Developers and their architects will soon have to sharpen their pencils if their projects are to pass muster in Port Moody.
At its meeting June 2, city council directed staff to begin drafting new terms of reference for an advisory design panel (ADP) that will be resurrected as part of an overhaul of the community planning advisory committee(CPAC).
The ADP, which was comprised of architects, an engineer and representatives with various areas of expertise like construction, arts and culture and mobility challenges, was disbanded as part of a previous change to the structure of CPAC. That change eliminated councillors in favour of more representation from community volunteers as well as absorbed the experts who would be able to provide feedback and guidance on development proposals before they are formally presented to council.
But in a report prepared by Couns. Meghan Lahti and Steve Milani, they said the new structure that was supposed to streamline the early review process for development proposals has resulted “in an extremely large and cumbersome committee that struggles to be operational.”
They said by reinstating the ADP to comment on the quality of design for development projects, members of CPAC will be able to focus on issues of land use, like how a proposed project fits in to the official community plan, its density and its context.
Coun. Hunter Madsen said bringing back the ADP will give heft to the city demanding more from developers than just cookie-cutter towers.
“I see the advisory design panel’s revival as a decisive opportunity to raise the city’s bar for building a cityscape that is truly stunning,” he said.
But Coun. Diana Dilworth warned beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
“I think we really have to be sensitive to people’s perceptions of art and what is exciting and what is beautiful.”
Coun. Zoe Royer cautioned buildings can’t just be considered in isolation and their design must be evaluated in context of the neighbourhood and nearby structures.
“It may be the most innovative design, but it may not fit into the neighbourhood,” she said.
Madsen, who told The Tri-City News he plans to introduce a more a more substantive report on his ideas to encourage “architectural distinction” in the city at a future council meeting, noted that because Port Moody is a “city of the arts,” the principle art of its buildings should be held to a higher standard.
“If we really can’t step up to the terrifying prospect of architectural distinction in its buildings, then I really despair for the city of the arts.”
City manager Tim Savoie said staff should have the new terms of reference for the two committees, including the additional consideration by CPAC of job creation targets for proposed projects, ready by mid-July.
