Transformative Anmore project takes small, significant step forward

Despite strong objections from many residents, Anmore Village council voted Tuesday to advance a project that – if ultimately approved – would reshape 152 acres of the community.

“This is, by far, one of the most important decisions Anmore will ever make,” cautioned resident Ray Houle.

Developer Icona Properties has proposed approximately 3,300 new homes spread over the southwestern portion of the village and built over about 25 years.

Tuesday’s 4-1 council vote represents the first step in a process slated to include a public hearing and a subsequent council vote on amending the village’s Official Community Plan, clearing the way for a formal development application.

There is no way to allow access for thousands of new residents, “Without impacting every single resident in a negative way, especially in regards to traffic,” Houle said, suggesting it was “outrageous” to move forward without a referendum.

While many speakers spoke against the project, Tim Laidler offered his support.

Laidler said his time serving in Canada’s armed forces took him out of the housing market. House prices in Anmore, which regularly range between $1.3 and $4 million, also make it impossible to raise a family in town.

“It’s about the money. We can’t afford that,” he said. “We need another option.”

Resident Karl Jovanovic was skeptical Icona’s project would include modestly-priced housing.

“Affordability? Please,” he responded, noting his house doubled in value. “Affordability is not going to happen with this new project.”

The lands are currently considered “hillside residential,” with a limit of approximately 1.5 lots per acre.

Icona Properties’ proposal consists of single-family houses, duplexes, multi-family townhomes, mid-rise apartments, as well as apartments perched over ground floor commercial units.

An estimated 15 percent of the new units would be rentals, and about 20 percent of those rentals – or three percent of the total – would be below market, according to a village staff report.

Many residents expressed concern at losing the pastoral community and its lush forest.

“This is paradise,” Harriette Chang told council. “I don’t want it to change. And maybe I’m selfish, but I’m thinking about my children and their children.”

Approximately 40 percent of the forested area would be preserved and 47 percent of the new neighbourhood would consist of: “parks, greenways and natural areas,” according to a city staff report.

From council

Despite moving the process forward, several councillors suggested they might ultimately reject the OCP change. The lone voice against the process on Tuesday was Coun. Doug Richardson, who said any discussion about changing the OCP could be conducted without the involvement of a developer.

“I’m a bit worried that the tail is now wagging the dog,” he said. “I hope we can get back to where we’re the dog.”

Richardson and Mayor John McEwen differed on the influence of senior levels of government. McEwen advised his colleagues that both the provincial and federal governments are demanding municipalities supply more housing.

Richardson pushed back on that notion, explaining that Anmore currently has 368 units in various stages of development.

“That’s way beyond anything that the province requires,” he said.

Anmore needs a way to pay for some core services, McEwen said.

“We need to get our own water supply because right now we’re paying about $150,000 a year through Port Moody.”

The province wants municipalities to pay for water, sewer and drainage, the mayor added.

“We couldn’t do that,” he said. “We have a developer here that will pay for them.”

The land will get developed one way or another, McEwen said. However, pursuing the process will allow the village to hire planners and consultants at the developer’s expense.

Like any other landowner, Icona Properties deserves a fair hearing, said Coun. Kim Trowbridge, explaining it would be “short-sighted and narrow-minded,” not to at least advance the process to get more information.

“My mind’s not made up,” Trowbridge said. “I don’t think we can abdicate our responsibility of being part of a greater community.”

Coun. Paul Weverink concurred.

“If Anmore was . . . 10 miles out of Hope, B.C., I don’t think we’d be having this discussion,” he said. “But our Anmore border is now eight minutes from a SkyTrain station.”

About 26 years ago, someone could buy an acre in Anmore for $220,000, he said.

“The housing crisis has only gotten worse,” he said, adding that the village needed to explore different options.

Tuesday’s vote is the beginning of a long conversation, according to Coun. Polly Krier.

“We’re at the 20,000-plus foot level. There is a lot more to discuss,” she said.

Council voted to support first reading 4-1 with Richardson opposed.