To get new speed bumps — or any other type of infrastructure upgrade — in front of your street, Tri-City residents traditionally have to apply to their municipality and pay 90% of the costs.
Now, the city of Port Coquitlam wants to overhaul that policy, saying it reeks of discrimination for homeowners not able to foot the bill.
This week, city council voted to go back to the drawing board on the Local Improvement Process (LIP) after reviewing a bid from homeowners from one street on the city's south side.
Property owners on Nova Scotia Avenue, off Pitt River Road, have long complained about pedestrian safety and speeding concerns. And recently, they submitted a unanimous petition to city hall calling for permanent speed humps.
It's hasn't been the only request for traffic calming.
Throughout the year, city councillors and staff field calls from residents around town wanting to slow traffic on their street, too, Mayor Greg Moore said.
But the problem is once the bumps go in, they're in, he warned. And, in the case of Coquitlam — more than a decade ago — if they're unpopular then it costs taxpayers thousands of dollars to rip them out.
According to a staff report, not one LIP has advanced in PoCo because of the 90-10 split due to the hefty costs as well as the difficult petitioning process. Then, the project must go through further study and approval by city council.
"We know from past examples that the financial contribution required from residents often stops these projects from moving forward," wrote Kristen Meersman, director of engineering and public works, in a report last month.
At Monday's meeting, Coun. Brad West, chair of the city's smart growth committee, said PoCo needs to have a simpler process that's fair to all residents — regardless of their socio-economic status.
It's a two-tiered system that creates an unlevel playing field, Moore added.
In the meantime, council voted to install temporary speed humps on Nova Scotia to test out if residents like them. The cost per hump is estimated at $7,000, part of which will be paid for by ICBC, Meersman said.
In other PoCo council news:
Port Coquitlam Coun. Darrell Penner remains firm in his opposition to the city's proposed changes for liquor retailers and manufacturers.
On Monday, Penner was the only councillor to reject the first two readings of the zoning amendment bylaw, saying it was hypocritical for council to put pubs and bars through stricter regulations.
"I have no issue with microbreweries but I think that the rules have to apply just the same as pubs in the community," he said.
Coun. Glenn Pollock said the number of seats in new microbrew lounges will be capped at 25 and, therefore, aren't directly competing with established drinking holes. (By comparison, along Port Moody's Brewers Row, indoor seats vary from 30 to 111).
PoCo's proposed liquor policy is set to go to public hearing on Oct. 11.
Councillors Laura Dupont and Dean Washington were not at Monday's meeting.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
