Pemberton council this week deferred a decision on a new Temporary Commercial Use Permit (TCUP) application from Mainroad Contracting after a representative for accommodation providers in the Pemberton area questioned the timing of the permit and called for the applicant to support local businesses.

According to a staff report contained in Tuesday’s (Oct. 6) council package, Mainroad has the contract for Highway 99 maintenance for the 2010 Olympics, and is seeking to locate about 16 to 18 of its employees in a proposed temporary project on the lands west of the Visitor Information Centre.

The project would consist of up to 10 typical RV trailers situated on land owned by Lil’wat Properties, whose representatives have given permission. The applicants are offering to put in a permanent set of emerald cedar trees to buffer the trailers, the report said.

“The company was unable to secure affordable accommodation elsewhere in the community,” the report added. The proposed time span for the TCUP was Oct. 6, 2009, to April 30, 2010.

Caroline Lamont, the Village’s manager of development services, told council that Mainroad representatives indicated the need arises because staffing levels need to be stepped up, mainly during the Games and some leading up to the event.

David MacKenzie, general manager of the Pemberton Valley Lodge, said he was speaking to council on behalf of other local accommodation providers to raise concerns about the timing of the TCUP. Many have “tons of accommodation” available outside the 28-day Olympic period and that many are seeking this sort of support.

“We all hope to be here after the Olympics packs up and goes away… We’re hoping you can help protect our businesses,” MacKenzie said.

Though he said the businesses understand the infrastructure for the project might need to be installed before the winter, he asked council to be cautious with these sorts of projects.

Councillors Lisa Ames and Ted Craddock said they, too, had heard concerns from the community, and Craddock suggested limiting the occupancy in the TCUP so it won’t begin until mid-January, but the required infrastructure work could still be done in advance.

“Clearly, Mainroad needs to have staff in place to maintain the roads,” Councillor Susie Gimse said, asking MacKenzie whether the group he represents could meet with the applicants to discuss options.

The council members voted to defer the application to their Oct. 20 meeting, giving the proponents time to pursue other options.