The process of developing the Oceanfront Lands took another step forward on Sunday (May 28) when the public had the opportunity to meet the preferred proponent for the project, Qualex Landmark.
A family Open House was held at Totem Hall from 3-5 p.m. It was a chance for members of the public to meet and talk with Qualex, and with members of the 撸奶社区Oceanfront Development Corporation Board. It was another chance for the public to put forward ideas and suggestions, and to ask any questions.
The next step in the relationship between SODC and Qualex is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, followed by a Development Agreement. The MOU is a guiding document, and will be released to the public as soon as it practically possible.
However, most of the points have already been made public. The citizens of Squamish, through SODC, will own and control 50 per cent of the project. The SODC equity comes through the land; Qualex puts in cash. In addition to the 50 per cent share in returns from development, Qualex will pay $20 million (current appraised value) over the term of the development.
Qualex will pay all costs associated with the property since we acquired it from the province for $3 in 2003. They are also responsible for paying all costs as the site is developed. Essentially, this agreement allows SODC to develop the property without using any taxpayer money, and without incurring any taxpayer debt.
The master planning and rezoning process will take another 12-18 months to complete. During their time there will be multiple opportunities for public input, questions and discussion.
This leads to another point covered in the MOU. Everyone knows that public input in this process has gone back three years, including a charette project conducted by UBC and Smart Growth. Also included were several public meetings, where upwards of 1,000 people attended brainstorming sessions.
Two things emerged from all those sessions: a charette document that gives a community input into the role of the waterfront, and clear direction from the public that a combination of public space, public amenities, commercial, light industrial, marine and residential components is what the people of 撸奶社区want for their waterfront.
In the RFP process, where 15 companies submitted proposals, it was made clear to all what the public vision is and that the successful proponent would be obligated to follow the vision of the charette document. Having said that, everyone recognizes that the charertte document is a starting point, and was in fact completed about two years ago.
The master planning process will continue to flesh out the possibilities for the site, and begin to put costs to the project. Qualex will be spending significant money (over a million dollars) to get the consultants and experts to take the "wish list" from the charette and the public and come forward with a viable plan.
That plan has to satisfy the needs of you. It has to be accepted by the public, SODC, Council and our planning staff. It has to provide the components that have been identified as important by you, especially the green space and public access. It has been an unbreakable rule of this land since day one that the public trail and beach will be the closest thing to the water, and that public access would be available to our oceanfront for the first time in our town's history.
That brings up another important part of the MOU. It will include a "divorce clause". Simply put, if Qualex is bringing forth a plan that the community does not accept, Qualex and SODC will go their separate ways. The land reverts to you, through SODC.
Qualex will be responsible for all money they spend on soft costs (consultants, staff, etc). Any money they spend on improving the land will be paid back to them. It's a fair arrangement that protects the interest of the 撸奶社区taxpayer.
The Board of SODC has done an excellent job through this entire process. Two different Councils have unanimously endorsed its actions. The job continues, and it's our collective responsibility to make this the best project possible. However, it's also our responsibility to make it happen in a timely way. Our community has waited long enough to have an oceanfront that is publicly accessible with the amenities they want. Now is the time to get on with it.
