The Editor,
Re. “Land proposal goes back to PM council with CPAC approval” (The Tri-City News, Feb. 9).
I attended the recent committee meeting at Port Moody city hall. Many pleas were made to preserve the former fire hall and current works yard sites for a higher purpose — and I don’t mean a taller purpose.
The site of this land is special: It’s central. It breaks up the commercial landscape between Newport Village and Suter Brook Village with a treed area. It potentially expands the footprint of the civic and recreational facilities.
Supporters of this project may think a win-win can be found, with a developer paying for public amenities on site. If that is the case, let’s be clear about our must-haves at the outset. A park on site? Family-sized and affordable units? A waterslide? How about strictly a car-free building, considering the adjacent intersection?
The bigger problem is that residential towers are not the best use of this land. This location is ideal for building something to define Inlet Centre as a neighbourhood and to showcase local heritage. I could see moving the cramped Port Moody Station Museum to this spot, using the museum’s iconic pieces to define the space. It could have a large outdoor space, stroll-up cafe and recreation opportunities, such as outdoor pickleball courts, a sheltered playground and a plaza space (please, somewhere to take our kids in the rain). In the longer term, the area could be built up with larger civic buildings, like a school or library, as the population grows.
And where would the funds come from for a city-led development? How about selling or leasing the land where the museum currently sits? Hint: It’s on Brewery Row. Not an option? Well, I wouldn’t complain about higher property taxes for this or another exciting vision to break ground. And judging by turnout at the meeting, I don’t think I’m the only one.
Let’s be creative, let’s support more of what makes Port Moody one of the Lower Mainland’s most family-friendly communities.
Megan Traverse, Port Moody
••••••••••
‘BE SENSIBLE’
The Editor,
I’m writing to voice concerns about the community planning advisory committee meeting held in Port Moody on Feb. 6.
Having lived in the Tri-Cities my whole life, the last 10 years in Port Moody, I love the urban living with a small-town community feel. I love the highrises and the communities they create within our city. Never before have I felt such a wonderful community feel as I do in Suter Brook.
But let’s be sensible in the decisions we make. Changing the old fire hall and current works yard zoning, in my opinion, is short-term gain for long-term pain. The little green spaces that developers create are lovely but nowhere near enough for the community’s needs now, let alone when all the density increased from planned or proposed Coronation Park development, Electronic Ave development and Moray Street development, etc.
Rocky Point Park is lovely but not big enough as is. Imagine the old fire hall and works yard properties being preserved by this city council — and it was quite apparent at this meeting and many before that this is the wish of the majority of people — within the same land use as is currently in the OCP. What a wonderful space this would be for future generations.
Finally, the city proposing to the committee to change the OCP seems unethical to me. If the city wants an OCP change that could potentially result in the sale of city property — especially in an election year — residents should have their say in the form of a binding referendum held in conjunction with the council election in October.
There’s no hurry. Let’s do this the right way and make sure the majority of Port Moody residents agree before such a big decision is made.
Kelly Hobbis, Port Moody
