The District of Squamish is in the early stages of initiating a neighbourhood planning process for the Garibaldi Estates. This means that they are both trying to change the Veteran’s Land Act and plan for significant infill across garibaldi Estates over the next 20 years!
The Veterans Land Act was developed during WW II and followed a Canadian tradition dating from the 17th century of settling returned and ex-soldiers on the land. During the time, the district passed Bylaw 211, which restricts subdivision of parcels knows as the Veteran’s Land Act or VLA Lands.
The district has identified these lands for ‘infill development’. Although the district has not defined this term, it means that the district supports density in this area and is likely to push high density development in the area such as townhouses and condos.
All information on this subject can be found at the district website under the title ‘Garibaldi Estates Neighbourhood Planning Process’. We encourage everybody to read the document and be sure of what it means for the community in Squamish.
Currently there is a petition with over 375 responses that are opposed the the repeal of the VLA Land Act. Members of the Garibaldi Estates are planning the next steps in response to the district. To be apart of these plans, please join our mailing list on the home page.
Bylaw 211, from 1965, lays out the allowable subdivisions for the original 1 acre VLA lots, usually allowing them to be chopped once into two 0.5 acre lots, and then restricts further subdivision beyond that. Most of the VLA lots have now used that one subdivision and are now 0.5 acre lots. That bylaw is currently still in force, and protects the lots from being further chopped up smaller and smaller. DOS Planning dept. would like to rescind this bylaw, removing any impediment to further infill and development. Our group hopes to KEEP the 1965 bylaw 211 in place and oppose high density infill in our area!