A closed-door meeting between Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam councils and city staff this week reportedly had good discussions but concluded without concrete results.
John Leeburn, chief administrative officer for PoCo, which hosted the annual talk Wednesday evening at city hall, told The Tri-City News the elected officials and city managers delved into two topics: community safety and law enforcement, and traffic and transportation.
The neighbouring municipalities share a policing services contract with the RCMP and have linked roads, including on the lower slopes of Burke Mountain, where Coquitlam is planning to accommodate 38,000 residents.
In July, PoCo Mayor Greg Moore wrote a letter to Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart to complain about that city's push to build higher on Burke Mountain, thus putting more pressure on PoCo's infrastructure to the south.
PoCo also opposed two Coquitlam rezoning bids for residential lots on Victoria Drive, across from the PoCo border, citing traffic volumes in the area (the two applications are expected to go before Coquitlam council Monday).
Leeburn declined to comment on whether the police contract or Fremont Connector — a major route to be built from Burke to Lougheed Highway — were raised, saying only: "There was good discussion. The councils need to talk about these things together and, obviously, at the staff level, we will keep talking about them. There was nothing resolved. It was a good sharing of perspectives."
Leeburn also said it's unclear when the two city councils will meet again.
A request for comment from the city of Coquitlam was not returned.
Before PoCo sent its letter in July, Moore voiced his frustrations about planning a livable community while Burke was booming with new homes.
"It's time for us to take a forceful stand," Coun. Brad West said. "It's not about being difficult. This is about being honest about what we're seeing in our community."
Coquitlam contends PoCo has benefitted economically from Burke's growth, with extra shoppers patronizing big-box stores in the Dominion Triangle.
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
