Port Moody is either a waterfront city or it’s not.

And if it chooses to live up to its moniker as “The Other North Shore,” then the city had better be more accommodating to the things that make the waterfront vibrant.

The problem is this: A restaurant site on the west edge of the boat launch area of Rocky Point Park was nixed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as too close to habitat. The site was moved to the middle of the parking lot, thus reducing the amount of space where boaters can leave trailers while they are on the water.

The city’s solution is to identify parking spots within a couple of blocks, which will add to traffic problems in the area as vehicles towing trailers drive around looking for vacancies, and add to congestion at the launch as it will take longer to get boats in the water and moor them while the driver heads off to track down a place to drop a trailer.

A restaurant is a nice addition to Rocky Point Park but it is not essential; there are many good restaurants in the Tri-Cities and many locations where a new one could open.

Water access for boaters, on the other hand, is rare and supports numerous businesses servicing the maritime trade.

Turning the majority of a limited amount of public space to the benefit of a private company is not in the best interests of the public, no matter which way the issue is presented.