The Editor,
Re. “Big plans for longtime waterfront mill site” (The Tri-City News, Jan. 20).
I submitted the following email to the Port Moody Community Planning Advisory Committee. I think it is important and should be of general interest.
To Community Planning Advisory Committee,
I was pleased to see that the earthquake hazard at the Flavelle site has been addressed by geotechnical studies.
Although the liquefaction possibility in the case of earthquake has been identified, the conclusion has been that piling support, etc. will allow construction of residential buildings. But the fill required to meet flood construction level certainly must increase earthquake hazard too.
Therefore, I suggest the following with respect to the Flavelle site plan:
• Because the landfill depth likely increases shoreward, as would underlying mud thickness, I think it would be prudent to designate a broad shoreline strip for park use. This would enhance Rocky Point Park and improve the living environment for those in the proposed Flavelle development and others in the area. (The marked increase in numbers of people who will be living in new Port Moody developments will stress the existing Rocky Point and Shoreline parks.
• Ensure, before any approvals, that independent geotechnical studies are performed so possible bias from those contracted directly by Flavelle can be assessed.
• Alternatively, have an independent evaluation done of the geotechnical studies done on the Flavelle site to ensure they are sufficient and accurate, and that they make appropriate recommendations. (A geotechnical consultant might be selected by your committee but paid for by Flavelle).
• And should the danger of earthquakes not be resolved, the entire Flavelle site, when abandoned from industrial use, should be converted to park extension. (It could be purchased by the city of Port Moody for the land value based on an industrial evaluation, rather than a residential one.)
Earthquake damage in areas of landfill is known to be extreme compared to destruction in non-fill areas. This was illustrated in a recent San Francisco earthquake. Knowing this, approval of the Flavelle site for residential construction, without sound geotechnical input, is a major and serious legal responsibility.
Colin Godwin, Coquitlam
(Professor Emeritus, Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, UBC)
