Platform

Our city is about to experience the biggest change in its history as we introduce the Evergreen Line – and this change needs to be managed responsibly.

In addition to the Evergreen Line, there are a number of topics: the rate of taxes, traffic congestion, the new fire hall, public safety, development, densification, affordable housing, revitalization, environmental protection and promotion of the arts and recreation.

Many of these topics extend beyond our municipality and cannot be addressed in isolation.

I believe what we need is a defined vision for Port Moody. What do we want to look like? What do we want to feel like? What do we want to be known for?  To create this kind of vision, we need a truly collaborative effort.  This involves an all-inclusive collaboration including our surrounding municipalities, the province, TransLink, businesses, land owners, developers, planners, community groups and very importantly, the individual residents.

I believe that strengthening relations with our neighbours and other levels of government through meetings and discussions in a more positive manner is paramount in moving forward. I believe that bringing a fresh new mix of people to Council will facilitate this initiative.

What do we all want? More or less, I think we all strive for balance – balance that supports culture, recreation, economic development and protective services. We want to reside in a liveable community. We want to uphold our quality of life. We want to feel safe. We want traffic to flow. We want to demonstrate leadership on environmental issues. We want to preserve and protect our history, heritage, character and charm.

I fully embrace the Community Sustainability Plan that Port Moody has created which is full of innovative ideas for building and promoting a sustainable community.

How is sustainability defined?  In Port Moody, sustainability means we are working to allow future generations to reach their potential by defining how we live today. Port Moody also supports the Gro Harlem Bruntland, 1987, sustainability definition: “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

I would like to share some of my specific thoughts and initiatives that I support or would like to investigate:

Taxes / Development

 -encourage a range of land uses that support a diversified tax base

-attract businesses to broaden our tax base

-lobby against the port properties tax cap

-explore alternative housing options within established neighbourhoods and in consultation with neighbouring residents

-offer developers incentives for preserving or increasing the amount of green space in developments

-achieve compact/complete neighbourhoods with mixed use zoning through land use design as per the OCP

-incorporate smart growth for future residential developments: a mixture of homes, retail, and community space

-create a long term plan for our outstanding capital projects including: the Library, the Hospital, and Barnet Landfill remediation

-create a business continuity plan

-investigate property tax credits for use of alternative energy

-investigate options for the Legion property

-as part of the long term defined vision for Port Moody, investigate options for our Waterfront

-Waterfront possibilities include: Granville Island type atmosphere, artisan community, markets, boutique hotel

-review the Waterfront and Area Economic Visioning Study from 2003

-as part of the long term defined vision for Port Moody, investigate options for the IOCO lands and heritage site

Energy / Environment

-reduce the solid waste disposal stream through enhanced composting

-reduce packaging waste

-identify opportunities for grey water and rainwater recycling

-encourage green roof technology for private development applications

-increase water conservation in City facilities and parks and residential developments by mandating low flow devices

-investigate alternate energy sources

-increase the use of geothermal technology

-increase energy efficiency of buildings in Port Moody

-promote green building technologies

-promote the creation of a regional recycling centre

Transit / Traffic / Evergreen Line

 -build the Evergreen Line responsibly and ensure the public is informed throughout the construction

-minimize the impact on businesses, residents and traffic in the area during Evergreen Line construction

-incorporate the defined vision for Port Moody with regards to the development around the Evergreen Line

-be proactive not reactive to development opportunities in Moody Centre

-promote the use of the Evergreen Line

-ensure adequate transit connections to the Evergreen Line stations

-ensure adequate parking is available at or near the Evergreen Line stations

-in collaboration with the required authorities, develop a regional traffic plan

-update the Master Transportation Plan

-support effort to shift focus from automobiles to transit

-encourage TransLink to provide more frequent service to Port Moody’s neighbourhoods

-enhance opportunities for pedestrians and cycling movement

-develop and implement a Cycling Master Plan with cycling infrastructure targets, timeframes and budgets

-complete the visioning process for the Murray/Clarke area

Arts / Recreation /Tourism

 -increase public art installations

-propose a movement towards requiring public art as part of all new developments

-review and update the Public Art Policy and the Public Visual Art Master Plan

-continue to ensure local artists have opportunities to compete for public art installation, programs and events

-encourage coffee shops, banks, and retailers to display visual/exhibited art and incorporate performance art in their establishments

-encourage the private sector to sponsor cultural events that bring revenue and business opportunities into the community

-promote hosting art conferences and symposiums

-promote the City’s centenary in 2013 and celebrate the arts and honour the City’s history and heritage

-initiate the process for updating the Parks and Recreation Master Plan

-promote Port Moody as a tourist destination for Arts and Recreation

Kirchner, Dan