Moody Centre Community Association wind-up

Moody Centre Community Association wind-up

It is with mixed feelings we are informing residents and others that the Moody Centre Community Association (MCCA) is ceasing official operations as a not-for-profit provincially-registered society.

We’ve had a good run for more than 40 years, operating on a shoe-string budget. MCCA has had some wonderful volunteers over the years and we thank each and every one. We also thank others such as the city and local businesses who have helped along the way.

Moody Centre is undergoing major changes, including types of housing and population growth, and it’s much harder to connect in the ways we have in the past (think hand delivery of flyers, better local media coverage, more availability of places to get together, including Kyle Centre). The not-yet-over two-year pandemic has not helped the situation. Moody Centre is a large area and, according to Census Canada, has grown in population by 11 percent over the last five years, despite the fact the city as a whole did not grow. The growth of 11% does not take into account projects under construction or not yet built.

We have tried to keep people informed through emails, website, and Facebook, and we know most of you have really appreciated it.

Though our website will not be updated, it will remain available as a source of information covering close to nine years in time (2013 to present). We expect occasional updates will continue on the MCCA Facebook page.

In closing, we encourage everyone to do their best to stay engaged in Port Moody. There is a lot going on. The city website is a good place to start (portmoody.ca), and of course local media including the Tri-City News and online-only Tri-Cities Dispatch.

Thank you.

***********************************

Welcome to the Moody Centre Community Association (MCCA) website

Adopt-a-street: MCCA adopted the street area of Queens Street Plaza early in 2015, and teams meet periodically to clean the area with equipment provided by the city. If you can spare an occasional hour or so to help, please email us at mcca.pm@gmail.com, and we’ll add you to our list. This would not commit you to a set schedule, but more people willing to pitch in once in awhile will help us to keep the area clean. It’s not just cleaning — it’s interaction and community building!

MCCA Membership:  We welcome new (and lapsed) members at any time.  Must be 19+ and reside in the Moody Centre catchment area (see map).  Annual fee is $5/year. Payment can be made at any event, or by contacting MCCA to arrange (mcca.pm@gmail.com).

MCCA Facebook

PLEASE NOTE: New, revamped Port Moody city website went live June 5, 2019.

It’s likely that ALL links provided on this MCCA site to city material were broken with the launch. We’ll endeavour to update links but it may take a bit of time and some may get missed.

Upcoming:

—Tuesday, April 12, 2022, 7:00 pm: Council meeting. See below for link to agendas.

Public consultations: Visit the city’s ENGAGE hub to participate in public consultation; e.g., Official Community Plan review, Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs), city budget, art in public spaces …

Note: Covid protocols are in place at city hall. For more info, click here.

Please note: Moody Centre Community Association (MCCA) Annual General Meeting date to be determined.

For city updates on the coronavirus (COVID-19), closures, etc., visit city webpage here.

***********************************
—See the city calendar link from city home web-page for more events, and the Tri-City News. Local media newcomer, 2021, Tri-Cities Dispatch.

—Various dates and events:  Port Moody Station Museum/Heritage Society.
—Various dates and events: PoMo Arts Centre.

***********************************
Handy links:
—Council webpage with livestream video link
—Interactive development applications map (city), NEW 2020-21
—Significant Development Applications (city), NEW 2021
—Engage Port Moody (new public engagement hub, October 26, 2020)
—Official Community Plan (OCP), adopted 2014/2015 (lawsuit delay)
—Former OCP, adopted January 2011
—Council’s Strategic Plan 2019-2022
—Council’s Strategic Plan 2015-2018
—Local Government Act
—Community Charter
—Bylaws
—Zoning map and related links
—Zoning Bylaw
—Moody Centre TOD, property owners consortium website (NEW, November 2019)
—News portal, GVRD (Metro Vancouver)

2022-03-26: Flavelle (Oceanfront) blocking release of geotechnical reports

2022-03-26: Flavelle (Oceanfront) blocking release of geotechnical reports

The Flavelle Oceanfront Development (FOD) website has come back to life with a new look after a lengthy disappearance. The public hearing for this project was held on July 25, 2017, and council advised that geotechnical reports would be required.

One of the concerns raised about development of this site has been about safety, as this site was once a water lot and has now been built up with fill. It is shown on GeoMap Vancouver as at high risk for soil liquefaction, and Port Moody’s Hazardous Lands map confirms this. It is very low-lying land just west of Rocky Point Park.

The Moody Centre Community Association has recently received concerning information from a Port Moody resident, that the parties behind the Flavelle Oceanfront Development (FOD) proposal are blocking the release of the three geotechnical reports mentioned on the revamped FOD website. (To-date, it has been six months since the first request for the reports.)

Why?

From Flavelle Oceanfront Development website, link above

“The third party believes that the disclosure may be harmful to business interests of the third party and should be withheld under section 21 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).” (Quote from Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) letter dated January 17, 2022)

In October 2021, the resident submitted an FOI (freedom of information) request to the City of Port Moody to receive access to the three reports identified in the FOD proposal.

Excerpt of reply from Port Moody FOI staff dated October 18, 2021:

Excerpt of reply from Port Moody FOI staff dated December 9, 2021:

Partial timeline

• July 25, 2017: Flavelle Oceanfront proposal goes to public hearing (Council Chambers). Council gives the go-ahead with a proviso that geotechnical reports must be submitted (which were not included with public hearing materials).
• October 18, 2021: FOI request made to City of Port Moody.
• December 9, 2021: City advises its decision to release documents, but under appeal by “third parties” so matter is referred to the provincial Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC).
• December 23, 2021: Decision to be made by May 5, 2022 (OIPC).
• January 17, 2022: Extension for decision to September 14, 2022 (OIPC).

Summary

• It’s almost five years since the Flavelle Oceanfront Development proposal was approved by a majority of council following a public hearing.
• After the decision, BC Assessment estimated the property value to be much higher based on potential use.
• The property owners asked for, and received, tax relief under the newly created Bill 42 (provincial) to keep the tax down as the site was an operating sawmill.
• The sawmill operation ceased at the end of October 2020. The site is currently being used for film production, a base for Disney’s Shogun.
• Nothing new has been presented to the city (unless it has not been made public) regarding the FOD development.
• The FOD website was resurrected sometime near the end of summer 2021.
• The geotechnical reports have not yet been made available, six months after a resident requested the information, citing “the disclosure may be harmful to business interests.”

Note: The site is most commonly referred to as Flavelle. It is also known as Mill & Timber and Aspen Planers (AP).

If the geotechnical reports confirm, as stated on the FOD website, that the site is appropriate for a large-scale development with towers up to 38 storeys, why are the reports not being released?

***********************************

2022-04-05: Coronation Park public hearing, mini-city public hearing

2022-04-05:  Coronation Park public hearing, mini-city public hearing

Update: The public hearing is now postponed until April 26, 2022, due to a notification error.

• Statement by City of Port Moody: Statement re. cancelled public hearing (OCP amendment bylaw for Coronation Park)
• Tri-City News: UPDATED: Port Moody suddenly cancels Coronation Park public hearing, citing notification ‘error’
• Tri-City News: Letter: Port Moody staff must do a better job after public hearing is cancelled

***********************************

Coronation Park, Area A development proposal by Wesgroup

Have your say: public hearing, Tuesday, April 5, 2022, 7:00 pm, virtual meeting.

Subject: Wesgroup’s proposal for “Area A” of the Coronation Park neighbourhood.

The proposal represents a major change to the area. The Moody Centre Community Association (MCCA) has posted several times on this subject, and readers can type “Coronation Park” into the search bar for more information.

The plans have changed over time, but represent a much more significant change than anything ever contemplated in the current Official Community Plan (OCP). The area plan underwent a major OCP amendment in 2017, and this proposal presents more major amendments. It has been difficult to keep up on changes, and the materials for the public hearing remain hard to follow, with possible further discussions still to come, such as potentially trying to add in some form of “affordable” housing later — which is not standard practice.

Agenda materials, including directions on how to participate live can be found here.
You can submit written comment (please do so no later than 12:00 noon on April 5) by emailing clerks@portmoody.ca, and you can also include council@portmoody.ca

Recent media:

• CKNW (Global), April 3, 2022: Radio, Weekend mornings with Raji Sohal, link here. At 8:40 am mark (CH. 2).
• TCN, March 31, 2022: Letter: Massive Port Moody proposal is not ‘affordable’ housing
• TCN, March 29, 2022: Massive redevelopment of Port Moody neighbourhood goes to public hearing on Tuesday

The Moody Centre Community Association (MCCA) welcomes your comments.

***********************************

2022-03-08: Public hearing, James Road, 88 units on two lots

2022-03-08: Public hearing, James Road, 88 units on two lots

Update: Tri-City News, March 9, 2022: Port Moody council approves 88-unit condo building — but will it become the leading edge for similar six-storey structures in the neighbourhood?; and
Tri-Cities Dispatch, March 9, 2022: Port Moody Green-Lights James Road Project

March 8, 2022, electronic meeting, 7:00 pm.

From OCP Map 11

The proposal is very different now than first envisioned.

From publicly available information, including the first CPAC meeting October 1, 2019, the evolution of the proposed development is as follows.

• August 2017: 154 James Road purchased by then realtor (now developer) Bill Laidler. Pre-application submitted for 5 townhouses on the one lot. “The feedback from the pre-application was that it was too small of a development, staff was looking for larger developments to provide better streetscapes … based on that feedback I purchased the neighbouring property 148 James Road.”

• August 2018: Proposal for 3-storey stacked townhouses with 26 units and 1.4 FSR. Planning was supportive of the townhouse development … but encouraged to consider pursuing a multi-family rental project for this land assembly by council members.

• August 2019: Proposal for 6 storey, 64 unit rental building with a relatively good mix of 2 and 3 bedroom units. (See 2019-10-01: CPAC meeting to review proposal for 6 storey apartment building, James Road)

• May 2020: Proposal for 6 storey condo building, 114 units, many termed micro-suites. (See 2020-05-11: CPAC mtg, 148 and 154 James Road (Laidler) condo proposal)

• March 2022: Proposal (Dulex Laidler) revised again, for public hearing on March 8th. 6 storey, 88 units, 64 of which are one-bed or studio units, with the remaining 24 units planned as 19 two bedroom units, and 5 three-bedroom units. About 13 of the total would be below market rentals for a guaranteed 10 years (city staff recommend 60 years). The FSR (aka FAR) is 3.13, and the applicant is seeking a parking stall reduction. All city material for the public hearing can be found in agenda package here. Comments can be provided to clerks@portmoody.ca and council@portmoody.ca. Written comments should be sent no later than 12 noon on the day of the hearing. There is also an opportunity to participate in the meeting; see instructions in link above (agenda package).
  
  This proposal has attracted a lot of attention, and the agenda package includes 123 pages related to written public input.
  
  Of interest, on page 54 of the written public input, the developer has indicated a commitment to increase the tenure of the affordable rental units from 10 to 20 years. Also noted is “a potential partnership with Tall Tree Estates” which is 50 townhouse units at the south end of James Road, and other potential developments.

Port Moody resident Haven Lurbiecki presented to council on February 15, 2022 with regard to Clarifying the OCP — Interpretation of Land Use Planning Maps. This arose due to Port Moody planning staff declaring that any multi-family area in Port Moody is eligible to apply for up to 6 storey buildings. The James Road application would then qualify, though it is not marked on the OCP Map 11 showing Evergreen Line development sub-areas, and as shown in the diagram at the top of this post. Ms. Lurbiecki’s presentation can be viewed at the link here.

Related:
2022-01-22: Up to 6 storeys for all multi-family areas in PoMo? Contradictions.

The Moody Centre Community Association (MCCA) welcomes your comments.

***********************************

2022-03-08: Kyle Centre Rehabilitation — council discussion

2022-03-08: Kyle Centre Rehabilitation — council discussion

There are quite a few items on Port Moody council’s agenda for Tuesday, March 8, 2022 (see full agenda here). This meeting follows a public hearing for a six-storey residential building proposed for James Road (see separate post).

Under “New Business” is a report to council by Councillor Steve Milani calling for the rehabilitation of Kyle Centre. His report can be found on the agenda here.

Article in Tri-City News, March 4, 2022: Port Moody ‘tarp-covered eyesore’ is in ‘dire’ need of repair

Councillor Milani explains on his Facebook page as follows.

Steve Milani – Councillor, City of Port Moody

Kyle Centre has been left to fend for itself far too long and currently sits covered in tarps. It is crying out for help with actual holes rotted through its exterior cladding. If a person had severe lacerations, they would seek medical attention and be tended to with stitches, and antibiotics to help prevent infection. A building isn’t able to advocate for itself so it’s up to the community to do it. I wrote a report titled “Kyle Centre Rehabilitation” that will be on this Tuesday’s agenda. Its goal is to get Kyle the help it desperately needs so it can continue to play an integral role in the community for many years to come. Let’s bring back Kyle Centre to its former glory and then some! If you feel as passionate about this as I do, consider speaking during public input at the upcoming Council meeting. Here is the link to register for your two minutes of speaking time. https://portmoody.zoom.us/…/WN_gGOp5Of6QPqPB9uBuoIXGQ

Here is a link to the report and attachments: https://pub-portmoody.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx…

The Moody Centre Community Association has been asking for years for the neglect of Kyle Centre to be rectified. For example, 2020-01: Kyle Centre — Council, can you spare a dime? — 5-year financial plan

The Moody Centre Community Association (MCCA) welcomes your comments.

***********************************

2022-03-01: Coronation Park, Wesgroup, revised proposal, higher towers up to 45 storeys

2022-03-01: Coronation Park, Wesgroup, revised proposal, higher towers up to 45 storeys

Update: Port Moody council says no to 45-storey towers; Coronation Park project goes back to the future instead, TCN, March 2, 2022.

From agenda materials for March 1, 2022

Area as it is now.

Aerial view, current

Wesgroup’s revised proposal for a portion of the Coronation Park neighbourhood will come before council on March 1, 2022. Applicant Wesgroup is seeking approval to move to the next stage, a public hearing.

The area is currently comprised of 59 single-family homes. Wesgroup’s proposal is for about 2,665 residential units, as well as commercial space, and towers up to 45 storeys.

Much more information is available on the city website, agenda package, link here. There is also much more information on this site, and a search bar is available on the top right-hand side of the screen.

The Moody Centre Community Association (MCCA) welcomes your comments.

***********************************

2022-02-22: Public hearing, Marcon, 2025 St Johns (Clarke-Albert corner), former Barnet Hotel site

2022-02-22: Public hearing, Marcon, 2025 St Johns (Clarke-Albert corner), former Barnet Hotel site

Image from Tri-City News article, see link below

Update: Project approved. As of February 27, 2022 the public hearing video has not been posted to the city website.

Tri-City News, ‘Eyesore’ Port Moody property that used to be the Barnet Hotel and strip club will soon be ‘stunning’ with new condos, February 23, 2022

Tri-Cities Dispatch, Port Moody Goes Ahead With St. Johns Gateway Project, February 22, 2022

***********************************

Latest Bold project adjacent on the west side

Tuesday, February 22, 2022, 7:00 pm.

Electronic meeting

For information on participation, plus more project details, visit city website link here.

Written public input can be sent to clerks@portmoody.ca, and if you wish copied to council@portmoody.ca.

“Bylaw No. 3315, a Bylaw to amend City of Port Moody Zoning Bylaw, 2018, No. 2937 to facilitate a six-storey mixed-use development at 2025 St. Johns Street, including two buildings, with commercial and residential uses all located over a common underground parking structure.”

Tri-City News, February 18, 2022
Public hearing on Tuesday for condo project proposed at site of Port Moody’s old Barnet Hotel

The Moody Centre Community Association (MCCA) welcomes your comments.

***********************************

2022-02-12: Port Moody heritage and character to change? New dev’t proposal for Clarke Street, 2400 block

2022-02-12: Port Moody heritage and character to change? New dev’t proposal for Clarke Street, 2400 block

Tri-City News, February 16, 2022
Redevelopment proposal for Port Moody heritage district needs more heritage, say councillors

Tri-City News, February 11, 2022
Remember Gallery Bistro in Port Moody? Here’s what could be replacing it
“A proposal to build a pair of six-storey mixed-use buildings will dramatically alter the streetscape of Port Moody’s downtown along Clarke Street, between the Queens Street Plaza and Kyle Street.”

Below, what the area looks like now in February 2022.
(Further below, sketch of proposal for two 6-storey buildings.)

Clarke Street, 2400 block

New development proposal rendering

GBL Architects, Placemaker Communities, Milori Homes

At council, February 15, 2022, item 7.4, is a pre-application to transform a large block of Clarke Street from heritage buildings and empty lots to 6 storey apartments (rental and for purchase) with some commercial below. There is plenty more in the agenda package on this and other items; to view click here.

“Purpose
To provide an opportunity for early Council input on a Pre-Application submitted for 2407-2421 Clarke Street, 50 Queens Street, and 85 Kyle Street for a six-storey mixed use development consisting of two six-storey buildings containing 177 residential units, including 78 market-rental units, and 1,486m² (16,000ft²) of commercial space.”

The Official Community Plan (OCP) shows about half of this block as permitted to build up to 6 storeys, with the western side up to 3 storeys.

This block still has heritage buildings, though two were lost to fire in the summery of 2019 (Gallery Bistro and old groceteria).

The pre-application coming before council proposes to move one of the heritage buildings (currently housing Grit) to the corner of Spring and Queens Streets, with the rest of the site converted to 6-storey new buildings.

The Moody Centre Community Association (MCCA) welcomes your comments.

***********************************

2022-02-12: Port Moody, population and growth patterns, reports that PoMo is not growing

2022-02-12:  Port Moody, population and growth patterns, reports that PoMo is not growing

Statistics Canada, Census initial topline data release on Feb 10, 2022

Census data shows that from 2016-2021 Port Moody dropped by 16 residents. While this may be accurate, it doesn’t reflect what’s happening on the ground right now.

Not growing? Too slow? Too fast?

Photo below taken on Saturday, February 12. Note the traffic.

St Johns Street, looking north and east

The photos above just scratch the surface. Most of the building is taking place in or near Moody Centre. Two large towers are nearing completion at Suterbrook, Inlet Centre.

***********************************

MEDIA

CBC, Feb 10, 2022: The population of this city in busy Metro Vancouver barely changed since 2016, census data shows. Why is that?

“[Councillor] Lahti says the current council has approved more housing than the past two combined, but much of it is yet to be built.

“So I think that while it looks like we haven’t been growing, I think that the numbers will be higher by the next census,” Lahti said.”
…
“Mayor Rob Vagramov said the census is a lagging indicator.

“Looking to the Census to understand what’s going on with a city’s growth is like only looking out your rearview mirror while driving on the freeway,” Vagaramov said in a statement.”

***********************************

Tri-City News, Feb 11, 2022:  Canada census says Port Moody is shrinking. Mayor says just wait

“Rob Vagramov says Statistics Canada’s 2021 census population report that shows the city lost 16 residents since 2016 is a “lagging indicator” that doesn’t yet reflect new developments that are set to boost the number of residents by at least 50 per cent by 2041.”

***********************************

Looking at the cranes and buildings going up in Port Moody right now tells a story of development in progress (and some are recent completions that may not be captured in the Census data).

Over the past 12 years, from 2010 to 2021, 72 percent (72%) of the housing starts in Port Moody have occurred in the last three years, from 2019 to 2021. Looking at it another way, from 2010 to 2018 housing starts totalled 28 percent (28%), barely more than a quarter of all starts over a 12 year period.

Port Moody housing starts, 2010 to 2021, credit to Patricia Bryant Mace with CMHC data

The media reporting — on the face of it — suggests Port Moody has stalled out in growth because the latest 2021 census data shows a population decline of 16 people over a five-year period (2016-2021). What doesn’t rise to the surface is the “lagging indicator” of housing starts that are not yet occupied, nor projects approved in principle but not yet started with shovels in the ground.

Not growing? Too slow? Too fast?

The Moody Centre Community Association (MCCA) welcomes your comments.

***********************************

2022-02-08: Urban Forest Management Strategy (Public Engagement), at council

2022-02-08: Urban Forest Management Strategy (Public Engagement), at council

Post-meeting media story, Tri-Cities Dispatch:
‘Fancy Talk And Pretty Words;’ Port Moody Urged To Quicken Pace On Tree Protection

Moody Centre has lost a lot of mature trees over a relatively short period of time. Where the replacement trees are going (if anywhere) is a mystery, unless the city keeps some kind of ledger/spreadsheet tracking tree loss and replacement, which should include types of trees, condition, size, carbon offsets (or not). The question was asked at Tuesday’s council meeting (Feb 8, 2022). Awaiting answer.

***********************************

Next Tuesday, February 8, 2022, the Port Moody council agenda package includes:

Urban Forest Management Strategy (Public Engagement)

https://pub-portmoody.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=12852

“Port Moody has an extensive network of native forests and planted trees found across riparian and marine foreshore areas, parks, rights-of-ways, residential areas, and other land uses that all contribute to the city’s overall urban forest canopy cover. A 2018 canopy assessment found citywide canopy cover to be approximately 55%, with parks being the land use where the highest canopy cover is found.”

2018 — 55%
2022 — ??, sure to be significantly less than 2018.

Below is a Google aerial snip of just a small area of Moody Centre between the elementary and middle school. It is not up-to-date. You can see Marcon George happening, but the 2800 block St George still shows houses and green. At Buller and St Johns an application (Forte) has been approved but nothing has happened, and just south and west is the area of the Buffalo Group application. Further south, still green for now, is where the 3000 Henry development has been approved. Overall, quite a lot of tree canopy gone or about to be gone.

The Moody Centre Community Association (MCCA) welcomes your comments.

***********************************