The Editor,
Re: "Letter: PoMo 'metrotownification' complete BS at crucial moment" (Letters, www.tricitynews.com).
John Grasty's letter ignores a few relevant facts.
First, Coquitlam is much larger than Port Moody and has more flatland. Coquitlam's area is 152.5 square kilometres while Port Moody's is 25.89 sq. km.
Second, looking merely at building permits issued is disingenuous. The potential according to PoMo's OCP is huge if all possible projects are built out.
Larger potential projects don't happen quickly. Current Acting Mayor Meghan Lahti stated in a memo for a council meeting June 27, 2017:
"The city of Port Moody has been experiencing an extraordinary surge of development applications, so much so that, if council were to approve all of the applications that have been submitted to date, we would double the projected population increase established in our official community plan and our Regional Context Statements related to growth. This estimate does not include the potential growth being considered in the two Special Study Areas located in Moody Centre on the Flavelle and Andrés Wine sites. In addition to applications that are in line with the OCP, there are a number of applications for OCP amendments that propose increased density in areas that do not meet the city’s long-term strategic vision regarding concentration of growth.”
Finally, and importantly, the writer laments the "lost opportunity" for "much needed revenue" but fails to include the fact that current city development charges are at rates from more than 30 years ago, and the reality is new development has not been paying its way, and is being subsidized by general taxation. Check out the presentation to council from Jan. 8, 2019 for a graphic summary.
H. Mason, Port Moody
