The future of several key city properties in Port Moody will go to the public drawing board in a series of community fairs scheduled for June and the fall.
The public works yard, the Kyle Centre site, and the sites of the former Fire Hall No. 1 and Barnet Highway landfill will be the subject of extensive public consultation to gauge residents' opinions on how the properties can be leveraged to raise funds for a new library, Inlet Field redevelopment, a new Kyle Centre and more.
"We're trying to go out early with a range of ideas," said Mayor Mike Clay to have a "frank conversation" with residents about the city's assets and its project wish list. "In my experience, it's unusual going out [to the public] this early in the process. There is nothing on the table and this is really to get input on what people envision on those sites."
It made sense to put all the sites up for consultation given the trickle-down effect of making changes on just one, Clay told The Tri-City News Wednesday. For instance, moving the works yard to the former landfill site would open up the potential for more of a "big concept" project if the works yard site were combined with the old fire hall land.
Kyle Centre is well past its life span and needs to meet the needs of the seniors who have made it their home and the young families that are moving in to the area, Clay added.
The consultation plan puts into motion several aspects of council's strategic plan, adopted last May, which identified several major redevelopment initiatives: relocating the works yard to the decommissioned landfill site; redeveloping the former fire hall, works yard and Kyle Centre sites; upgrading Inlet Field; and improving the Kyle Centre facilities.
Those who attend the community fairs can expect to see displays of different building forms, site features, environmental impacts and community amenities, according to a staff report. Ideas and suggestions will come with an approximate dollar figure so that participants can gauge the potential costs.
And while some council members suggested the community fairs should start with an entirely blank slate, others noted there isn't enough detail, particularly around the "highest and best use" policy.
Whether or not council members should attend the community fairs was also hotly debated.
Coun. Meghan Lahti's amendment stipulating council members not attend, which was eventually carried, drew criticism from councillors Rick Glumac, Rob Vagramov and Zoe Royer, who said it's important to hear residents' views first-hand.
Coun. Barbara Junker countered that their presence could unduly influence the public and prevent some people from speaking out, adding she was "surprised by some of council's reaction… because this is something we've already talked about."
Clay added that any comments made by council members at the meetings could be perceived as a predetermined outcome, and that there will be many more steps in the process — as well as opportunities for council involvement — in the future.
The first consultation, for Inlet Centre and the works yard, is on June 11 at the former fire hall site from 1 to 5 p.m. The Kyle Centre discussion is on June 25 from 1 to 5 p.m. at that location, while the Barnet landfill community fair will be scheduled for the fall.
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