Port Moody is bracing for change — and plenty of it — and what's left of city land should be eyed through the lens of critical decisions made nearly 20 years ago, says one council member.
At Tuesday's meeting, Coun. Meghan Lahti issued a notice of motion stating city property should be designated for "highest and best use," defined as a reasonable use that would result in the highest value for taxpayers.
Lahti said it's not the first time such a motion has been discussed but she wanted it to be front and centre in the years ahead.
"We are in a very pivotal time in our history, not unlike in the late ’90s when we made decisions that shaped our community around the creation of Bert Flinn Park," she said.
The decisions this council makes on city properties will position Port Moody for financial sustainability — or struggle — for decades to come, she said, particularly with several significant infrastructure projects on the horizon.
The city hall complex is in need of critical repairs that are likely to cost upwards of $4 million, with additional costs to fix the older part of the recreation complex.
Kyle Centre has also reached the end of its lifespan, Lahti said, the library has been requesting a renovation and expansion for several years, and council's strategic priority is to rebuild the Inlet Centre field.
"We have very few options to raise money aside from taxation, and myself as a taxpayer in this city, I'd like council to look at… every opportunity to maximize its financial position" through the sale, development or lease of appropriate city lands, Lahti said. "To move forward and meet these challenging capital demands in the coming year, we need to have everything on the table."
Two properties in particular — the old fire hall at the corner of Ioco Road and Murray Street, and the nearby public works yard — are prime opportunities but suggestions about development on those sites have been met with resistance in the past.
Lahti said the process of concentrating density in Inlet Centre to free up space for Bert Flinn Park up on the mountain was also controversial at the time but resulted in neighbourhoods that are widely acclaimed for their livability.
"We have to stay true to the vision that was there and the sacrifices that were made in terms of… creating that environmentally sensitive area and saving it for the future of our community," Lahti said. "Those two properties [the fire hall and works yard] are strategically placed in the city and they're very valuable, and we can't overlook that when we're looking at the bigger picture."
Balancing environmental concerns and the need for green space with the city's broader financial picture could come from establishing policies requiring developers to incorporate green roofs, community gardens or other sustainability practices, Lahti added, to ensure a livable community for all residents.
"We don't want to tax people out of their homes. This is just one other way to make sure all the needs of all the community are met."
spayne@tricitynews.com
@spayneTC
