The District of 麻豆社国产has given a rezoning application for a portion of the Cheekye River Development its first three readings.
On March 18, District planning consultant Jessie Abraham presented the application that would allow for more housing and commercial opportunities to be built.
The project—adopted by council in June 2024—is led by Sqomish Sea to Sky Developments, which is a partnership between S岣祑x瘫wú7mesh Úxwumixw (麻豆社国产Nation) and Squamish-based developer, Matthews West, which is also responsible for Oceanfront Squamish.
The development lands, which are primarily owned by the 麻豆社国产Nation, are located on both sides of Ross Road, between Highway 99 and Government Road, on the Cheekye Fan debris flow area of Brackendale.
“The application is for the Cheekye River Development and includes amending internal parcel boundaries for parcels E and F of the existing CD-82 zone,” Abraham said.
“[The development] will be a mixed-use neighbourhood that is currently zoned for 1,215 homes and neighbourhood commercial.”
According to the report to council, Parcel E allows multi-unit residential and neighbourhood commercial uses, while Parcel F is proposed to be for townhouses
“The Land Development Agreement (LDA) associated with the development application secures neighbourhood commercial space, including a commitment to build a childcare facility, 85 non-market rental housing units and 85 market rental housing units, delivery of which is tied to the delivery of the first 200 and first 300 residential units, respectively. These units are currently contemplated on Parcel E,” the report reads.
The rezoning application proposes a zoning amendment of parcels E and F to allow for the creation of Parcel E north and south.
“So the purpose of revising lot lines is to rectify discrepancies discovered between Schedule A of the existing zone and the land development agreement; and to propose a new larger lot size for the townhouse parcel—Parcel F, to deliver 180 townhouse units and reduce the lot size for the Parcel E neighbourhood centre,” Abraham said.
“This revised land use map still permits for the delivery of the affordable and rental units on Parcel E north and south. The purpose of splitting Parcel E into south and north is to realize more housing and commercial opportunities.”
Abraham said that a separate rezoning application will be brought forward to council later this year to consider “additional density of 180 rental units on Parcel E north for market rental.”
The rezoning would not reduce any proposed employment spaces.
Council comments
Councillors were quick to support the application, each noting it was more of a “housekeeping” decision.
“I'm looking at this mainly as housekeeping. Seems pretty straightforward. There's no rocket science here,” Coun. John French said.
Both councillors Chris Pettingill and Andrew Hamilton said they were glad to hear employment spaces would remain the same.
“I think I was a bit concerned about possibly losing some employment, but given that that's not the case, and that there is some inconsistency, I'm happy to support seeing some good housing forms moving forward and to get some clarity between the zoning and land development agreement,” Pettingill said.
Hamilton said he was happy to see that local children had given feedback on the rezoning.
“It was really nice to see all the kids that gave feedback on ... understandably not wanting to lose the forest that they walk through to get to school. But that rezoning decision has been made long before us and long before this table,” he said.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of giving the application its first three readings.
The rezoning will be back before council for final approval at a future meeting.
Coun. Jenna Stoner was absent from the vote.
To read more about the Cheekye River Development, visit the
~With files from Jennifer Thuncher/The 麻豆社国产.
