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City vetoes development, citing lack of infrastructure

Coquitlam NOW


Friday, December 11, 2009


Port Moody council stuck by its no-new-development-without-the-Evergreen-Line edict, defeating a proposed Henry Street development at Tuesday's meeting.

"I made a commitment to the residents of Port Moody that I will not be supporting new developments," said Mayor Joe Trasolini. "And this is a new development."

The proposal would have seen an 11-storey, 149-unit building constructed in the 3000 block of Henry Street, in the empty lot next to the Terravista condos. The proponent promised a condo terraced into the hillside, using only 25 per cent of the property for the building and leaving the remaining 0.6 hectares (1.5 acres) for park. It was to include a communal car system, terraced green space with rainwater being collected and used for irrigation, and ample bike storage.

Although council members saw merit in the design and sustainability of the development, Trasolini said, they could not go ahead with the proposal due to traffic and density concerns. He added that these are problems that would be alleviated by the Evergreen Line and Murray-Clarke Connector.

"Further growth in Port Moody, with the lack of infrastructure, is not sustainable."

Meanwhile, residents who spoke out at the public hearing were torn over the development plan, with those from Terravista opposed and many echoing council's concerns about density and traffic.

However, Wendy Swalwell, president of the Moody Centre Community Association, said her group supports the project.

"I think it's very forward thinking. We've talked about a blanket issue of no more development because of infrastructure, but you know we need some help ... We would like to see something of this calibre built [now], rather than later on when you need to meet your density requirements and think, 'OK, let's slap a highrise somewhere.'"

Timothy Ankenman, the proposal's architect, said after the meeting that he was disappointed with council's decision. After two and a half years of working on the project, he's not sure his client will want to bring the proposal forward again once the city begins allowing development, which may be a long way off.

"Till infrastructure is addressed I cannot justify any more development in our city," said Coun. Bob Elliott. "We have no infrastructure, we've been promised over and over again ... we might as well forget about it. It won't happen in my lifetime and it won't happen in my kids' lifetime, as far as I'm concerned."

Trasolini, Elliott and Coun. Karen Rockwell voted against the development, while Couns. Mike Clay, Gerry Nuttall and Diana Dilworth voted in favour. Motions are defeated on a tie, however, which happened because Coun. Meghan Lahti was absent.

© Coquitlam Now 2009