Squamish Nation has big plans for land near Lions Gate, Ironworkers bridges

Squamish Nation is one of several Metro Vancouver First Nations with plans to turn wide tracts of land into real estate meccas.

The Nation recently unveiled preliminary maps for the sites, including at least 600 affordable homes.

Advocates say that First Nations using reserve lands can, compared to conventional developers, build housing more quickly as they are not slowed by municipal laws restricting density laws.

Squamish leaders have released early plans for three large properties in North Vancouver .

The need to improve transportation between the North Shore and the rest of the Lower Mainland became a political football in the provincial election.

The revenue from these projects will be used to fund the Nation’s “generational plan” for now and 2050 .

North Vancouver District ’s housing needs report says it requires more than 5,000 new homes in the next few years .

West Vancouver is short about 1,000 units, according to the report.

Squamish councillor: No new homes should be constructed by any group before governments fix North Shore's transportation woes.