The creation of 26 single-family lots on Heritage Mountain that's considered a neighbourhood blight by some and a model of suburban planning by others was approved by Port Moody council following a public hearing Tuesday.
The development north of Hickory Drive, Fernway Drive and Cranberry Court will be the last neighbourhood to be developed by ParkLane Heritage Woods Development Ltd. on an area known as the Upland Reserve.
While it was opposed by some residents living in the area, including a few who wrote to council and others who showed up at the meeting concerned about traffic, low water pressure and destruction to wildlife habitat, several environmental groups gave their support to the project.
Ruth Foster of the Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society called the development proposal a "model for careful development," citing protections for water quality in West Noons Creek, the use of natural vegetation and a smaller footprint than one originally proposed to council.
The green groups, including the Port Moody Ecological Society, also supported the idea of turning 37 acres of the reserve into park.
"I was just amazed," said James Mattson, a water quality tester with the Noons Creek Hatchery who originally opposed the proposal.
Elaine Golds, a spokesperson for the ecological society, said the park will protect forest and habitat, and preserve trails that are already in use in the community.
But the project was opposed by councillors Karen Rockwell and Meghan Lahti because of concerns that residents' issues weren't resolved. Lahti said she wanted to see issues such as transit and transportation addressed first and Rockwell, agreed, saying, "There's too many issues in the neighbourhood that need to be addressed."
But council approved third reading of the four bylaws necessary to move the project forward.
"[ParkLane] have come back with a plan and it's a solid one," Coun. Diana Dilworth said.
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