District of Squamish staff is seeking council’s authority to submit a crown land application in the District’s name to allow for the construction of the Cheekeye Fan debris flow barrier on Crown land.
The barrier will be constructed and maintained by the developer, Sqomish Sea to Sky Developments (SSSD). The District of Squamish will provide a ‘letter of agency’ to submit and manage the application process on its behalf.
According to a staff report, the Cheekeye Fan debris flow hazard has been well documented and is the most studied alluvial fan in Canada. Studies have concluded that there is potential for up to a 5.5 million cubic metre debris flow event to occur with potential for the debris to come into Brackendale and further downstream into Garibaldi Estates.
In 2013, Sqomish Sea to Sky Developments (SSSD), brought forward a Rezoning and OCP amendment application for a 1,215 unit development in Ross Road area on the Cheekeye Fan, which was given third reading in 2018.
However, District established a series of conditions that must be met prior to adoption of the bylaws, primarily pertaining to the hazard and risk mitigation. The cost of constructing the barrier and its ongoing maintenance must be fully funded by SSSD, even though it would be owned by the District as BC Inspector of Dikes has a policy that all dikes have to be owned and operated by a local or regional government to avoid issues with funding and orphaned structures.
The developer and the District will also sign a third-party agreement that covers financial security, performance expectations, indemnification, insurance, fees, access to the site for inspections and other relevant items.
SSSD are currently targeting to begin construction of the barrier in fall 2023.
