Port Moody is preparing to host one last public event for feedback on its draft Official Community Plan (OCP) before the bylaw goes to its first reading in September.
The event will be a hybrid-style town hall meeting, where residents can either join in person or online to share their views directly with council members. This decision came after a council debate on how best to include final community input before moving forward.
A proposal by one councillor had called for a more traditional format. This would have involved council seated on a stage, an open mic for residents, a livestream, and printed invitations sent to all households. However, the proposal was voted down by council 4-2.
Instead, a revised motion brought forward by the mayor received full support. The chosen format will be a more flexible meeting where people can share opinions without the pressure of a formal public hearing setup.
Mayor Meghan Lahti explained that this event will serve as an opportunity for council to listen, not debate. She emphasized that while council members can answer specific questions, the primary goal is to gather feedback.
“It’s important that people feel safe and comfortable expressing themselves,” said the mayor. “This isn’t about having a back-and-forth. It’s about listening.”
The new meeting will be classified as a special committee meeting and will not be formally recorded or staffed. It is designed to give council members direct exposure to public feedback and help guide their decisions before voting on the OCP.
This town hall follows previous engagement efforts that have taken various forms. Past events included interactive boards, concept reviews, and discussions. Still, some councillors and residents believe more can be done to ensure feedback is reflected in the final version.
Councillor Haven Lurbiecki had pushed for a more open and traditional town hall format, arguing that the public deserves one final unrestricted chance to speak on the issue. She noted a previous survey with over 1,000 participants had shown concerns about overdevelopment, while more recent sessions drew fewer than 50 people.
She also expressed concern that earlier feedback might be overlooked in the final draft.
Other councillors agreed on the need for further engagement but did not support Lurbiecki’s exact format. Councillor Kyla Knowles pointed out that city staff had already conducted what she described as a “robust and detailed” engagement process, including hands-on sessions and detailed presentations.
“We shouldn’t restart everything because one councillor believes the outcome might change if we do it differently,” Knowles said.
She recommended setting guidelines for the discussion to ensure it remains focused on the OCP’s content.
Councillor Amy Lubik supported the hybrid format and suggested using council’s contingency fund to reduce costs. She also proposed offering light refreshments to create a more welcoming space. Lubik emphasized the need to draw a more diverse group of participants.
Councillor Diana Dilworth highlighted that the city has already held 17 engagement events and collected more than 4,000 pieces of individual feedback. She described each as part of a larger puzzle, all playing a role in shaping the final plan.
While Mayor Lahti supports the new meeting, she noted it could affect the city’s timeline. The province set a December deadline for municipalities to adopt their updated OCPs.
“I think the province will understand,” she said. “We’re probably not the only city that might miss the finish line.”
The updated OCP draft was presented to council earlier in the same meeting. It is expected to go through its first and second readings in September, with a formal public hearing likely in October.
Details about the final town hall, including date, location, and participation options, will be posted soon on the city’s Engage Port Moody website and social media pages.
