New Westminster is looking at requiring spaces where dogs can pee and poo for future condo buildings downtown.

On Monday (November 16), city council approved a staff recommendation to study if new high-density developments should have an area on-site where dogs can relieve themselves.

“I think it’s a creative idea, and I’m looking forward to hearing what kind of information comes back,” city councillor Chuck Puchmayr told the Georgia Straight in a phone interview the following day.

According to Puchmayr, developers often provide amenities, and a dog relief station could quite easily be one of these.

“We’re seeing such a high increase in the ownership of dogs, especially small dogs, and especially in our seniors population,” Puchmayr noted. “There’s been a real struggle with the fact that a lot of the seniors aren’t as mobile and are not able to get to the different dog-park locations.”

He also said developments near SkyTrain stations in the city require less parking for vehicles, which limits the ability of dog owners to take their pets to off-leash parks.

One such park is a temporary off-leash area downtown, on two properties at 824 Agnes and 813 Carnarvon streets, where residents may not be able to take their dogs in the near future. Half of the area is being eyed by the city as a new public park, and the other half, which is privately owned, is designated for condo development.

The park is located near New Westminster Station, where a new neighbourhood and commercial area have sprouted around the transit hub.

A staff report included in the November 16 council agenda suggested a strategy to replace the downtown off-leash area, which elected officials supported in principle.

“As the downtown neighbourhood continues to grow, there is increased pressure to develop a strategy that will serve current and future dog owners,” staff reported. The plan includes a one-year trial of a dog relief station downtown and the creation of a new off-leash area in nearby Simcoe Park.

“Due to the limited availability of land with grass in this area, it is suggested that the City create a small relief area or ‘station’ that will give local dog owners a place to take their dogs to relieve themselves that is within close proximity to residential building towers,” the staff report stated.

Staff also suggested that they report back to council on the implications of having on-site relief spaces in future high-density developments in the downtown area.

The city currently has seven off-leash parks, including the temporary site downtown.