The Editor:
Regarding the new Portwood community (TriCityNews.com, April 11, 2023), more housing is great.
However, without a well-prepared plan for not just transit, but a complete transportation plan for the development, there are bound to be issues around traffic, bike ways, walkways and easy transit options.
As we strive to make walkable communities that are not reliant on car transportation, planning for housing is only a partial plan.
Where are the nearest grocery stores and how does one easily get there without a car?
How does one easily and quickly get to a transit hub?
How far away is it for kids to get to school without being driven by their parents?
While on our Port Moody transportation committee, a motion was passed for new development to have a plan to deal with transportation.
I wonder what happened to that motion as the Portwood development would certainly benefit from a transportation plan.
Far too often, our council is making decisions out of fear for losing funding or losing the interest of a developer.
Funny thing is, you can’t build more land — it’s a finite resource.
So why is council so desperate to make a decision for fear of losing out on a developer before a good plan that includes a transportation plan is in place?
Why shouldn’t a developer have a transportation plan as part of their presentation package and foot some of the bill to build in the transportation solutions?
- Audey Korpus, Port Moody
