Port Moody will spend $2,100 for a public consultation plan to find possible solutions for concerns about traffic safety, noise and the use of public space in Suter Brook Village.
Frustrations about congestion on the development’s local road network caused by garbage bins and idling delivery trucks, chaotic traffic movement and fears for the safety of pedestrians were raised by residents during a public hearing last March into a proposal by Onni Group to allow it to construct an additional 26-storey tower, as well as a six-storey building, on its last remaining parcel of land in the project. That proposal was approved by council last Tuesday.
But many residents had expressed concerns the construction of the new tower, along with another previously approved 26-storey tower, would make their ongoing worries about traffic, noise and safety even worse.
Among their concerns are:
• the condition of paving stones on sidewalks, crosswalks and plazas, many of which have settled causing an uneven surface;
• a lack of street parking that causes visitors to circle endlessly looking for a vacant spot;
• a lack of dedicated loading zones for delivery vehicles;
• and noise created by delivery and garbage trucks operating as early as 4 a.m.
While Port Moody Mayor Mike Clay said at the time he had had discussions with Onni about residents’ concerns, the consultation will invite specific input from Suter Brook’s residents, businesses and strata corporations. There will also be an opportunity for them to participate in walking tours of Suter Brook’s public spaces to see problems first hand, talk about possible solutions and determine the effectiveness of actions that have already been taken.
The consultation is expected to begin in November and a summary should be presented to council in January.
