Burnaby, BC – By a unanimous vote at the March 20, 2023 Special Meeting, City Council has cancelled the Alternative Approval Process to consider removal of the park dedication for a portion of parkland at 4800 Riverbend Drive which was intended for construction of a Green Recycling and Organics (GRO) facility.
“I’m pleased that City Council spoke with one voice in recognition that the public does not support the use of parkland for this project,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “Despite the fact GRO could deliver significant carbon reductions and allow Burnaby to process its own organic materials, the public did not support the trade-offs required to achieve it. We’ll continue to explore other locations for this project and will also continue to seek other ways to make rapid progress on climate. We know big, bold moves are needed to achieve our climate action targets. I look forward to hearing more from residents about what they’re prepared to do to and the trade-offs they’re prepared to make to get us there.”
At its February 27 meeting, City Council approved an Alternative Approval Process (AAP), asking whether electors oppose the adoption of Burnaby Park Dedication Removal Bylaw 2023 to remove the park dedication for a portion of undeveloped park land at 4800 Riverbend Drive proposed to be used for the Green Recycling and Organics (GRO) facility.
Today’s vote was initiated on March 16, when Mayor Mike Hurley called a special meeting of City Council to be held on March 20 with the subject “Reconsideration of the Alternative Approval Process.” At the special meeting, City Council voted to support the reconsideration. Council was then asked to revote on the original February 27, 2023, decision that initiated the AAP. The revote was opposed unanimously by City Council, cancelling the AAP. Legislative Services staff will be issuing cancellation notices of the AAP to the public as soon as practicable.
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