A non-market housing project for those employed in the SLRD corridor.
Show Your Support
Many Stunned by SLRD Rejection – What can be done about it?
By a 6 -4 vote the SLRD Board rejected the first reading of a bylaw that would have created 52 non market housing units for locals. This was a reversal of a previous vote by the Board instructing staff to work with WedgeWoods to proceed with a zoning bylaw. You can see the Board presentation in the video on this page, starting at the 2nd hour and 44th minute. Further community reaction to this can be found in the most recent Pique Magazine on page 32/33.
The SLRD Board Members that voted against the housing bylaw that would have created 52 non market housing units for locals:
- Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman
- Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton
- Whistler Councillor Jenn Ford
- Area B Director Vivian Birch-Jones
- The two Squamish Councillors representatives
For those as disappointed as we are, there is the potential for this situation to be reconsidered if enough concern is raised with the decision made by our elected officials. This matter can be revisited by the SLRD Board at the Sept 16th meeting if enough residents email their concerns to the Board members.
The link below will lead you to a pre-addressed email into which you can detail your request for a positive reconsideration of this matter. Don’t hesitate to share your own personal experience as to why our politicians must support the creation of non market housing.
We need community support to move forward with the Wedgewoods West project and turn it into a reality.
We need your help to show the board members that there is community support for Wedgewoods West. They have already rejected it once, and we want to let them know there is community need for non-market housing for locals. If you feel that the community would benefit from the housing proposed (see the FAQ above for more details about the project), please show your support by sending an email to each of the SLRD board members or by using the button below! Be sure to reference the subject: Zoning Amendment Application Wedgewoods Non Market Housing. Every email counts!
Additionally, you may want to provide a brief outline explaining your current circumstances and why a non-market project such as Wedgewoods West will make a difference to you and the people you know.
Contact your elected representatives
Here are the contact numbers of the people in power who need to hear why we need projects like Wedgewoods West in the Sea to Sky Corridor.
- Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton
jcrompton@whistler.ca
(604) 902-8747 - Whistler Councillor Jen Ford
jford@whistler.ca
(604) 935-8226 - Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman
mrichman@pemberton.ca
(604) 966-6309 - Electoral Area B: Vivian Birch-Jones
vbjones@slrd.bc.ca
(778) 209 0066 - Squamish Councillor Doug Race
drace@squamish.ca
(604) 898 151 - Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott
kelliott@squamish.ca
604 898 4976
- The Pique Newsmagazine
edit@piquenewsmagazine.com
604 898 4976 - SLRD Board Chairman Tony Rainbow
trainbow@slrd.bc.ca - Russell Mack
russellmack3@icloud.com - Sal DeMare
saldemare27@gmail.com - Barbara Wiebe
bwiebe@lillooet.ca
About Wedgewoods West
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36 non-market for purchase townhomes
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16 non-market rental apartments
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12 single family strata lots.
Wedgewoods West is an opportunity for the extended community to experience the best of the Corridor.
Surrounded by lands that are covenanted for recreational uses only, Wedgewoods West will have the happy balance of comfortable living in the midst of the forest.
Whether it is kayaking across the street on the Green River or stepping out your back door to get onto bike trails (like nearby ‘Kill Me Thrill Me’ or ‘Comfortably Numb’) the best of Corridor living is there to be experienced. Mixed in with the outdoor experience are other opportunities, such as a car share program, that will support trip reduction measures for the homeowners at Wedgewoods West.
FAQ
What is Wedgewoods West?
Wedgewoods West is a non-market housing project proposed to provide a mix of rental and owned units on roughly 5 acres of land. Located approximately 6 km north of Rainbow neighbourhood on the west side of Highway 99, the development would lie just across from the entrance to the WedgeWoods Whistler subdivision.
What type of housing will be offered?
It is proposed that a residential strata community will be created which will contain 36 three bedroom townhomes for ownership and a further 16 one and two bedroom apartments for rent. The townhomes which will be offered for sale will range in size between 1427 square feet and 1686 square feet. The apartments available for rent be one bedrooms of 652 square feet and two bedrooms of 793 square feet.
Why are these homes called Non-Market?
The initial offering price for the for sale townhomes will be significantly less than compatible market housing presently available within the SLRD. As well, the rental apartment units will be offered at rates similar to covenanted rental housing found elsewhere in the SLRD corridor. To ensure their long-term affordability all of the homes in Wedgewoods West will be covenanted in perpetuity.
What is the expected rental rate for the apartments?
It is expected that the 2020 rental rate will be approximately $2.00 per square foot per month. This would equate to roughly $1,300 for a one bedroom unit and $1,590 for the two bedroom unit.
What is the expected sale price for the townhouses?
The 2020 base price for the townhouses is contemplated to be about $315.00 per square foot. For a 1427 square foot unit this would be approximately $449,500.
How will Wedgewoods West remain affordable?
Covenants registered against the title of each home will have a fixed appreciation rate for the future rent or sale prices so as to ensure that costs will remain below market rates.
Who will be developing Wedgewoods West
The development of the project will be directed by the same development team that brought into reality the WedgeWoods subdivision located just across Highway 99.
Who will establish and ensure that this project continues to remain affordable?
Wedgewoods West is a housing strategy under the auspices of the SLRD. While initially the developer, and more long-term the Strata Council will provide day to day management all activities such as qualification for ownership or maintaining affordability will be directed by the SLRD. Wedgewoods West is totally independent from the Whistler Housing Authority (WHA). Though many of the affordability protections are similar to those utilized by the WHA, this development is part of the SLRD regional growth strategy. Consequently, the opportunity to become part of Wedgewoods West is totally separate from the WHA waitlist.
Who will qualify to rent or own at Wedgewoods West?
All successful renters or purchasers must be Canadian Citizens or Landed Immigrants of a legal age currently employed in either the SLRD Area C or D, in the RMOW, or in the Village of Pemberton. Additional qualifications may be applied as a condition of the SLRD zoning approval process.
How will the Wedgewoods West townhomes be offered for sale?
A total of 34 of the townhomes will be offered for sale by way of a lottery program. Participants in the lottery will be required to meet a qualification standard set by the SLRD zoning process and will also be required to have a pre-qualification for financing sufficient to acquire one of the townhomes. Under the lottery, 12 for purchase units will be made available to those who are currently working in Electoral Areas C and D, 11 units will be made available to those who are currently working in the RMOW and a further 11 will be made available to those who are currently working in the Village of Pemberton.
Who will manage the Lottery program?
The lottery process will be carried out under the direction of the SLRD with the assistance of the developer.
What is the timing for the approvals and development of Wedgewoods West?
It is contemplated that the approval process, if successful, will be completed in 2020 with the construction of the project initiated in the spring of 2021. Completion of the homes is expected to be in early 2022.
When would I be able to register and when would the lottery be held?
It is expected that the lottery process would be carried out in early 2021.
Are there additional requirements that I will need in order to qualify to participate in the lottery process?
At the time of formally entering the lottery process all applicants will need to provide proof of employment as well as provide evidence of mortgage qualification to support a purchase.
Is it possible for me to now express an interest in becoming part of this new community?
We would encourage you to be proactive in this matter. While the formal lottery process will not take place until a later date, the Developer will be maintaining a registry of perspective owners. This group will regularly be kept informed of the project status so that well in advance the necessary arrangements can be put in place to ensure timely participation in the upcoming formal lottery application process.
How can I assist in seeing that Wedgewoods West becomes a reality?
If you feel that there is a need in the SLRD for a project such as this we would ask you to become involved by making contact with the various SLRD Board members to ensure they are aware of the community support for Wedgewoods West. Additionally, you may want to provide a brief outline explaining your current circumstances and why a non-market project such as Wedgewoods West will make a difference. During this COVID period many of the usual communication tools between the community and the SLRD are more challenging however your support by forwarding a letter or email to the individual Board members at least one week before the project is reviewed by the SLRD Board would be invaluable. Once the project moves through to the public hearing stage we can also be in contact with you to appraise you as to how best you can continue providing support.