The City of Pitt Meadows is well behind the pace of new housing construction that was set by the province, netting just six new units in six months.
The province set the city’s target at 109 new units in the first year.
City councillors expressed frustration with the process, as they reviewed a six-month report that’s going to the province.
“We told them, we pleaded our case, that we can’t control the market, we can’t control all the things going on right now…” said Coun. Alison Evans.
She noted the city has not turned down any permits in the past six months.
“I just don’t think it’s Pitt Meadows the city, this council, standing in the way of housing at this time,” added Evans.
“Exactly,” agreed mayor Nicole MacDonald.
“The market conditions just aren’t good. The economic climate is making it prohibitive,” said Coun. Bob Meachen. “I think we’ve done everything we can do.”
“The soul is willing, but the flesh is weak. There’s only so much we can do.”
On Aug. 18, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs set a housing target of 727 new units over five years, ending on Aug. 31, 2030. This means net-new units – the number of occupancy permits less the number of demolition permits.
The city has approximately 7,400 households, and 22,000 population now.
If the city doesn’t hit the annual targets for new housing, the province can appoint an independent advisor, and issue directives. The province has the authority to enact bylaws and issue permits.
Pitt Meadows is off to a stumbling start. It issued 10 new occupancy permits, and four demolition permits, for a net of six new residences. Five of the new units are rental secondary suites, and five are owned units.
The city is required to give the province progress reports twice per year for the first year, and annual reports thereafter.
“If a community is not on track to achieve the target number, they are also required to provide information on actions the municipality will take towards meeting the housing target within the two-year period following the report…” council heard from staff.
City hall maintains there are many local constraints impacting the potential for new housing in Pitt Meadows, that are outside the city’s control. These include market conditions, federal aeronautical building height restrictions, shallow groundwater, and being surrounded by protected farmland.
The city asked for a “more appropriate, realistic target,” but was rebuffed.
Pitt Meadows reports a steady decline in the development of new housing units since the mid-2000s, from 752 new housing units between the 2001 and 2006 Census, to 210 new housing units between the 2016 and 2021 Census.
The city said it has tried to speed development applications, reviewed how much it charges developers, written a new 2026-2028 Housing Action Plan, worked with Metro Vancouver on the development of 115 new units at Heron’s Nest – to be completed in 2027, and other measures.
MacDonald characterized this report as an “I told you so” moment for the city, and said staff has worked on the target.
“The amount of staff resources and costs that have gone into that is extremely frustrating,” she said. “And now you’re at a net six. I would argue without this legislation we’d be that or more.”
The next progress report is due in the fall.