Coquitlam city council will hear final comments from the public on Metro Vancouver's draft Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) next Wednesday before it votes on the controversial plan later this month.
Council has been struggling with the document for several months, last week labelling it "a dog's breakfast."
"I'm tired of talking about it," Coun. Mae Reid, chair of the city's land use committee, said of the plan for Metro Vancouver over the next 30 years. "This is an unbelievably complicated thing."
Many councillors are concerned with how much power could be transferred to the regional agency once the plan is approved. As well, there is a fear about the protection of riparian zones and green space, in particular, the long-term designation of the Westwood Plateau golf course lands.
At the Feb. 21 council meeting, Coun. Lou Sekora tried to have council get a re-designation of the golf course lands from the proposed RGS "general urban" classification to the "conservation and recreation" category.
But his recommendation, which was deferred to the March 21 council meeting, was strongly criticized by Mayor Richard Stewart, who said a re-designation wasn't possible (Stewart later lashed out about Sekora's motion on his Facebook page).
Coquitlam has until March 22 to vote on the draft RGS.
Already, councils around Metro Vancouver have approved the strategy, including Port Coquitlam's.
Metro Vancouver says it will take just one city opposing the document to shatter a fragile political consensus that has taken years to craft. But opponents aren't optimistic about their chances of defeating the new master plan for development.
"It's like a freight train going down the track," said Randy Helten, a critic with the group metrovanwatch.ca. "There's huge momentum behind this regional growth strategy. But hopefully enough people will realize there are some serious problems with it."
The train picked up more steam Monday night, when Surrey and Richmond councils both endorsed the accord, which replaces the outdated Liveable Region Strategic Plan.
Vancouver was to join them Thursday and more votes in Langley Township and Pitt Meadows are expected next week.
Last month, Port Moody council voted 5-1 to reject the document, saying their city can't agree to take more population growth without needed transportation improvements, notably the Evergreen Line and Murray-Clarke Connector.
Port Moody Mayor Joe Trasolini, who cast the lone vote in favour, says his council has lashed out at Metro Vancouver over decisions that are actually up to TransLink. He said he's not convinced his city's stance will hold and predicts the issue will be revisited.
A final ratification vote by the Metro board is set for April 29.
If adopted, cities will have two years to pass regional context statements that show how their official community plans will align with the regional strategy.
The Coquitlam public input session on the Regional Growth Strategy is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9 at city hall (3000 Guildford Way).
-with files from Janis Warren, The Tri-City News.
