
B.C. judge says concerns ‘overblown’ in court challenge to Squamish townhouse project
VANCOUVER — The B.C. Supreme Court says concerns raised by Squamish, B.C., residents in a legal challenge to a townhouse development project are “overblown,” paving the way for high-density housing in one of the country’s fastest-growing communities.
A ruling issued Thursday says Dennis and Andrea Smith wanted to stop a four-unit townhouse project from being built on a neighbouring property, claiming a “building scheme” from 1959 only allows for single family homes to be built on the lot.
The court ruling says the developer behind the project, Clearwater Park GP Inc., sought to cancel or modify the scheme to allow the project to go ahead.
It says the homeowners opposed the townhouse project because it will “change the character of the neighbourhood,” impacting their privacy, increasing traffic and reducing pedestrian safety.