Pitt Meadows has started planning at the airport separate from Maple Ridge, which co-owns the facility.
To Pitt Meadows Coun. Bill Dingwall, that’s a mistake.
But Pitt Meadows Mayor John Becker maintains that land-use decisions belong to his council, while the two cities are partners only in aviation functions.
Pitt Meadows council has asked staff to prepare a draft concept zoning plan to consider commercial waterfront uses, small scale warehousing, accomodations, special events and even RV parking at the airport.
There are currently 28 active businesses at the airport, said a report from city staff.
Dingwall said he was suprised to see the item on the agenda, given the past relationship between the airport partners – Pitt Meadows asked Maple Ridge. The latter was previously asked to walk away from the airport society and operating the facility, but Maple Ridge council refused.
“For a year and a half, we’ve been dealing with our other society member, Maple Ridge, and trying to sort things out with them from a governance persepective, and we’re not there,” said Dingwall.
There is no full-time airport board in place yet, he added, and there should be a “visioning” exercise for the airport that involves Maple Ridge.
“They’re part owners, as are we,” said Dingwall, stressing that the relationship with Maple Ridge should be considered.
“Build the relationship, and then talk about what should happen down at the airport.”
He noted that council is now talking about more warehouses in South Bonson, while area residents are actively campaigning against the third and fourth phases of Onni’s Golden Ears Business Park.
“It’s like pouring gas on a fire,” he said.
But Coun. Bruce Bell said council is only looking at a draft concept zoning plan.
“I think Maple Ridge will be thanking us for doing some of the homework,” Bell said.
“I know that Maple Ridge is keen on development at the Pitt Meadows airport. They talk about it all the time.”
Coun. Tracy Miyashita agreed Pitt Meadows can come up with a concept plan “that we may tweak.”
Becker said there is an interim airport board in place, and he considers the governance issue already “put to bed”
He added that the door is open to Maple Ridge to be involved, but Pitt Meadows need not show them any deference.
Becker later explained there are numerous potential businesses that are not aviation-related for Pitt Meadows council to consider, from exotic cars to waterfront restaurants.
He said the two cities are partners in the aviation functions of the airport, and over aviation-related businesses, but other land-use decisions should be made by Pitt Meadows alone.
Maple Ridge Coun. Bob Masse, one of the directors on the interim airport board, said he’s OK with Pitt Meadows doing the planning. “I don’t think we’re in any way going to dispute that.
However, business decisions about the airport, should be left up to the board, he added.
“We don’t determine zoning in the City of Pitt Meadows. It is a property in Pitt Meadows.”