The Editor:
Judging by a recent letter to TCN, the pro-development side of our community is in full pre-election mode, declaring that Port Moody’s flat growth numbers over the last five-year census mean the city has failed to approve enough new development to meet the region's and our community’s needs.
The process of moving a development from concept to construction and eventual occupation takes years, so the census figures on population don’t reflect reality in terms of units approved or under consideration by this and the previous council.
Contrary to the assertion that development is not occurring, no visitor to Port Moody could miss noticing the many projects underway, with many additional proposals under active consideration. In actuality, the pace of growth seems to exceed the OCP projection that would see Port Moody growing from 35,000 to 50,000 residents by 2041.
According to the city’s website, Port Moody has so many new construction proposals pending in the pipeline that, if approved, these would result in a full doubling of the city's current population to 70,000 within the next few decades.
That much growth focused primarily on hi-rise towers in Coronation Park, the downtown area and the Flavelle site would mainly produce expensive market housing, but not the social and affordable housing most needed for average, working families.
The facts suggest that simply adding density does not improve affordability. According to UBC economist Patrick Condon, the stampede to profit from this housing bubble is having the unintended effect of worsening the two chief causes of unaffordability - soaring land prices and runaway cost of construction.
Like many, I support moderate, thoughtful and planned growth for our city, but worry about a narrative that supports building for its own sake without adequately providing for the essential lower half of the housing continuum, creating homes for workers whose services our communities rely upon.
The develop-at-any-cost lobby also chooses not to recognize the high cost to the overall community of expanding city services and facilities as we densify: recreation, transportation, fire and police, and parks would all need to grow too, and many of these are already under stress.
Simply pitching more development is not the solution. In the upcoming municipal election, both sides can rise above petty politicking so that we can focus together on climate change, affordable housing, local employment and transportation, for it is these issues that will shape our community for decades to come.
A respectful, collaborative council interested in working with an informed and engaged community can only result in a better future for Port Moody.
- David Stuart, Port Moody
