The Editor,
Re. “East-west road needed in PoMo” (Letters, The Tri-City News, Aug. 10).
I found the letter from Peter Bevan-Stewart to be an interesting read and in need of rebuttal.
The David Avenue connector was indeed identified in 1984 as part of Port Moody’s official community plan.
That was 32 years ago.
Port Moody and area have changed considerably since then, and so has the OCP. In fact, it has changed twice in the five years I’ve lived here. Thus, the OCP is fluid for adjustment.
Mr. Bevan-Stewart states, “The Advisory Planning Commission of Electoral Area B, working with the GVRD planning department, created an extensive advanced street plan covering the area north and west of Port Moody in the mid 1970s.”
What the writer fails to acknowledge is that the right-of-way through Bert Flinn Park (the proposed David Avenue extension) was changed from a “General Urban” designation to a “Conservation and Recreation” designation in the Greater Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy Amendment Bylaw No. 1223, 2015.
It reads in the strategy: “The Conservation and Recreation land use designation is intended to help protect the important environmental and recreation areas throughout the region. Strategies and actions recognize the importance of providing connectivity throughout the region linking important natural features, and emphasize the collaborative effort needed to protect and enhance natural assets.”
Which Metro Vancouver growth strategy does Mr. Bevan-Stewart think has more validity? One from the 1970s, when Bert Flinn Park didn’t exist, or one from a little over a year ago?
The writer mentions that the residents of Ioco Road and Barber Street area are affected because of the popularity of White Pine Beach, Buntzen Lake and Belcarra Regional Park. Is he suggesting we destroy a natural haven because a few people are inconvenienced on weekends, three months of the year? As a frequent user of all the mentioned parks, I can assure you there is little traffic nine months of the year.
Perhaps Mr. Bevan-Stewart would like to take the time to visit savebertflinnpark.com and research the five alternative actions that could be taken to alleviate any traffic pressure that may (or may not) exist, without destroying a treasure of natural beauty.
Rob Collins, Port Moody
