An ambitious on-again, off-again, on-again proposal to redevelop the old Andrés Wine property in Port Moody could achieve final approval on Tuesday (July 25).
That's when council will consider fourth reading of amendments to the city's zoning and official community plan bylaws that would allow the project by Andrew Peller Ltd. to proceed, along with the approval of development permits for construction of the first of its two phases.
The Westport Village project would dramatically change Port Moody's western gateway by transforming the five-acre industrial property at the corner of Clarke Street and the Barnet Highway into a mixed-use urban neighbourhood.
It will include:
- strata, rental and seniors housing in three towers up to 31 storeys
- a new arts centre and theatre
- live-work studios for artists
- a public plaza
- retail, office and medical spaces
- a grocery store
- a possible hotel
As well, the developer plans to rehabilitate a portion of South Schoolhouse Creek that runs next to the property and transfer it to the city, relocate a section of the Trans Canada Trail and construct a new trail along the creek.
But a proposal to operate a shuttle bus connecting the new neighbourhood to the Moody Centre SkyTrain station has proved too complex, according to a staff report.
Instead, the developer will make a cash contribution of $1.12 million to the city to be put towards improvement to cycling and pedestrian routes connecting to the station.
"The implementation of these pedestrian and cycling improvements will also benefit the broader community," said Wesley Woo, Port Moody senior planner.
The redevelopment plan for the property has been in the works since 2005, when Peller closed the winery it operated at the site since 1961.
However the project, that was widely endorsed by council in 2019 when it granted third reading for the necessary amendments, appeared to go off the rails last July after a tie vote denied a request by the developer for a year’s extension to the three-year limit between third and fourth readings.
A subsequent effort a week later to have the decision reconsidered also failed at council. But following a legal opinion from the city’s lawyers, the request returned to council a week after that where it was approved by a majority of councillors.
Peller CEO, John Peller, said his company is "absolutely" resolved to "get this project done."
He said the development will be legacy of the winery’s long history in Port Moody.
"We're doing something for generations to come."
