Port Moody issued the development permit for its new fire hall but not without some griping over its environmental implications.
Coun. Rick Glumac, who has pushed for the fire hall to be certified with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold standard and to be built with a green roof, again voiced concern over the hall's proximity to nearby sensitive environmental areas.
"Because of the infringement on the wetlands, I have reservations about this layout," he said. "I can't support it at this time but I still think it's a great design."
Coun. Diana Dilworth, who has "from the beginning said we have one chance to build it right," said she believes the city is not doing the right thing.
"I think it's a good design but it's the wrong location," she said. "For us to get away with things that we wouldn't let a developer get away with is a shame."
But Coun. Gerry Nuttall said it was simply time to move on and build the hall. He emphasized that the project manager is a certified LEED designer and "if we can't trust him, we're in big trouble."
Mayor Mike Clay agreed the fire hall design is a good one but its layout on the site brings environmental drawbacks.
"I'm supporting this somewhat reluctantly," he said, thanking staff for "making the best of a bad situation."
Both Dilworth and Glumac voted against issuing the development permit; Coun. Rosemary Small was absent.
