Although many would like to see the Bert Flinn Park route for the David Avenue extension immediately struck from Port Moody's long-range planning maps, there is something known as due process when it comes to planning roads that stretch across more than one jurisdiction.
Anmore will be affected by any future route to accommodate development in northwestern Port Moody, so it makes sense to start a collaborative process now with village politicians and staff before things get too far along.
Yet despite this early olive branch, Port Moody has little to discuss because it's not known exactly what the traffic demand will be. Plans for the Ioco lands purchased by BCG Developments have yet to be fully sketched out — much less approved by local authorities — and thus the city and the village are hamstrung in discussing in any great detail the options put forward in PoMo's recent Alternate Route Option report.
Indeed, Anmore could decide it wants nothing to do with a new road until the Ioco lands project is further along, and will have its own road choices, no doubt.
Still, if the two jurisdictions agree and are willing to collaborate, then there is an opportunity to discuss a variety of options, some of which were outlined in the city's report and others raised by PoMo councillors at their meeting last week.
Some people on social media are skeptical that this is a truly meaningful process and believe the options under consideration will simply be found to be impossible and the original route through Bert Flinn Park will be kept.
On the other hand, it seems ridiculous to spend $50,000 on consultants to examine David Avenue extension options when it's not known exactly what BCG Development's plans are or what the impact will be on local road systems.
And finally, another issue that is worth considering — especially for those who are skeptical — is the need for a referendum if a different route through Bert Flinn Park is chosen because the park was designated by referendum and would need to be amended by referendum.
All these considerations suggest that it will be some time before work begins, and those wishing for immediate satisfaction will simply have to be patient.
