Tag Archives: Meghan Lahti

Energy

Port Moody joins calls for TMX to develop ‘credible plan’ in case of oil spill in Burrard Inlet

By Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Port Moody is joining calls for Trans Mountain Pipeline (TMX) to develop a detailed plan in case of an oil spill at the Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby.

TMX is consulting with stakeholders regarding the decommissioning of the old 60-year-old pier, which has been replaced with a three-berth expansion, which will allow a seven-fold minimum increase in tanker traffic in the Burrard Inlet.

Continue reading Port Moody joins calls for TMX to develop ‘credible plan’ in case of oil spill in Burrard Inlet →
Housing

Affordable units cut from 6-storey Port Moody development that would relocate heritage building

Editor’s note: A disturbing story highlighting a problem that needs to be watched.

By Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Affordable housing has been cut from a development proposal seeking to build a pair of six-storey mixed-use buildings in Port Moody’s historic downtown area.

Fourteen units out of 184 total were initially proposed as below-market rentals for the 10-lot development on the 2400-block of Clarke Street.

During early input in January, Port Moody city staff recommended five more affordable units be included, as the application had less than half the 15 percent requirement for density bonusing.

But the developer, Placemaker Communities, now says inflationary impacts on construction costs and rising interest rates related to project financing have made any below-market units financially unfeasible.

Continue reading Affordable units cut from 6-storey Port Moody development that would relocate heritage building →
Health, Politics

Port Moody to explore training city’s frontline staff on use of naloxone kits

By Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Port Moody’s frontline staff may soon receive training with naloxone kits to help save people suffering from a lethal dose of drugs. 

Following the 7th anniversary of the provincial declaration of the public health crisis in April, Port Moody councillors vowed to take more action. 

Continue reading Port Moody to explore training city’s frontline staff on use of naloxone kits →
Politics

Concerns raised over Port Moody’s move to stop recording and archiving land use committee meetings

Editor’s note: While this story comes from the Lower Mainland, government transparency and accountability is an important issue everywhere. Other governments could follow the city of Port Moody’s example.

By Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The City of Port Moody has stopped recording and archiving the meetings of its land use committee (LUC), removing a long-time record keeping feature.

The public has been able to review LUC meetings since 2015, when the committee was permanently moved to council chambers.

Coun. Haven Lurbiecki spoke out against the decision on April 25, criticizing the lack of public notice or discussion.

Continue reading Concerns raised over Port Moody’s move to stop recording and archiving land use committee meetings →