#sqpoli — Public Fediverse posts

Squamish Council wants thoughts on a tax agreement negotiated with Woodfibre LNG. The deal is more than a decade in the making. Learn more at this link and please let us know what you think of the tentative deal. #sqpoli #localgovernment #lng https://squamish.ca/projects-plans-and-initiatives/projects-in-our-community/wlng-agreement/

The political history of Squamish. The list of Squamish Council members dating back to the 1940s didn’t exist in one place so I created it.
https://www.johnfrench.ca/post/squamish-council-complete-history
#sqpoli #localhistory

MLA Jeremy Valeriote is picking up where former MLA Jordan Sturdy left off regarding fuel pricing in the Sea to Sky Corridor. I’ll be drawing attention in the next council meeting (July 7) to a letter Valeriote wrote to the BC Utilities Commission asking that organization to monitor fuel pricing in Squamish. Residents are fully aware of the profit taking happening here as Metro Vancouver drivers enjoy fuel prices that are far lower than what the gas stations in Squamish are currently charging. #sqpoli #bigoil

A temporary shelter for the unhoused in Squamish, BC 🇨🇦 is proposed for the downtown area in a park currently under construction to install a sea dike. Backlash over the location has been swift with parents concerned about child safety. #sqpoli #localgovernment

Squamish Council will appoint 3 members of council to a Land Back Task Force. The 3 council members will collaborate with 3 Squamish Nation Council members supported by staff from each organization. The Task Force will develop a framework for Land Back within the District. Land Back does NOT mean removing people from privately owned property. #sqpoli #LandBack #reconciliation

Bold new venture coming to Squamish Council for approval of a Development Permit. This proposal is for a brewery and tasting room on a small lot at the end of Cleveland Avenue. The proponents want to put a railcar on the site to be one of the eating and drinking areas. #sqpoli #railroad #craftbeer https://squamish.civicweb.net/FileStorage/DF74E2E266844C37B9B18B52B3F5A6A2-Development%20Permit%20No.%20DP000648%20%E2%80%93%2037781%20Cleveland%20.pdf

Over the last few days a number of people have brought up the parking challenges currently experienced in in my community (Squamish, BC 🇨🇦 ). Back in February of 2024 I wrote a blog and created a video about this. If you haven’t seen these yet, I encourage you to have a look. https://www.johnfrench.ca/post/baby-you-can-drive-your-car #sqpoli #carculture #activetransportation #localgovernment

Separating out kitchen waste and other organic waste from the rest of the garbage generated from households has many advantages. A report from the consulting company Stantec assesses the organic waste collection system in Squamish. #sqpoli
https://squamish.civicweb.net/FileStorage/4D7D8668E3E64179BF06EB2EE9998807-0729%20Stantec%20Consulting%20Ltd.%20Re%20Curbside%20Collectio.pdf

Fresh back from Victoria and the 2025 Union of BC Municipalities annual conference I created a blog post. Check it out. https://www.johnfrench.ca/post/brainstorming-and-idea-stealing #sqpoli #bcpoli #localgovernment

ICYMI: The District of Squamish is working to reopen the Brennan Park ice arena as soon as possible. Your questions about the situation are answered at this link. https://squamish.ca/rec/temporary-arena-closure-faq/
#sqpoli #localgovernment

There's a new post on my blog. It's less about politics and more about poetry. https://www.johnfrench.ca/post/an-artistic-moment #sqpoli #localnews #localgovernment

On Tuesday, Squamish council members will discuss an application to convert a home in a residential area into a daycare centre for up to 49 kids. It's widely supported and those with concerns are worried about additional traffic and pedestrian safety. #sqpoli #daycare #publicpolicy
https://squamish.civicweb.net/FileStorage/4A850ABE3F9340449A5DF482995D4BBF-District%20of%20Squamish%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202200,%202011,%20.pdf

Would you rather watch the Oilers vs. Panthers game or sit in a windowless room and talk about policy? The Oilers will have to win this one without me. We've got a new housing project that needs to be reviewed. #sqpoli #governance #localgovernment

Flew to Ottawa today and there was a political celebrity a few rows up from me on the plane. Mr. Singh was so graceful with all the people who wanted to say hello to him. A huge number of people on the plane were elected officials also on their way to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention in Ottawa. #sqpoli #ndp #fcm

With uncertainty continuing at Canada Post, Squamish property owners are encouraged to create a MyCity account to access property tax and utility notices online. For instructions on how to create an account and register your tax and utility bills, check out: squamish.ca/payonline. If there is a mail disruption other options for getting and paying these bills will be rolled out. #sqpoli #mailstrike #municipalgovernment

The deadline to complete the District of Squamish Citizen Satisfaction Survey online is Tuesday, May 20 at 4 pm. The survey results help the DoS understand how residents are doing and how well the District is delivering programs and services. Survey responses will help guide strategic planning, budgeting and service improvements. #sqpoli #survey #municipalgovernment letstalksquamish.ca/citizen-satisfaction-survey

Happy Mothers Day to moms everywhere. We need to think about our mothers as they age. On Tuesday Squamish council will be discussing aging in place. https://squamish.civicweb.net/FileStorage/247629F2D51541CBA60CB14DCB28C352-District%20of%20Squamish%20Age-Friendly%20Community%20Plan%20-.pdf #mothersday #sqpoli #seniorliving

For graph lovers and demographers. Squamish 🇨🇦 had a population of 14,900 in 2001 and by 2025 that number had grown to just above 30,000. By 2046 Squamish is expected to have a population of between 40,100 and 49,000 people. #population #growth #sqpoli

For those interested in municipal development fees, this report will be of significant interest. Community Amenity Contribution, Amenity Cost Charges and Development Cost Charges are complicated. Anyone who feels the District of Squamish doesn’t collect enough in the way of development fees from developers needs to read this report. #sqpoli #development https://squamish.civicweb.net/FileStorage/47247D96847E44B3BD9C3B42CF2AA9DC-District%20of%20Squamish%20Amenity%20Cost%20Charge%20Bylaw%20No..pdf

Big decision coming up for Squamish Council. Following all the work on how to best implement a paid parking program, District of Squamish staff recommends we start with a pilot project until the end of 2026 at Darrell Bay. A resident parking pass system is suggested. Read more here: https://squamish.civicweb.net/FileStorage/92CD3D0B118B4B8B979CDC21E86A973C-Paid%20Parking%20Update%20-%20Report%20to%20Council.pdf
#sqpoli #squamish #parking

On Tue, Jan. 7 Squamish Council voted 4-3 (Hurford, Stoner and Andersen) to send the 5-storey apartment proposal at Westway Centre back for further evaluation. My top concern is the shading impacts on the townhouse development next door. Developments in Valleycliffe simply can't rob neighbouring properties of evening sun. #sqpoli #sunshine

I took a look back at 2024. Feel free to check it out. #ICYMI #sqpoli youtu.be/zcxLxyndUWo

Sunlight is important in the Valleycliffe area of Squamish, BC. Check the shadow study for a development proposal at 38201 Westway Ave. The proposal is to demolish the commercial space in the NE corner of the property then replace it with a new smaller commercial area and apartments above.
From the shadow study you can see that the townhouse residents next door are going to lose evening sunshine from spring to fall if this building is constructed.
Thoughts?
#sqpoli #sunshine #solar

For those who aren’t aware, I have a website and a blog page. Blog topics range from housing to transportation to waste management and more. www.JohnFrench.ca #sqpoli #localgovernment #golocal #closetohome

Mandatory reading for those who feel Squamish, BC 🇨🇦 doesn’t charge developers enough for the privilege to rezone for development of new buildings. Development Cost Charges and Amenity Cost Charges are being reviewed AGAIN. The early numbers up for discussion are interesting. #development #developmentcostcharges #growth #communitydevelopment #sqpoli https://squamish.civicweb.net/FileStorage/2E34FBC7CB6049BDB75EE4AE3127218D-Development%20Cost%20Charge%20and%20Amenity%20Cost%20Charge%20By.pdf

Squamish Council is going to make a key decision on Tue, Nov. 19 regarding the Walmart store in the Squamish Business Park. We’re being asked to change the existing zoning to remove restrictions on the sale of food items. If approved it'll mean Walmart can fully compete with Save-On-Foods, Nesters, Hector’s Independent Grocer, Stongs and the other smaller outlets selling food in Squamish. #competition #groceries #bigboxretail #sqpoli https://squamish.civicweb.net/FileStorage/BEA1AC893F8A4A60B7E12EB4338FE707-District%20of%20Squamish%20Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%202200,%202011,%20.pdf

Going thru the Transportation Master Plan documents ahead of a meeting of Council on Tue, Nov. 12.
“If the population grows as planned and everybody continues to get around as they do today, the road network would become overly congested and impact the livability of the community. It is not possible to increase the capacity of roadways to match, either from a constructibility or a financial perspective.”
Excellent work.
#sqpoli #squamish #localgovernment https://squamish.ca/yourgovernment/projects-and-initiatives/transportation2040/

There's a new blog post at my website and this one includes a short video I created. This post shares details of a new housing development in Squamish. Check it out here: https://www.johnfrench.ca/post/squamish-nation-adds-to-local-housing #sqpoli #housing

Preparing for council meetings on Tue (Oct. 15) and two things jump out at me from the budget work currently underway. The five year financial plan calls for spending on a new pool to begin in 2027 ($950,000) and in 2028 ($950,000) for a new ice rink. Money is budgeted in large sums each year after for both projects. https://letstalksquamish.ca/budget-2025 #sqpoli #localgovernment

Squamish Council will hear a public works building project update from District of Squamish staff on Tuesday (Sept. 3). The project budget is $39 million with completion expected in the winter of 2025. The Committee of the Whole meeting agenda package includes a report on current progress so anyone who wants to dig deeper into this project can access more detailed info through the DOS website. #sqpoli #municipalinfrastructure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtCiXvSHxJM