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'Urgent' Port Moody plan that was deferred is now defeated

An “urgent” call by Port Moody’s acting mayor to concentrate on job creation rather than residential development in Moody Centre that was put on hold last week, was briefly resurrected during Tuesday’s council meeting only to be defeated by a majorit
Hunter Madsen and Zoe Royer
Hunter Madsen and Zoe Royer

An “urgent” call by Port Moody’s acting mayor to concentrate on job creation rather than residential development in Moody Centre that was put on hold last week, was briefly resurrected during Tuesday’s council meeting only to be defeated by a majority vote.

Coun. Zoe Royer, who last week had proposed the successful motion to defer Coun. Hunter Madsen’s 20-page report that called for a high-tech hub around the Moody Centre SkyTrain station to create jobs, said community concerns about transparency motivated her motion to reconsider the deferral.

Madsen’s report had caught several councillors off guard — along with city staff, developers, property owners and representatives from TransLink who’ve been working together for more than 18 months to come up with their own plan for the area.

Royer said when it became clear to her that that consortium wouldn’t have its own report ready in time for a workshop involving councillors and city planners scheduled for Aug. 6, “I think we have to shine a light on this,” as it appeared to some members in the community that meetings were being held and decisions made “in secret.”

She added, “We just need to give this exposure.”

But Madsen accused Royer of making a “shrewd manoeuvre” to take advantage of the absence from Tuesday’s meeting of Coun. Amy Lubik, who had voted on July 16 to support his report. He said it was important for council to “resolve this double vision for Moody Centre” by putting forth his own plan.

That was met with a sharp rebuke, as well as a defence of city staff, from Coun. Meghan Lahti, who said, “These are the types of things that well-paid professionals need to figure out.”

Madsen retorted: “This council is doing what it is empowered with doing.”

Royer, who along with Lahti and Coun. Diana Dilworth, voted to reconsider the deferral, then voted against Madsen’s original motion, said council can continue discussions around employment opportunities in Moody Centre at the same time the consortium of land owners works on its plan.

“Things can happen concurrently,” she said.

Madsen and Coun. Steve Milani voted to support Madsen's plan.