Port Coquitlam's mayor says he will force a council revote on rejected daycare proposal
Brad West wants councillors reconsider their Oct. 10 vote on zoning for a child-care facility
The mayor of Port Coquitlam, B.C., said he plans to force councillors to reconsider their recent vote against rezoning a residential address to house a proposed daycare centre.
Mayor Brad West — who was out of the country on official business when the Oct. 10 vote took place — said he will use his authority under the province's community charter to overrule city council and force a new vote.
"I've opted to use that authority that's granted to me as mayor to put this matter before city council again," West told CBC News in an interview Friday. "Child care is very important to any community."
The child-care facility, proposed for 1948 Grant Ave., would have spaces for up to 65 children in the city of roughly 60,000 residents, east of Vancouver.
Amar Kallu, the founder of the child-care company behind the proposal, was not immediately available for comment.
But most councillors voted not to rezone the property after nine residents spoke against the proposal at a public hearing earlier this month.
WATCH | How nine people stopped a new child-care centre:
Their concerns included increased traffic and noise, reduced property values, and even dangers posed by bears.
"Some of them I thought were quite absurd, to be direct about it," West said. "There are also some legitimate concerns around how the child-care centre would fit into the neighbourhood.
"But … I don't believe those are obstacles that can't be overcome."
According to the community charter, a mayor may require councillors to "reconsider and vote again" on any matter they previously decided within the previous 30 days. It's a mayoral power which can only be exercised once on that matter.
The legislation applies to all municipalities in the province, except Vancouver, according to the B.C. government.
West said at the time of the vote, he was in Australia representing the Metro Vancouver district at a conference for municipalities.
The child-care proposal was rejected by five of the six councillors after the public hearing was held.
"When that many people come together, I'm going to listen to them," Coun. Nancy McCurrach said at the Oct. 10 meeting. "So I won't be supporting this."
At the time, Kallu said he was surprised by the vote, but would work with the city to find an alternative site.
Mayor West instead suggested that council could ask city staff to work with the applicant to address concerns.
"I think that step was missed in this," West said.
With files from Chad Pawson, Justin McElroy and David P. Ball.