Tag Archives: Port Moody

Housing

Number of Tri-Cities properties cashing in on short-term rentals spikes 45% in year

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Editor’s note: To what extent are we looking at a province wide trend? Is this spike happening in our area, or is it a more urban phenomenon?

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

The number of landowners in the Tri-Cities using their properties for short-term rentals spiked 45 percent in one year. 

In August, sites like Airbnb and Vrbo posted 807 active listings for Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, according to data provided by AirDNA, a market research provider.

That’s up from 446 total listings in August 2022. Despite the number of active listings being halved during the COVID-19 pandemic, overall rental growth still jumped 35 percent since 2018.

Continue reading Number of Tri-Cities properties cashing in on short-term rentals spikes 45% in year →
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 →
Energy, Environment

Suncor Energy accidentally released 700 kilograms of propane at Port Moody terminal, prompting compliance letter

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

Suncor Energy’s terminal in Port Moody has been issued an advisory by the province after 700 kilograms of propane was released into the environment.

The oil company’s upper Burrard Terminal is located in the Glenayre neighbourhood and used as a product distribution facility. 

On Dec. 15, 2022, human error led to the release of the propane, but the company did not report the incident until Jan. 24.

Continue reading Suncor Energy accidentally released 700 kilograms of propane at Port Moody terminal, prompting compliance letter →
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 →
Health

110 purple flags will fly along Tri-Cities routes on Friday to mark 7th anniversary of B.C.’s toxic drug emergency

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

On Friday April 14, commuters travelling along the Tri-Cities’ arterial routes counted 110 purple flags – one flag for every 100 people killed by toxic drugs since a public health crisis was announced.

Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody all granted the TriCities Overdose Community Action Team (TCCAT) a highway use permit to display the public art message meant to lessen the stigma around opioid addiction. 

Continue reading 110 purple flags will fly along Tri-Cities routes on Friday to mark 7th anniversary of B.C.’s toxic drug emergency →