Some Port Moody residents are concerned the city intends to designate a piece of land in the Inlet Centre area for more highrises.
Several people expressed their opposition to tower developments during a council meeting Tuesday night, saying they felt their input was not included in the draft of the official community plan (OCP).
Port Moody resident Claire Cummings told council the neighbourhood is opposed to construction of more towers and that development on the land north of Newport Village should be used for maximum four-storey apartments.
"Mayor [Joe] Trasolini, you are always saying publicly that in Port Moody we always listen to the citizens," Cummings said during the public input opportunity at the beginning of the meeting. "In this case, perhaps you are listening but you are not hearing."
Last Saturday, council took its first look at the draft OCP during a public meeting. But that review session was abruptly concluded when council decided it could not debate a planning document until more information on various transit infrastructure projects is available. The city has been waiting for the province and TransLink to commit to constructing the Evergreen Line and the Murray-Clarke Connector before it can proceed with its OCP.
Trasolini said there will be plenty of opportunity for residents to raise their density concerns when the OCP review resumes after Oct. 31.
Trasolini added that he would not be in favour of more high-density development if the province does not follow through with its promise of funding for the Evergreen Line and the Murray-Clarke Connector.
Earlier this week, Eric Stansfield, a Newport Village resident, told The Tri-City News that homeowners in the area believe there is no more room for condo towers. He said with improvements to the Pitt River Bridge and new towers in Coquitlam the municipality is already bracing itself for increased traffic.
His concerns are backed up by city studies, which have found 70% of vehicle traffic going through Port Moody originates from outside the municipality.
gmckenna@tricitynews.com