Update (March 13, 2024)
The proponent of the Paradise Trails development says they have officially submitted a development permit application.
The proponent of the project based in Paradise Valley with approximately 82 homes says they have filed a development permit application with the District of Squamish, according to a news release from March 13, 2024.
"This week, we filed a development permit application with the District of Squamish Planning Department. This was a significant moment in the long journey from concept to community," said Michael Goodman, president of Tri-City Developments Ltd. which oversees the project, in the release.
Goodman added they had been working with the District's planning department for numerous years to ensure the project was "safe and sustainable."
This information comes a little over six months since Goodman asked the District to pause the rezoning of the project's location, which would not have allowed more than one principal building on the land.
The new release notes that the next stages of the project should follow in the coming months.
For more information, read The Squamish Chief's original story about this project below.
—Original story—
The proponent of a Paradise Valley development project has asked the District of Squamish to pause the rezoning of the project’s location, which would not have allowed more than one principal building on the land.
The District has since honoured the request.
The project is called Paradise Trails and is described in a news release as “an equestrian-themed, rural residential eco-village that will provide 82 family-size homes with secondary suites approved for rental on lots that range in size from 0.25 to two acres.”
The properties with the project are District Lot 1519 and 1250, which are located about one kilometre north of the Midnight Way and Paradise Valley Road intersection.
Michael Goodman, the president of Tri-City Group and proponent of the project, told The Squamish Chief he recently had a short meeting with the District’s planning department about the project.
“We're hoping to meet with them again in the near future,” he said.
Long-time Squamish residents may recognize the name as the project got council’s final approval in 2012, even though District staff did not recommend it going ahead at the time. The project was in discussion at council chambers for several years before that final decision.
Since 2012, Goodman said they have had studies and geological assessments completed. Lately, he said they have had engineers designing the infrastructure to meet the requirements of the studies.
A spokesperson for the District, Rachel Boguski, told The Chief that they had been considering rezoning a portion of the property from CD-52 to Resource zoning to “manage community flood risk.”
The rezoning consideration was said to be in line with the Official Community Plan and Integrated Flood Hazard Management Plan, which recommends “avoiding development in high flood risk areas.”
However, Boguski wrote that the ”landowner had indicated that they would continue to work towards addressing issues related to flood hazard on the subject property.”
Thus, the District has delayed the rezoning consideration.
Goodman told The Chief that he still plans on offering community benefits to coincide with the project. Some of those benefits include a legally paved road to the property, a Bailey Bridge upgrade, five kilometres of public trails near the site and a fire hall with a truck and equipment for a volunteer department.
“So we're still interested in doing it,” he said of the fire hall and associated equipment. “We think that's what people want.”
He added that the project would “make a contribution to affordable housing.”
The District has had “periodic correspondence” with Goodman since 2012, said Boguski, but Goodman has not submitted a development application since that time.
“Next steps are unknown at this time,” she continued.
For more information about the proposed development, visit the project’s website at paradisetrails.ca.
