Municipal News- Port Moody
January 25, 2022
Climate Ready Homes and Building Plan
The City has extended an invitation to participate in an engagement session on the Port Moody Climate Ready Homes and Building Plan on February 1st from 1-3pm.
The Plan will outline specific actions the City, residents, and business owners can take to make homes and buildings in Port Moody climate ready. The objectives of the workshop are to:
- Provide an overview of Port Moody’s climate action plan and actions to date on low carbon resilient buildings;
- Summarize the building-related policy landscape;
- Outline proposed policy recommendations; and
- Seek your feedback on key policy recommendations, alignment, and supporting measures.
If you are interested in attending, please email Heather Park at hpark@udi.org to receive the calendar invitation. If you have any questions about the session itself, please contact Laura Sampliner at lsampliner@portmoody.ca.
December 14, 2021
2022 Fees Bylaw
The City of Port Moody adopted the Fees Bylaw for fees charged in 2022. The Bylaw includes fee amounts for building, planning and development, sustainability, engineering, and all other fees associated with business and operations within the city.
Provisional 2022 Capital Budget
On December 7th, Council received the Provisional 2022-2026 Capital Budget for information, which passed unanimously. The report can be read here, with the draft of the Plan and list of all proposed projects here.
The list of 2022 projects are diverse and includes project submissions for the following items:
- Fleet replacements;
- Road reconstruction and rehabilitation at various locations throughout the City;
- Boardwalk and pedestrian bridge reconstruction at the Inlet Trail;
- Synthetic turf replacement project at Trasolini Field and bike trail bridge at Noons Creek;
- Improvements to traffic signals, street lights, and bus stops;
- Major utility projects, including Glenayre/Seaview/College Park water system rehabilitation; and
- Storm/drainage rehabilitations at various locations.
With some of the projects approved, staff can begin the necessary project planning, procurement, and general resourcing required in January 2022.
November 30, 2021
Climate Ready Homes & Buildings Survey
The City is developing a plan that will outline specific actions the City, residents, and business owners can take to make homes and buildings in Port Moody climate ready. There is a community survey to share thoughts on making homes and buildings climate ready. Visit engageportmoody.ca/climate-ready to fill out the survey and learn more. Input will inform the development of a community-wide plan.
A climate ready home or building is one that has been designed or modified to:
- meet low carbon and high energy-efficiency standards; and
- manage many of the risks that are linked to climate change such as heat-related illness, poor indoor air quality, or damage from flooding or windstorms.
The City’s Climate Action Plan includes specific goals and targets for homes and buildings because they are Port Moody’s second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, due to the use of fossil-fuel-powered heating, cooling, and hot water systems. The key to reducing emissions is to build or renovate structures so they meet high energy-efficiency and low carbon standards. Homes and buildings also need to last, which means they need to be able to withstand the effects of climate change such as extreme rainfall events, extreme heat, drought, wildfire, poor air quality, and sea level rise. A climate ready homes and buildings plan will help the City take collective action to improve its homes and buildings, so that it can build a better future for everyone who chooses to live or work in Port Moody.
Please share this survey opportunity with your networks. If you have any questions, please contact climateaction@portmoody.ca
2022 Fees Bylaw
On November 23, Council gave First, Second and Third reading to the proposed 2022 Fees Bylaw. Some fees remain the same as 2021 rates, but in most cases, the fees have been adjusted to reflect a 2% inflationary increase with rounding. One exception was under Building Fees related to the Waste Management Fee for Demolition. It has been adjusted in the square footage categories, and increased by 20-72%.
Water and Sewer Fees were another exception. Water rates will increase by 2.95%, and Sewer rates will decrease by 2.79% in 2022. This translates to an increase in the residential rate for Water from $475 to $489. The residential rate for Sewer will decrease from $358 to $348 (originally proposed at $379). This represents a $14 residential increase for Water and a $10 residential decrease for Sewer.
The full report to Council can be read here.
November 16, 2021
Climate Ready Homes and Buildings Engagement
The City of Port Moody is developing a plan that will outline specific actions the City, residents, and business owners can take to make homes and buildings in Port Moody climate ready. The City invites you to fill out a community survey and share your thoughts on making homes and buildings climate ready. Visit engageportmoody.ca/climate-ready to fill out the survey and learn more. This input will inform the development of a community-wide plan.
Port Moody’s Climate Action Plan includes specific goals and targets for homes and buildings because they are the City’s second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, due to the use of fossil-fuel-powered heating, cooling, and hot water systems.
If you have any questions, please contact climateaction@portmoody.ca
October 19, 2021
Feasibility Assessment of Third SkyTrain Station
At its July 20, 2021 meeting, Council discussed the third reading of the Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment and Rezoning for the proposed development at 1142 Cecile Drive and 300 Angela Drive, also known as Woodland Park. Staff were directed to report back to Council with potential funding options for a third SkyTrain station and Council requested a briefing from TransLink staff regarding feasible location options for a third SkyTrain station west of Moody Centre Station. TransLink indicated the City had to complete its own assessment in advance of a briefing.
The City retained Urban Systems to conduct a high-level assessment of opportunities for a third SkyTrain station within Port Moody west of Moody Centre Station. The assessment included:
- Examining characteristics of SkyTrain lines;
- Reviewing general planning considerations around SkyTrain stations;
- Estimating development potential in the area west of Moody Centre Station;
- Conducting a high-level modelling exercise of potential ridership;
- Discussing various funding opportunities for a station.
Discussion of the assessment findings can be found in the report on page 340 of the agenda package. The report was received for information by Council, and the motion was carried unanimously. Next steps for this work include a feasibility study with conceptual design and cost estimating for each of the potential station areas (i.e north tunnel portal, Douglas Street / Reichhold Weigh Scale, Queens Street).
May 18, 2021
Port Moody 2050
As part of Port Moody 2050, a one- to two-year process to gather public input and draft focused updates to the Official Community Plan, staff invite you to fill out a community survey on some key topics that were identified by the public and City Council in our initial phases of engagement. Your input will help us prepare land use scenarios and options for four Port Moody neighbourhood areas: Seaview, Moody Centre Transit-Oriented Development Area, Oceanfront District (west of Rocky Point Park), and Murray Street. You’ll have a chance to share your thoughts on these land use scenarios in our next phase of public engagement planned for September/October 2021.
Go to engage.portmoody.ca to fill out the survey today.
January 26, 2021
Public Engagement Process: Proposed changes to Environmentally Sensitive Areas Management Strategy
Further to the information provided last fall, the City of Port Moody is proposing an update to its 20-year-old ESA Management Strategy. The City has created a new project page at engage.portmoody.ca. A feedback form is also available as well as information on the virtual public engagement session (Jan. 28, 2021) and a workshop for residents and property owners (Feb. 4, 2021). I’ve also added the details below for reference:
General Information Session
Purpose: Staff will provide a general overview of the current ESA Management Strategy, the development permit process, and the proposed update to the Strategy. This session is open to anyone who would like to learn more about this topic and participants will be able to ask questions and share their thoughts.
Date: Thursday, January 28, 2021
Time: 7-8:30pm
Registration information is available at engage.portmoody.ca.
Targeted Workshop for residents and property owners along the marine shoreline
Purpose: Staff will provide specific information about the proposed marine assessment area and how it may affect property owners along the marine shoreline. Participants will be able to ask questions and share their thoughts.
Date: Thursday, February 4, 2021
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Information on how to sign up for this targeted workshop is available at engage.portmoody.ca.
The online feedback form will be open until February 21, 2021 and once the public engagement process is complete, a report will be brought to a regular Council meeting in the spring and any changes will need to go through the Public Hearing process before being implemented. If you have any questions about our public engagement process for the ESA Management Strategy update, please email esa@portmoody.ca.
January 12, 2021
Updated Energy Step Code Requirements – Effective January 1, 2021
As of January 1st, 2021 Port Moody’s Energy Step Code (ESC) requirements have changed for Building Permit applications and development applications seeking rezoning on or after January 1, 2021! To find the latest information on Port Moody’s ESC requirements visit the City’s Energy Step Code web page.
The early ESC adoption schedule was adopted by Port Moody Council on July 9, 2019. Requirements can also be found in Building Bylaw No. 3200 and in the Corporate Policy applicable to applications seeking rezoning .
When designing projects, applicants are encouraged to consult the City’s Energy Step Code website to consider requirements that are in place at the expected time of Building Permit or Development Permit application. Changes in requirements do not affect applications in stream.
December 1, 2020
Housing Needs Workshop
The City of Port Moody is holding an online Housing Needs Workshop on December 4, 2020. This workshop will help inform the Housing Needs Assessment and provide opportunities for builders to share their thoughts on the types of housing needed in Port Moody. The Workshop details are included below:
- Date: Friday, December 4th
- Time: 3pm to 4:30pm
- Where: Online via Zoom
- To register, please contact Liam McLellan at lmclellan@portmoody.ca
October 20, 2020
Update to ESA Management Strategy, development permit areas, and guidelines
The City of Port Moody is updating its Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Management Strategy to help protect, restore, and connect ESAs during the development process.
A Development Permit Area (DPA) for the protection of ESAs (designated as DPA 4 in our DPA Guidelines) has been in place in Port Moody since 2011. Development Permits (DPs) are required before activities can proceed on lands within most ESAs. Information and assessment is required for properties in DPA 4 before development can proceed. This process identifies guidelines and measures to ensure that development is low-impact, meets the requirements of senior governments, and protects and restores ESAs.
The proposed update includes:
- accurate mapping, including improved mapping of most watercourses (including ditches), forest units, and marine high water;
- a revised Development Permit Area designation, with a name change from DPA 4: Environmentally Sensitive Areas to Environmental Development Permit Area (EDPA);
- inclusion of the marine shoreline within the new EDPA, recognizing the potential impact of land use behind the shoreline edge;
- delineation of streamside setbacks (established in the Zoning Bylaw and updated in 2018) within the new EDPA;
- incorporation of an assessment area to define the EDPA to ensure a review is triggered for all properties adjacent to natural areas designated as ESAs; and
- updated DPA guidelines that maximize opportunities for protection and restoration of ESAs, reduce impacts associated with adjacent urban development, and continue to ensure requirements of senior governments are met.
A tiered review process is recommended to account for different types and scales of development – more assessment and protective measures are expected with larger, more complex projects.
The draft update will be presented to Council in fall 2020 for their consideration. It is anticipated that any adopted changes to the Development Permit Area designation for ESAs and the DPA Guidelines would be in place by the end of 2020.
More information regarding the proposed changes is available at portmoody.ca/esa, and questions or concerns can be emailed directly to Karen Devitt at kdevitt@portmoody.ca.
September 22, 2020
Energy Step Code – Information Update
The City of Port Moody has shared several Energy Step Code-related updates for builders.
Port Moody Airtightness Rebate
Port Moody is currently offering a rebate, funded by BC Hydro, for air tightness tests in Part 9 buildings. The rebate period will end December 31, 2020 so make sure to get your applications in soon!
There are two streams of rebate applications:
- new Part 9 construction nearing the mid-construction (pre-drywall) inspection stage; and
- existing Part 9 buildings, including a variety of existing Part 9 archetypes that are at the final inspection stage or have achieved occupancy within the last 12 months of the rebate application date.
Check out the City’s Energy Step Code web page under “Incentives” to learn more.
StepWin 2.0
The City of Port Moody has partnered with StepWin to offer builders access to an energy modelling tool that can help you meet local BC Energy Step Code requirements. We’re offering builders free access to the StepWin software for a limited time. If you give StepWin a try, we’d love to hear from you. Send your feedback to lsampliner@portmoody.ca
StepWin 2.0 is now capable of handling Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURB) in addition to the Single-Family Dwellings (SFD). StepWin is actively developing features for Retrofits (renovations) in parallel with new construction. When you sign up for your free account, simply click on your project type and watch the instructions and get started.
Contact StepWin at info@lambda.science to learn more.
Future Weather Files for Building Energy Modelling
In North America, the most commonly used weather file for building energy performance simulations is called Typical Meteorological Year (TMY). A TMY file represents the typical long-term weather pattern and is created by analyzing 15-30 years of historical hourly data for the specific site. Since typical building lifetimes can be around 60 years or more, weather files need to cover projected future changes that incorporate climate change.
The Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium has developed future weather files available for download and use that utilize three different 30-year periods: the 2020s (roughly current conditions), the 2050s, and the 2080s. Each file is produced using the RCP8.5 concentration pathway, which is a relatively high emissions scenario. If the planet follows a lower emissions trajectory such as RCP4.5, roughly consistent with 2 degrees of warming since the pre-industrial period globally, the 2050s RCP8.5 file would be roughly representative of conditions in 2070s instead.
Projected changes to BC’s climate may bring a number of impacts and associated risks to BC’s buildings and their occupants. Future shifted weather files have been used to inform the BC Housing Step Code Design Guide Supplement on Overheating and Air Quality. The City of Port Moody encourages use of these files in building energy modelling submitted.
Click here to access these weather files.
August 11, 2020
Regulations for Market Rental Apartment Businesses (Renoviction Bylaw) Approved
As mentioned previously, a report was presented to Council on July 28 regarding Regulations for Market Rental Apartment Businesses (Renoviction Bylaw). This report and the proposed Bylaw changes were approved by consent at the July 28 Regular Council Meeting.
July 28, 2020
UPDATED: Affordable Housing Task Force Final Report Approved
On July 14, Port Moody Council approved 8 recommendations contained in the final report from the Affordable Housing Task Force. The recommendations are listed at the end of the Council report found here. A few notable recommendations include:
- Update Port Moody’s requirement on rental replacement, strengthening tenant relocation, and strengthening demolition policies as informed by recommendations from the Task Force in-line with the municipality of Burnaby.
- Investigating the adoption the three-tiered approach taken by New Westminster requiring percentages but with options for 12.5% affordable (20% below CMHC), or 6% at shelter rates for projects within OCP guidelines, with a suite of incentives for development options. For projects seeking OCP amendment and/or exceeding established density thresholds, or in TOD areas, these should have policy provision of a minimum of 20% of total units or floor area as built affordable units; number of units and rental rates subject to discussions with Council and senior governments, and consideration of other amenities, such as projects in the TOD that include a significant component of employment space.
- Develop a policy related to multi-family developments with minimum thresholds for inclusion of family-friendly units, those being of two, three and more bedrooms as informed by our housing needs assessment and statistics included in this report.
These recommendations are in addition to the four directions approved by Council in April as part of the Interim Affordable Housing Guidelines.
Another report will also be presented to Council on July 28 regarding Regulations for Market Rental Apartment Businesses (Renoviction Bylaw). The report includes proposed changes to proposed the City of Port Moody Business Licensing and Regulation Bylaw, which, ” would address the steps a person or individual carrying on the business of, or operating, a Market Rental Apartment would have to undertake when repairing or renovating a dwelling unit. This includes:
- the conditions under which evictions would be considered;
- provisions for temporary accommodation for tenants in situations when evictions are
deemed necessary; - provisions for contravention of the bylaw; and,
- conditions under which exemptions would be considered.”
For instances of non-compliance the report suggests the following penalties:
- Eviction without Permits – $500.00; and
- Eviction without Tenant Relocation – $500.00.
The full report can be found on page 318 of the Council agenda, here.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Cassandra McColman.
July 14, 2020
Affordable Housing Task Force Final Report
At the Council meeting scheduled for July 14, 2020, Staff will present the final report of the City’s Affordable Housing Task Force. Further to the interim guidelines that were adopted in April 2020, this report recommends:
- Update Port Moody’s requirement on rental replacement, strengthening tenant relocation, and strengthening demolition policies as informed by recommendations from the Task Force in-line with the municipality of Burnaby.
- Liaising with City of Burnaby staff after they have completed their review of best practices in minimum standards of rental maintenance and presented to Council for comparison with Port Moody’s current practices.
- While crafting an inclusionary zoning policy for Port Moody, investigating the adoption the three-tiered approach taken by New Westminster requiring percentages but with options for 12.5% affordable (20% below CMHC), or 6% at shelter rates for projects within OCP guidelines, with a suite of incentives for development options. For projects seeking OCP amendment and/or exceeding established density thresholds, or in TOD areas, these should have policy provision of a minimum of 20% of total units or floor area as built affordable units; number of units and rental rates subject to discussions with Council and senior governments, and consideration of other amenities, such as projects in the TOD that include a significant component of employment space. Units may be owned by developer with occupancy management by a non-profit or BC Housing in perpetuity, or sold to a non-profit or BC Housing at below-market value. The Affordable housing task force suggests that inclusionary zoning should apply to all developments over 80 units, with townhouse developments requiring additional contributions to the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund, as per revised policy. This the preferred type of policy recommended by the Affordable Housing Policy; however, due to differences between municipalities regarding density and/ or height restrictions, these recommendations would need be fulfilled in a Port Moody specific context.
- Staff update parking relaxation policies to be in-line with more ambitious relaxations and suggest where there are areas of the city that would benefit from differential levels of parking relaxations for rental and affordable housing in order to include city-wide relaxations for affordable housing as part of incentives for inclusionary zoning (as per Victoria and New Westminster policies).
- Staff to continue to monitor developments in the application of rental only zoning, particularly as it is used for maintaining affordable housing stocks;
- Staff and Council continue to support fee waivers and property tax waivers for non-profit housing developments as negotiated on a case-by-case basis with specific advice regarding what the City is willing to provide;
- Staff develop a policy related to multi-family developments with minimum thresholds for inclusion of family-friendly units, those being of two, three and more bedrooms as informed by our housing needs assessment and statistics included in this report.
- Staff investigate policies regarding hostile architecture and report back on findings and opportunities to exclude such features. This may include exploring policies, including:
- Change all design standard by-laws and policies for public and private spaces to prohibit the use of defensive or hostile design features;
- [Port Moody] should stipulate in contracts privatising public spaces that the ownership and management of said spaces be subject to the prohibition of defensive architectural features;
- Port Moody should implement contracting embargoes on companies which specifically design street furniture pieces that are ‘anti-homeless’ or ‘anti-youth’; these designs should not include measures which actively make facilities uncomfortable for particular people.
- Port Moody should update our public consultation process on developments to make sure marginalized groups are supported to inclusively participate.
For the full report please see here.
June 16, 2020
Interim Affordable Housing Policy
Earlier this spring, the City of Port Moody Council approved an Interim Affordable Housing Policy, which “sets expectations for the provision of affordable housing units as part of new multi-family residential and mixed-use residential development applications that involve a rezoning or an Official Community Plan amendment.”
The policy includes definitions for different levels of affordability and types of affordable units as well as interim guidelines for land use change applicants. Key expectations laid out in the guidelines are:
- The City anticipates, as part of any rezoning and/or OCP amendment application, that an affordable housing component would be included, with a preference for affordable rental units;
- The City expects a minimum 15% share of below-market rental units for projects larger than 30 units;
- Where options other than affordable rental units are proposed, the City would expect the number of units to be greater than if affordable rental units were proposed to be included;
- Affordable rental units may be owned by the developer with occupancy management arranged through a non-profit society or BC Housing, or sold to a non-profit society or BC Housing at below-market value. The City requests confirmation of these arrangements prior to adoption of the requested land use changes;
- Any affordable rental units are requested to be secured for the long term: 60 years or the useful life of the building; and
- Projects resulting in ten or more units should ideally provide a unit mix as set out in the following table:
| Number of Bedrooms | Share of Units |
| Studios | 70% max |
| 1-Bedroom | |
| 2-Bedroom | 20% min |
| 3-Bedroom | 10% min |
The guidelines also specify that the City may allow flexibility for projects under certain circumstances, and will consider incentives for the provision of affordable housing.
Staff continue to work on both a more extensive Inclusionary Housing Policy and wider Affordable Housing Strategy, which is expected to be completed later this year.
If you have questions regarding this Interim Policy, please contact Jeff Fisher or Cassandra McColman.
May 19, 2020
Draft Climate Action Plan
On May 19, Council will be receiving a presentation from City staff regarding Port Moody’s draft Climate Action Plan (starting on page 12). The draft Plan includes several measures that could impact builders, such as:
- Developing a green infrastructure policy/program;
- Implementing an Environmentally Sensitive Areas Strategy;
- Encouraging density and mixed-use neighborhoods around transportation hubs;
- Encouraging complete, compact communities;
- Requiring comprehensive transportation demand management (TDM) strategies in new large projects.
- Improving erosion and sediment control for new projects;
- Developing a Sea Level Rise Strategy;
- Developing “… a strategy and adopt the BC Energy Step Code in advance of the provincial timeline;”
- Revising “… the City’s Sustainability Report Card to include performance measures to reduce operational and embodied GHG emissions and climate risks;”
- Establishing “… a green buildings rezoning policy for development applications;”
- Developing a resilient, zero-emissions plan for all new buildings that also addresses indoor air quality and climate risks;
- Exploring “… the feasibility of creating a renewable energy hub where the City could generate or partner with organizations to produce renewable energy, and use this energy to power buildings and equipment;”
- Establishing a Zero-Emissions Mobility Strategy; and
- Improve waste reduction/management.
UDI will be seeking consultation opportunities with Port Moody regarding several actions in the draft Climate Action Plan. It is anticipated that the Council will be asked to endorse the Plan in June, and then staff will develop a funding and implementation plan, which should be ready by the Fall.
May 1, 2020
See here for City of Port Moody COVID 19 updates
May 01 Penalty for unpaid property taxes delayed to ease burden on Port Moody taxpayers during COVID-19 https://www.portmoody.ca/en/news/penalty-for-unpaid-property-taxes-delayed-to-ease-burden-on-port-moody-taxpayers-during-covid-19.aspx
April 23rd Port Moody reduces tax rate increase to 1.61% to ease burden on taxpayers during COVID-19 pandemic https://www.portmoody.ca/en/news/port-moody-reduces-tax-rate-increase-to-1-61-to-ease-burden-on-taxpayers-during-covid-19-pandemic.aspx
April 7, 2020
StepWin Pilot
Port Moody has partnered with StepWin to improve access to energy modelling software to help builders meet Energy Step Code requirements. Builders can receive free access to this software for a limited time. If you have tried the software and have feedback, please contact lsampliner@portmoody.ca. And if you have any questions regarding StepWin, please connect with the software creator directly at arman@lambda.science.
Port Moody Airtightness Rebate
Port Moody is currently offering a rebate, funded by BC Hydro, for mid-construction air tightness tests for Part 9 buildings.
There are two streams for rebate applications:
- new Part 9 construction nearing the mid-construction (pre-drywall) inspection stage; and
- existing Part 9 buildings, including a variety of existing Part 9 archetypes that are at the final inspection stage or have achieved occupancy within the last 12 months of the rebate application date.
Want to know if your project is eligible? Check out the City’s Energy Step Code web page under “Incentives” to learn more.
March 25, 2020
See here for Port Moody News releases
March 20th Port Moody extends utility bill deadline: https://www.portmoody.ca/en/news/port-moody-extends-utility-bill-deadline.aspx
March 18th COVID-19 update #2: Port Moody to suspend walk-in service at City Hall to protect the public & staff https://www.portmoody.ca/en/news/covid-19-update-2-port-moody-to-suspend-walk-in-service-at-city-hall-to-protect-the-public-staff.aspx
January 14, 2020
New Development Cost Charges Bylaw Adoption
City of Port Moody’s new Development Cost Charges Bylaw is being considered for adoption by City Council on January 14, 2020. If adopted, the bylaw will be in effect immediately. Please note, the City will provide all information relating to the transition and grace period for instream and potential applicants through the City’s website.
August 19, 2019
UPDATED: DCC Bylaw Update
Following the proposed changes to the DCC Bylaw, UDI and HAVAN have submitted a joint letter to the Provincial Inspector of Municipalities, with concerns regarding the submission of proposed DCC rates for approval, prior to the completion of a Parkland Acquisition Strategy.
August 6, 2019
DCC Bylaw Update
On July 23, the Proposed Development Cost Charges Bylaw received and passed third reading and will now be forwarded to the Province for approval to adopt. See here for the Proposed DCC Bylaw. See here for the report to council. UDI and HAVAN wrote a joint letter for consideration of council on the proposed changes; specifically outlining issues with the Park DCC Program, phasing and waiver application.
Energy Step Code Implementation
On July 9, Council accepted city staff’s proposed early adoption strategy for the Energy Step Code. Staff will be reporting back to Council in fall 2019 with Building bylaw amendments to support proposed early adoption strategy. See here for the report to Council.
July 22, 2019
Moody Centre Transit-Oriented Development Plan
On July 16, Port Moody Council deferred the motion presented by Councillor Madsen to reorient the existing Moody Centre TOD Plan towards job creation. The report, prepared by Councillor Madsen entitled, “More than a Bedroom Community!” proposed a new vision for the area around Moody Centre Station anchored by a post-secondary campus and high-tech hub. Following debate, Council decided to defer any further action on this report until the work of a consortium of builders, landowners and TransLink in consultation with City staff is completed.
July 8, 2019
UPDATED: DCC Bylaw Changes
Port Moody DCC Increases: City staff recently hosted an information session on June 26 that reviewed the recommended DCC increases that are to come into effect on November 4, 2019. See here for the handout and presentation from the session. The draft DCC Bylaw is scheduled for third reading at the Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, July 23, 2019. UDI will be writing a joint letter with HAVAN to City Council prior to July 23 to outline outstanding challenges with the increases. If you would like to contribute to the letter, please contact Marissa Chan-Kent.
Energy Step Code (ESC)
On July 9, Port Moody Council will be considering a report from staff recommending early adoption of the BC Energy Step Code that will come into effect on September 1, 2019 for rezonings and on January 1, 2020 for all other applications (please see the staff report for the proposed instream protections for applications in process).
After consultations with the building sector earlier this year, staff are proposing a similar approach to some other Metro Vancouver municipalities. Part 9 rezonings will have to achieve step 3 of the ESC, while Part 3 rezonings will have two options:
- “Pathway 1 – Meet Step 3 of the Energy Step Code; or
- Pathway 2 – Meet Step 2 of the Energy Step Code, with implementation of a low carbon energy system and a greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) limit of 6kg/m2/year.”
The proposed requirements for all other applications are noted below.
June 24, 2019
DCC Information Session
The City of Port Moody is updating their DCC Bylaw to reflect the infrastructure requirements of new development. This information session will include an overview of the recommended DCC rates, planned implementation dates, and transition processes. A staff presentation will be followed by a Q&A period.
The first session at 3:30pm is aimed at residential, industrial, institutional and commercial developers, planners, and builders, as well as members of the Urban Development Institute (UDI) and the Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN). The second session at 6:00 pm includes an educational component and is best suited for the general public and those considering developing small lots.
Date: Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Time: 3:30pm-5pm or 6-7:30pm
Location: Port Moody City Hall, 100 Newport Drive | Parkview Room (2nd Floor)
Please let the city know if you’re planning to attend — RSVP.
April 29, 2019
UPDATED: Port Moody DCC Increases
Following City Council’s recent decision on March 19 to substantially increase the DCC program, UDI and HAVAN staff met with city staff on April 23 to discuss these new rates that were not presented to industry at previous consultation meetings. See here for meeting materials. City staff plan to return to Council on May 14 to deliberate on the extent of waivers and reductions for not-for-profit rental housing, supportive housing, for-profit affordable rental housing, developments that are designed to result in low environmental impact, and small subdivisions designed to result in low greenhouse gas emissions. At this presentation, city staff will also be requesting to hold a Public Information Session on June 12. There will be a dedicated time slot for builders, details will be confirmed following the Council meeting. UDI will be writing a letter to submit to Council prior to May 14. If you are active in Port Moody and would like to be included in the review of the letter, please contact Marissa Chan-Kent.
April 16, 2019
UPDATED: Port Moody DCC Open House will not be held for April 24
As noted in previous newsletters, Port Moody was planning on holding an Open House to discuss the new DCC rate increases. This Open House was not approved by Council and therefore will not be held on April 24 as previously mentioned. UDI will be meeting with Port Moody city staff in the coming weeks to discuss waiver exemptions and the DCC increases. It is expected that city staff will return to Council on May 14 to provide a report on waiver exemptions and request a formal consultation period for the rate increases, of which UDI will participate once confirmed. If you have any questions, please contact Marissa Chan-Kent or at 604.661.3033.
April 1, 2019
UPDATED: Port Moody DCC increases exceed originally proposed rates
As noted in previous newsletters, Port Moody has been reviewing its DCCs since 2016. The consultations with industry have been extensive (please see the October 24, 2016 joint UDI and HAVAN response to the City’s DCC proposal). However, at a March 19, 2019 presentation to Council, City staff outlined a substantial increase in the parks component of the DCC program, so the estimated charges are doubling for some Land Use Designations (which are also changing).
These are the original proposed DCC rates:
These are the new proposed rates (and land use categories):
UDI is very concerned about the City dramatically increasing the DCC rates this late in the consultation process with little notice being provided to industry. We note the parks component represents well over 80% of the new rates. The City will be communicating the new DCC rates to industry and the public at an April 24 Open House. UDI will be participating in the Open House and will share further details regarding the event when they are available. If you have any questions, please contact Marissa Chan-Kent at 604.661.3033.
March 4, 2019
Council Decides NOT to Pursue Rental Only Zoning on Four Properties
UDI is commending Port Moody Mayor and Council for their decision NOT to pursue rental only zoning for 3370 Dewdney Trunk Road, 3131-3137 St. Johns Street, 125 Moray Street, and 1030 Cecile Drive. Council rightly noted during its deliberations, while the use of the B.C. Government’s new rental only tenure on these properties was explored with the best of intentions, further due diligence by Port Moody staff demonstrated that layering this new policy on these properties likely would have resulted in financing complications and unintended consequences. UDI continues to be concerned that this new power may be used by some local governments to arbitrarily downzone properties without compensation and due consideration. We applaud Mayor and Council for taking a cautious approach when considering the use of this new policy tool and we have extended an offer to collaborate on ways to facilitate the creation of new affordable rental homes in Port Moody.
November 26, 2018
DCC Rate Increases
The City of Port Moody has proposed increases to their DCC rates. These proposed changes come after extensive consultation, which began in 2016, at which time UDI submitted a joint feedback letter with GVHBA. Below are the new rates proposed by the City of Port Moody. Included here is a new project list that the DCCs will apply to. City staff anticipate to take the proposed new bylaw to council on December 4 for third reading.
Based on the engineering assessment of infrastructure, DCC rates were determined by generally dividing the net capital infrastructure costs attributed to new development over a 10-year period, by the corresponding number of projected development units (or area) that will be developed in the same time period. The DCC considerations do not apply to the Moody Center and Inlet Centre areas of Port Moody, as Bylaw 2020, 1990 establishes development levies based on the unique servicing and amenity requirements associated with these areas.
See below for proposed DCC rates:
