Worry that local businesses could be displaced by development prompts Port Moody to add new consultation requirement

As Port Moody develops, city council is concerned local businesses will be jettisoned as old spaces are replaced and redeveloped.

Couns. Samantha Agtarap and Callan Morrison introduced a motion, passing unanimously on Tuesday, Nov. 28, requesting the city’s manager of economic development work with stakeholders to ensure businesses are not displaced when development occurs.

Agtarap said many incoming developers have their sights on areas where existing businesses operate, and she wants collaboration and consultation before applications are submitted.

“I’m concerned that we could potentially lose businesses,” said Agtarap. “The goal really is to ensure that these conversations are happening early, allowing for some creative brainstorming.”

The motion specifically references developments at the Flavelle Mill site and Westport Village as areas which could be at risk of losing businesses.

Port Moody has many award-winning businesses, and the local business community is unique due to its diversity and lack of big box stores, according to the motion.

Although the lack of chain stores is partly due to extremely low vacancy rates for commercial and industrial space, the local identity is actually celebrated, according to the motion.

“I think a lot of our residents enjoy the fact that there are such unique businesses that carry products that are not found elsewhere in the Tri-Cities,” Morrison said.

Economic benefits such as local employment, charity, investment were all listed as reasons for safeguarding space for these operations, along with some environmental benefits from maintaining a local market.

The motion would require conversations to occur between businesses, developers and landowners around minimizing negative impacts and uncertainty, and updating the requirements into the city’s sustainability report card.

Agtarap said examples of these type of consultations exist in some master-planned communities, where developer have reserved space for businesses that are being displaced.

Morrison added there might be an opportunity to connect displaced businesses with other development projects occurring in Port Moody, potentially stopping any flight to other communities. 

Both Agtarap and Morrison operate small businesses in the Tri-Cities.

“We know the stresses of not knowing what’s going on with the future of our locations, the expense that comes along with moving to a different location, losing that clientele, losing that community around you,” Morrison said.

Coun. Kyla Knowles said she would like to see the initiative expanded. She said local artists were also at risk of being displaced, referencing redevelopments in Port Moody’s transit oriented development area and Kyle Centre.

The motion draws attention to a “critical issue,” said Coun. Haven Lurbiecki,.

She said she thinks it’s a good start, but more work will be needed to preserve industrial lands and grow the business community.

Lurbiecki said due to the scale of residential tower development, it is not realistic to think industrial businesses will be able to find suitable replacement space. 

The city’s industrial land strategy, economic development master plan and jobs-to-population targets need to be council’s focus, according to Lurbiecki.

Coun. Diana Dilworth said the city’s manager of economic development is already doing what the motion recommends, but noted its approval will emphasize council’s desire to assist with the coming changes.

She said prior to COVID-19, the city would host business breakfast roundtables, and suggested the city could start the practice again.

“Focusing on specific neighborhoods, you could bring in landowners that will be making changes and directly connect them with the businesses,” Dilworth said.