Gambier committee pauses OCP engagement pending Squamish Nation review

The committee will consider the Nation’s comments on draft shoreline and heritage protections at its November meeting before public engagement resumes.

The Gambier Firestarter · Governance · 2025-09-09 · updated 2026-10-09 · Gambier Island

The Gambier Island Local Trust Committee paused public engagement on targeted Official Community Plan and Land Use Bylaw amendments until it considers Squamish Nation staff comments on a draft shoreline Development Permit Area and a draft Heritage Conservation Area; staff are to present the drafts and referral comments at the November 25 meeting.^[1]

The committee’s motion followed a staff report that said the Advisory Planning Commission recommended pausing the planned fall engagement because the scope was not focused on specific proposed changes and draft language was not available. Staff said they agreed that proceeding without the drafts could cause confusion.^[1]

Planner Marlis McCargar said the Nation recommended a minimum 30-metre buffer for the shoreline Development Permit Area and preferred the committee consider a 50-metre buffer. The minutes also record the Nation’s emphasis on shoreline protection, soft-shore approaches and avoiding harmful shoreline modifications.^[1]

Trustee Kate-Louise Stamford said she was concerned about further delaying public engagement, while also saying the community needed clear information about what was being considered. Chair Laura Patrick raised the need for a communications strategy to accompany the release of draft bylaws.^[1]

The committee also amended the project’s business case to allocate $8,000 toward communication and public engagement on potential draft bylaw language.^[1]

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