Visions of hundreds of new homes, green space, trail networks and a new seniors' centre downtown came before Squamish council this week.
At a special meeting of council on Tuesday (June 22), three development consortiums presented their concept of what should be done with the vacant areas of Block R between Bailey Street, Pemberton Avenue and the dike that extends between those streets.
Westmana Development Corp., the Townline Group, and Solterra Development Corp. responded to a request for expressions of interest (REI) issued by the District of Squamish (DOS). The DOS issued the REI earlier this year asking developers to come forward with development plans that included housing for seniors.
More than a dozen responses were received and Westmana, Townline and Solterra were asked to make detailed presentations to council.
The formal presentations will help council decide which of the three consortiums will be asked to enter negotiations for a letter of intent.
Each group was given 30 minutes to explain their concept to council. All three proposals call for significant green spaces and trail networks. The presenters all indicated their developments would offer mixed use housing with some units specifically designed for seniors living.
Solterra proposes 435 dwelling units for the site. Their proposal called for apartment buildings as tall as six storeys.
Townline is calling for a lower density at 380 units with some of those located in four-storey apartment buildings.
The Westmana plans indicate 440 units and a maximum of four storeys.
The Westmana proposal calls for the creation of a solar aquatic system that will clean the wastewater produced on the site. If the Westmana proposal goes through, two greenhouses will be built as part of the system. Adding to the "green" features of the Westmana project, the developers want the road system to encircle the development so the forest in the centre of Bock R can be preserved to create a park feeling in the centre of the development.
Bill Brown, a resident of the Eagle Grove Seniors Housing, attended the meeting on behalf of his neighbours.
"I felt Westmana had the strongest presentation," he said after the council meeting.
Council is expected to name the preferred proposal this summer.
