New for development applications! City launches real-time GIS map and opens online submissions

The City is pleased to share the recent launch of two online development planning tools – a real-time GIS map, and a web-based application submission process. 

For the public, if you would like to know more about applications for development that are under review in Port Moody, you can visit the updated ‘current development applications’ GIS map. Staff now track development applications in a new database that is directly linked to the map. The map is automatically refreshed twice daily and will reflect any updated information that has been entered into the system. This significant improvement is both more efficient for staff and provides the public with real-time information on each project. In the map you can click a highlighted property to see a pop-up info box with a project description and link to the milestones, which track the stages of review completed to date. For those projects that are also posted on Engage Port Moody, our public engagement hub, a link is included in the project description. 

For applicants interested in developing property, you can now submit a development application online. With the new web-based submission process, applicants can more easily submit their application and required documentation together. Receiving development applications online, with digital file attachments, also benefits staff by creating a more efficient workflow for their review process.    

We know that development and growth are important topics for residents and recognize how important it is for information about development planning in our city to be easily accessible and transparent. Over the last year we’ve taken a number of steps to provide better online access to information about the development planning process, proposed developments in Port Moody, and related opportunities for public input. The launch of these most recent tools continues efforts that began in 2021 with a website update and an enhanced opportunity for providing online feedback. 

In the summer of 2021 staff completed a review and update of the development and planning section on the City’s website at portmoody.ca/development. Visitors can navigate through the section based on whether they want to submit a development application; give feedback on a proposed development project; or learn more about the City’s planning policies. The nearly 40 web pages in development and planning now provide more complete, up-to-date information in an online format that is easy to read and simple to click through. 

In September 2021 the City began posting significant development applications on Engage Port Moody, our online public engagement hub. This allows the public to more easily find information about and provide feedback on large-scale development proposals. As shown in the diagram below (click to enlarge), the typical review process for significant development applications includes careful consideration by City staff, stakeholders, and Council. As part of this process the public is invited to share their input. The feedback submitted on Engage Port Moody is provided to City Council to help inform their decisions about significant applications.

To learn more about development and planning please visit portmoody.ca/development. 

To see what development applications are open for public input on Engage Port Moody, please visit engage.portmoody.ca.