a few miles north of it’s existing location.
His advice was ignored by the powers that be at the time, and the Downtown has struggled ever since then.
Don’t forget that the majority of Squamish residents live north of the Mamquam River, Or “halfway to Whistler” as one of the speakers for the Downtown Business Association so ineptly put it. If she doesn’t even know where Garibaldi Highlands is, it’s no wonder the Downtown business owners are suffering.
I don’t see anything wrong with 75% of the population of Squamish wanting to have 20% of the banks in their own neighbourhood.
Anonymous says
I look forward to more banks and doughnut shops.
Brackendale Mother of Four says
My family is passionate about cycling and reducing our carbon footprint, as are many Squamish residents, councillors included. For a councillor to say they will not allow any more drive-thrus, and yet only allow new businesses in the downtown district is oddly paradoxical. Squamish is seven kilometres from Brackendale. Travelling downtown and back on my bike often takes over four hours. The more I can do in the Estates the better, as I can wrap up all travelling to/shopping/banking needs in less than one hour – on my bike, with two kids riding their own bikes. Our community, as much as we would like to think otherwise, is not a walkable / bikable community for many people. It is only logical to allow businesses to pop up where people live. Stop trying to force businesses downtown.
Stéphane Perron says
I saw a lot of speakers at last Tuesday’s public hearing speak in favour of the Tim Hortons and CIBC drive-throughs at the corner of Highway 99 and Garibaldi Way. But what I did not hear from those speakers, is how having those outlets at the northern entrance to Squamish, fits in with a larger strategy to bring growth and opportunity back to Squamish. The zonings we are honouring were established in the 1960’s. Those zonings reflect a vision that was laid out 50 years ago. Is that vision still adequate for Squamish today?
What the media did not report on, were the people who spoke at the hearing of an economic vision for Squamish that reflects the opportunities the community has identified in numerous consultation processes. Our potential as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada is our best hope for good jobs, and a community that is vibrant and healthy. It is the basis upon which we can attract investment in the manufacturing, knowledge, and tourism industries. We should feel lucky that our natural assets and location between Vancouver and Whistler provides us with such an opportunity. Other communities can only wish to be in such a situation. But what are we telling first time drivers on Highway 99? And the repeat drivers that still only drive through town?
In terms of exposure, Highway 99 is our so called, lowest hanging fruit. It is our front face to the world. It is the best and easiest opportunity we have to make a lasting impression on thousands and thousands of people.
One of the main conditions we must create to send the right message, is for visitors to be able to interact with locals. As one local business owner said at the hearing, we need to create opportunities for people to hear our story, to get a taste of the Squamish culture. Visitors need to be able to browse through a shop, or sit down at a restaurant and have a conversation with a local. It is in those kinds of settings that visitors can hear how marvellous this place is, and how passionate we are about living here. That is the foundation for putting Squamish on the map as a desirable place to be. A drive through fast food outlet and a bank will not achieve that. Anything that ushers traffic through town as quickly as possible is a mistake.
It is grand time to rewrite our zoning bylaws to reflect the direction we want our community to take. I, as much as anyone else, look forward to the development of the vacant lots and unsightly properties that dot our highway and community. Lets make sure those developments contribute to a lasting and positive impression of Squamish. One that will foster confidence in our future, and bring investment and opportunity back for all of Squamish.
Anonymous says
Stephane, do you think there were developers beating down the door to do business there? Even if Tim’s and CIBC did not go there, I have not heard you suggest a business that is viable and will pay the same property tax? What exactly do you want?
Bob Brant says
If this development goes ahead, I suggest to the District that the Brackendale-North Road-Hwy 99 right-in/right out must be fast tracked to within the next 5 to 10 years. It may well be needed sooner. Will there be developer contribution to this?
It’s quite likely that, with the approval of this development, other adjacent properties will develop, adding more volume on Brackendale’s main access route to the highway and to downtown. All this will further increase risks for school children, pedestrian and cyclists as well as frustrating motorists.
Progress has its costs. Prepare for it. Sooner than later.
Bob Brant says
I must make an adjustment / addition to my previous post, in the first paragraph where I ask the question, “Will there be developer contribution to this?”
By this I mean any developer of commercial property within the Government Road-Garibaldi Way vicinity, as there are a number that could be developed and add to the traffic volume.
Anonymous says
I like Tim’s but do we really need another Bank? No CIBC!