Latest news with #SLRD
Hamilton Spectator
06-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
SLRD rezones part of the Callaghan for adventure tourism, eyes recreation upgrades in Area C
The Sea to Sky's ski and snowboard season may have mostly wrapped, but the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) still has plenty of exercise and outdoor adventure issues to tackle. To start, during a May 28 board meeting, the regional district voted to raise user fees at the Pemberton Fitness Centre. Fees have risen annually—at increasing rates—since 2021. The 2025-26 year will include a five-per-cent increase to user fees to reflect rising wages, contractor expenses, an elevated consumer price index and a decrease in space usage as long-term rentals have transitioned into their own spaces . A list of fees for the upcoming year can be found towards the bottom of a report to the SLRD's board . These fees take effect Sept. 1. The SLRD is moving ahead on a proposed rezoning of portions of the Brandywine Creek and Callaghan Valley areas to allow local operator, Blackcomb Snowmobile Ltd. (BSL), to continue operating on Crown land as an adventure tourism operator. BSL has licence to operate on the Crown lands through to the end of 2036, but has to abide by SLRD bylaws which require it to hold a six-year Temporary Use Permit (TUP). That TUP expired last year, prompting the company to seek a permanent rezoning of the tenure . The company's TUP permitted dog-sled tours, snowcat skiing tours, office facilities, equipment repair and storage, fuel storage, dog kennels, a staging area and a hut for backcountry guest warming and food service on 2,491 hectares of land south of Whistler. The rezoning would change the lands from a Rural Resource 4 zone, where motorized recreation and auxiliary commercial uses are prohibited, to a Backcountry Commercial 6 zone that would allow BSL's current uses along with a handful of proposed operations—notably, the addition of three housing units for staff. Following a board discussion on the rezoning application in 2024, BSL returned with an amended proposal that included a discussion of the socioeconomic impacts (60 jobs and 12 contractor positions), confirmation from a qualified environmental professional that the rezoning held no danger to the local landscape, a guarantee of sled dogs' welfare, a waste management strategy, incorporation of the SLRD's FireSmart principles and consideration of how the Cheakamus Community Forest's management plan applies to the rezoning. The original submission was also amended to exclude a proposed helipad. Squamish Director Chris Pettingill expressed concern over a lack of recent endorsement of the endeavour from Squamish Nation; there was a letter of support for BSL's activities issued in 2017, but nothing since. SLRD planner Anna Koterniak said the regional district reached out to the Nation on the rezoning application, but has yet to receive a response. She also confirmed BSL hadn't made a separate effort to reach out. The SLRD gave third reading and adopted the rezoning. Another BSL tenure expansion has been under provincial review since 2017, and will require a separate rezoning effort should it move forward. Pemberton resident Gus Cormack wrote the SLRD to advocate for the reinstatement of a pedestrian and cycling bridge at the Birkenhead River, which would connect Mount Currie's new site and Owl Ridge with the Friendship Trail via the Birkenhead FSR. 'The absence of a non-motorized river crossing at this location represents a missed opportunity to connect communities and promote safe, healthy, and sustainable transportation options,' wrote Cormack . 'A dedicated bridge would significantly enhance access for cyclists, pedestrians, and families, and it would further unify the region's growing trail network.' Area C director Russell Mack recalled the original bridge, installed by the Pemberton Wildlife Association, had been 'a challenging operation,' and recommended that staff develop a cost estimate for the endeavour. Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman flagged prior opposition from the Owl Ridge community to projects that risked increasing traffic through their area and mixed feelings from the Nation about the bridge. The Board elected to have staff review the request and check in with the Nation on where they stand on a potential new bridge. And in the waning minutes of the meeting, the board took up a $20,000 funding request for repairs on the Brian Waddington Hut . The hut, built in 1988 and managed by the University of British Columbia's Varsity Outdoor Club (VOC), is located on the shore of Long Lake, near the peaks of Mount Aragorn, Shadowfax, Galdalf and Peregrine. Accessing the backcountry building from Pemberton requires a 10-kilometre hike with about 1,000 metres of elevation gain. The BC Mountaineering Club (BCMC) estimates at least 1,845 users in 2024—but adds the estimate is likely low because many visitors don't sign in. Following work to replace the roof last year, the BCMC reports that 'a massive amount of rot in the walls' was found, requiring funding to repair the building. The BCMC requested $20,000 to allow the VOC to complete its work this summer. Mack moved to have the money come from Area C amenity funds. SLRD's chief administrative officer, Heather Paul, added the funds would be provided once the SLRD confirms the BCMC's non-profit status. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
06-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
SLRD launches free FireSmart wildfire mitigation assessments for residents
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has launched a FireSmart BC Wildfire Mitigation Program (WMP) in all four of its Electoral Areas, providing residents with access to free professional wildfire risk assessments to improve the area's overall wildfire resiliency. 'Our staff working throughout the region have heard from homeowners who are asking us to offer the WMP,' said SLRD board chair Jen Ford in a release. 'Our FireSmart team has taken all necessary training and is now ready to offer this comprehensive program to our residents. 'We hope homeowners will take advantage of this free program to make their homes more resilient to wildfires.' The WMP provides a professional, on-site assessment of a property, tailored recommendations on mitigation actions in a follow-up report and potential FireSmart certification that can lead to insurance benefits. It builds on the more general Home Ignition Zone Assessment (HIZA) that is already available to SLRD residents. Both the WMP and HIZA are available, free, to residents. Rebates of up to $5,000 are also available to residents who complete eligible fire mitigation work. The SLRD also warned residents to be wary of scammers claiming to represent FireSmart BC or the Regional District offering wildfire protection products or services. And while there have only been a handful of reported incidents in B.C. over the last few years , scammers have been known to use wildfire preparedness clinics and evacuation orders to exploit people. 'We want to emphasize to our residents that our FireSmart program is delivered exclusively by trained SLRD staff and upon request only,' said Ford. 'We never solicit services or information over the phone, and we don't sell products or services. 'Assessments like the WMP are scheduled only when the homeowner has reached out directly to request one. If residents encounter individuals misrepresenting themselves, please contact us so we can address the situation.' The WMP is already offered in Whistler , Pemberton and Squamish . Residents can request a WMP assessment through the SLRD's FireSmart's website, here . Residents can also phone 604-384-7323 or email firesmart@ to schedule an assessment or get more information about either program. To learn more, visit the SLRD's FireSmart page . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
20-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
SLRD seeks public input on new emergency communications plan
The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) is developing a new communications and public notification plan to keep residents informed before, during and after an emergency—and it wants your input. 'We have experienced first-hand the effects of a variety of different types of emergencies in the regional district,' said SLRD board chair Jen Ford. 'At all stages of an emergency, information is key, and having a plan to guide this process will help improve our overall preparedness for, and response to, emergencies in the future.' Recent wildfires, floods and landslides have prompted record-breaking activations of the SLRD's Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), according to a staff report . A policy gap was noted following the Downton Lake and Casper Creek wildfires in 2023, revealing the regional district lacked 'an overall public notification/ emergency communications would direct a timely, accurate and efficient public notification system and allow for the prompt dissemination of vital information in an emergency event.' The anonymous, 10-minute survey is meant to help address that gap. The communications and notification plan is being developed thanks to provincial grant funding administered by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). The grant, awarded through the UBCM's Community Emergency Preparedness Fund's Public Notification and Evacuation Route Planning Stream, is part of 'a suite of funding programs intended to support First Nations and local governments prepare for disasters and reduce risks from natural hazards in a changing climate.' The SLRD is working with Butterfly Effect Communications to finalize a communications plan by July 2025. The survey is open until midnight on June 4. Those who would prefer a physical copy of the survey are asked to contact communications@ .
Hamilton Spectator
29-04-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
SLRD approves temporary use permit for Britannia soil facility
TUP for Tiger Bay facility in Britannia Beach on 1.2-hectare former gravel site. A permit has been granted by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) for three years to construct a multi-use soil processing facility adjacent to Highway 99. Proponent Cameron Chalmers, on behalf of Tiger Bay Development Corporation (Tiger Bay), was granted the temporary use permit (TUP) to construct a soil processing facility near Brittania Beach in Electoral area D , at a board of directors meeting on March 26. The 1.2 hectare site was previously used for gravel extraction. 'The intent is for the facility to service various construction projects in the region, as well as to service the subject property once the necessary zoning and Official Community Plan designation are in place for a large-scale residential development,' reads the report to council. Tiger Bay is slated to develop South Brittania , the large commercial development consisting of affordable housing, a surf park, and amenities. The site will host soil stockpiling and blending, and rock and gravel processing. Whilst there will be portable equipment such as bulldozers and excavators, there are no permanent structures proposed for the site. The report to the board said that the soil will be moved to and from the site in dump-trucks using the intersection at Highway 99 at the north portion of the site. The traffic generated is expected to be 20 trucks per day during normal operations. Remediation service Della Terra is set to manage and monitor the quality of the earthen materials before their arrival, with records made available to the SLRD. Materials to be used will exclude invasive and hazardous species such as compost. Other proposed precautionary measures or key conditions for the facility will include the installation of a pipe system to collect and filter storm water, dust mitigation via road watering, and adhering to noise by-laws via sound barriers, operating within variable optimal hours, in turn ensuring minimal impact of traffic congestion. In terms of other regional impacts, the report notes that the facility 'may support the construction industry in the region. The proximity of the soil processing facility is expected to speed up travel times to construction times in the region.' The SLRD board first met in December last year to discuss these conditions, including information on soil contamination and invasive species. A public information meeting then took place in February. Amendments to the site's key conditions were discussed at the recent meeting. At the March 26 meeting, Anna Koterniak, planner and analyst for SLRD, reaffirmed the consistent quality monitoring and assurance of earthen materials: 'We are not regulating where the soil would come and go from, as long as it's a safe source,' Koterniak said. A potential amendment to the exclusion of hazardous materials was also discussed, specifically acid rock, but this motion was dropped as it was asserted that acid rock is not typically found in topsoil, and therefore did not render the soil processing moot or the soil itself contaminated: 'They've already agreed to do that level of inspection on [truck] loads coming in, and so I don't think it adds any additional burden than what's expected,' staff said. The staff member also emphasized that whilst the site would provide topsoil for on-site developments, it will not be designed as a retailer: '[The topsoil is] for a temporary, commercial soil and aggregate processing facility. It's not meant to be a sale facility,' they said. The motion for the TUP was passed with the support of the board, with the exception of director and Squamish councillor Chris Pettingill, who opposed it. 'I guess I'm trying to align what our vision is in terms of the OCP (Official Community Plan) and regional growth strategy,' Pettingill said at the meeting. 'We seem to be jumping all over the place in terms of uses, and we're moving on all different directions. Like, how do we sort of reconcile that?' Board staff said that the OCP's proposal for resource extraction, not only aligns with the site's current zoning and OCP designation, but would start on the opposite end to where residential construction would eventually take place: 'Provided that the zoning [is established] by the time they build the start of that site, the TUP would likely be expired, and the construction of the site can coexist,' staff said. Pettingill remained unconvinced. '[From] the amount of work we've put into getting through to the rezoning, and what I've heard from Creative BC and other agencies about preferred uses for the space, I'm just not convinced that in everything we're trying to do and where we invest our municipal time, that aligned use makes sense at this point in time,' he said. Electoral area D director Tony Rainbow asserted that Tiger Bay's upcoming development and this soil facility weren't incompatible. 'Proposing the activity that goes on here will facilitate what they want to do in terms of construction. So there's a connection with that,' he said. Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the LJI.
