Anmore will request a meeting with provincial transport minister Rob Fleming at September’s convention of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to discuss road access between communities and the ability for a community to remove that access.
But the village’s mayor, John McEwen, cautions the meeting will likely only occur with ministerial staff as ministers and MLAs will likely be on the campaign trail for the provincial elections scheduled for Oct. 19.
The request for the meeting was put forth by Coun. Paul Weverink as the village is in the early stages of considering a massive development proposal by Port Moody-based Icona Properties that wants to build 3,300 new homes on 150 acres of property it owns at 1st Avenue and Sunnyside Road.
If it’s approved, the project could triple Anmore’s current population of 2,200 residents.
A major bone of contention for council has been the impact the proposed development would have on traffic getting in and out along the only two roads — Ioco Road and East Road — that currently connect the village to neighbouring Port Moody and the rest of Metro Vancouver.
Development of Anmore South could triple village's population, impact Port Moody traffic https://t.co/SX7CzkJX1s
— Tri-City News (@TriCityNews) December 4, 2023
In March, council requested a traffic plan be included in a comprehensive neighbourhood plan to guide elements of the development like its need for civic facilities, its street network and business case for retail and commercial spaces as well as transportation connections.
“Anmore needs a way to figure out is there a way to bring more transportation here,” said Coun. Doug Richardson.
A possible third route, along an extension of David Avenue, is no longer available after a decision in 2020 by Port Moody council to remove references to an old gravel right-of-way through Bert Flinn Park from the city’s official community plan as an eventual connector road.
At the time, McEwen called the decision “disrespectful,” because of Port Moody’s lack of consultation with Anmore and could put residents of the village and neighbouring Belcarra at risk should a disaster like a wildfire occur.
“The current emergency routes (East Road and Ioco Road) are winding and slow-moving,” he said in a letter submitted to Port Moody council, adding the roads are especially congested in the summer with traffic heading to regional parks in the villages.
McEwen said Port Moody’s decision also defied a memorandum of understanding signed by the two communities in 2015 that they would work together on any matters related to development of the Ioco Lands, a large tract of property at the end of Ioco Road that once extended up to the parcel now owned by Icona.
“We highlighted the impacts on Ioco Road as there will still be growth in our region,” McEwen said.
Meanwhile, Anmore has scheduled three upcoming workshops to provide an opportunity for village residents to provide input on the neighbourhood plan for Icona’s proposed development project.
“These early discussions are an important step to gather input on community priorities,” said a statement on the village’s website.
The dates and times for the workshops are:
- Wednesday, June 12, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 13, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, June 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
They will be held at the new community hub at 2697 Sunnyside Rd. and registration is required.
