Environmental stewardship group opposes Anmore South development

[This article has been updated to clarify several points, following communication from the Village of Anmore.]

If approved, the Anmore South development could harm the ecology around Mossom Creek, according to the Burrard Inlet Marine Enhancement Society.

On Jan. 9, 2024, BIMES President Kevin Ryan published a letter addressed to the Village of Anmore’s mayor and council regarding Icona Properties’ proposed official community plan (OCP) amendment for the Anmore South lands

The amendment would change the land use designation for 152-acre area from rural to urban, allowing for the construction of approximately 3,300 homes over the next 25 years.

“If approved, this development will negatively impact the abundant wildlife, healthy riparian area and overall natural integrity of the area,” Ryan wrote.

On Dec. 5, 2023, Anmore’s council voted 4-1 to move the developer’s OCP amendment forward, requesting the designated land use be changed from rural to urban, despite opposition from many residents.

The Anmore South project has been contentious since engagement first began back in 2021 on changes the designation of the lands from rural to urban: there have been petitions, opposition groups, accusations of NIMBYism, corruption, disinformation, and even legal threats.

Concerns voiced by the opposition related to the loss of forested area, environmental degradation, community character, as well as increased traffic congestion along Ioco Road. Supporters emphasized the need for more affordable housing options, as well as the inevitability of some form of development in the village.

BIMES has been running the Mossom Creek Hatchery and Education Centre for 48 years, directly adjacent to Anmore South’s proposed development area.

The letter states they have a mandate to protect and preserve the local environment in Anmore and Port Moody, and are specifically focused on “stream to sea habitats” in the Mossom Creek watershed and lands to the west.

Ryan notes these lands include the Schoolhouse Creek North, one of the last intact watershed areas of its size in the region.

“This is in part due to over four decades of active stewardship by volunteers to maintain and restore the biodiversity of the area,” Ryan said. “BIMES is very concerned by the extent of development taking place in Metro Vancouver without due consideration for the preservation of contiguous high-quality wildlife habitat, the value of which is evident.”

Surveys conducted by BIMES in 2023 found 420 different species of flora and fauna in the Mosson Creek Watershed, including three vulnerable species.

If the Anmore South development is approved, 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 the Icona Properties’ plan.

Ryan said the OCP amendment could leave the Tri-Cities “bookended” with a development similar to Burke Mountain in Coquitlam.

He added the Anmore South lands are outside Metro Vancouver’s Urban Containment Boundary.

Anmore’s lack of densification, unlike other municipalities, is by design, according to Ryan. 

He said when Anmore was incorporated in 1987, the intention was to preserve a rural buffer between an urbanized Port Moody and the natural areas owned by Metro Vancouver

“We did not approve urbanization of the Anmore Valley in 1987 when Port Moody planned to add 15,000 residents to the area and similarly do not agree that the proposed urbanization will retain the rural nature of Anmore now,” Ryan said.

The letter contains an attachment with a list of questions related to the environmental preservation of the area, specifically related to trees and forests, protected green space, riparian areas, and stream keeping.

While BIMES specifically focused on direct ecological impacts from development, Ryan added further environmental consequences could occur from vehicle pollution and tree cutting.

The OCP amendment still needs to pass a final resolution by council, and a public hearing before, development is approved.

“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done first so that council and our community have a clear understanding of what it will mean for Anmore and to determine the policies we need in place,” said Therese Mickelson, a communications consultant working with the municipality.