housing

Port Moody has focused on luxury condos long enough. What we need now is to focus on housing affordability and ensuring development meets the actual housing needs of our community while sticking to responsible levels of growth.

Haven Lurbiecki

What Port Moody Needs to Do:

Stick to Reasonable Growth Targets

At just 10 square miles and surrounded by mountains and water, Port Moody faces significant constraints on our roadway networks and on the space available to build and develop. Port Moody’s population growth must match our ability to handle this growth. This is why a population growth target of 50,000 residents by 2041 was established during our last Official Community Plan (OCP) process. Yet current development proposals on the table for Port Moody could put our population at over 65,000 (according to city data), almost doubling  our current population. This level of growth threatens quality of life and the ability of our roadways, parkland, trails, and other public infrastructure to cope. 

 

As a City Councillor I will:

 

  • Ensure we do not surpass 50,000 population  before 2041 (per OCP)
  • Negotiation with developers to ensure growth pays for growth through adequate community amenity agreements
  • Ensure the developments I do support provide maximum benefits to the community, not just growth for the sake of growth
  • Support action on climate change through responsible building designs such as mass timber. Concrete production is a major contributor of greenhouse gases

Finish Our Official Community Plan

Port Moody’s Official Community Plan (OCP) is the place where our community lays out its long-term vision for land use (e.g. housing types and maximum heights, density, parkland, building design, desired community character) across the city.  It is informed through substantial community engagement.  The last time Port Moody fully updated its OCP was 2014.  We are in the midst of an OCP revision process that the next council will complete.  This election is our opportunity to shape that vision.  And when we have completed our OCP, we need to respect the voices of our residents. Amendments to our community’s plan should be an exception, not the expectation of developers it is now. 

 

As City Councillor I will:

 

  • Work with council and staff to complete our new OCP by 2023
  • Ensure the new OCP remains a ‘community plan’ informed by residents, not developers
  • Respect the vision of the community by sticking to our OCP once complete.  I will not support OCP amendments unless there is substantial community benefit in return
  • Ensure the Old Firehall Site and Works Yard are not sold or leased for market housing. Implement an interim use while community engagement informs long-term vision
  • Make sure the community guides the future of Kyle Center through the OCP process

Ensure Housing Meets Our Needs

Port Moody is experiencing a housing affordability crisis while at the same time not building the types of housing our community actually needs or that would help address affordability. All new housing developments need to include substantial affordable (below-market) units. No more exceptions or negotiations.  Port Moody also needs to focus on ensuring the developments we approve offer a diverse range of housing types, not just market condos.  We need townhomes, 100% rental buildings, multiplexes, co-ops, and other supportive housing that can help families and individuals call Port Moody home. Building housing like this is possible through city policy and partnerships. 

 

As a City Councillor I will:

 

  • Ensure at least 15% affordable housing is an expectation, not a trade-off for amenities such as park space.
  • Support pre-zoning of areas for specific housing types such a rentals or affordable housing. 
  • Expect developers to provide affordable housing within the vision of our OCP.  
  • Advocate for the range of housing Port Moody needs like townhomes, rental buildings, and socially-supportive housing, not just market condo towers.  

What Haven Has Done So Far:

I have been an outspoken advocate for responsible growth and community planning, expressing caution about approving developments that exceed the city’s Official Community Plan or do not meet the community’s needs. 

The Need for Affordable Housing

Watch Haven speaking out against the lack of affordable housing at the Public Hearing for Coronation Park and asking council to reject the developer’s request to amend our Official Community Plan

Delegation to Council: Improving Information About Development on City Website

Haven’s delegation to council prompted the city to make immediate changes to improve public access to information regarding development applications in our city.  

Delegation to Council: Calling for More Public Engagement on Changes to Townhouse Developments

Haven’s delegation to council identifies a serious gap in public engagement on a staff interpretation that essentially allows all townhouse developments in Port Moody to be developed to 6 story without an OCP amendment. Unfortunately, our current council has not supported addressing this issue.

CKNW: Interview About Coronation Park Development

Haven is interviewed by Raji Sohal on CKNW about the proposed OCP amendment for Coronation Park  

Tri-City News Letter: 'Working Hard' Simply Isn't Enough to Own a Home in Port Moody

Haven writes a letter to the editor to respond to perspectives outlined in a July 22, 2021 Letter to the Editor (Letter: Homeownership is earned, especially in Port Moody)

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Tri-City News Letter: Luxury Towers Won't Solve Port Moody's Housing Woes

Haven writes a letter to the editor advocating for more affordable housing options

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Tri-City News Letter: Massive Port Moody Proposal is Not 'Affordable' Housing

Haven writes a letter to the editor calling on city council to demand more out of the developer

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