New condo towers in the works for Port Coquitlam could vastly transform the city's skyline.
Only one tower has been constructed in the city in the last decade.
That could soon change as a proposal by Mosaic Homes makes its way through the city's council and planning department.
This week the city confirmed that it is reviewing a rezoning application for a large land assembly, including 3620, 3640, 3646 and 3650 Westwood St. and 3639 and 3643 Woodland Dr.
The proposal is for a 26-storey tower, a 28-storey high-rise plus 12,000 sq. ft. of retail facing on to Westwood Street, near several towers in Coquitlam and close to the Evergreen Extension of SkyTrain.
It has not yet been dealt with by council, but neighbours in the area, known as the Westwood/Woodland Park area, took part in a community consultation review in the fall.
The project is located in the middle of the city's newly created transit-oriented development area because it is within walking distance of Lincoln Station on the SkyTrain line in Coquitlam.
The site is currently home to several single-family homes, but the developer hopes the project will enhance the neighbourhood with shops, nearly 500 homes and a new road to extend Anson Avenue.
"By complying with the official plan and designing and delivering two buildings and 12,0000 square feet of commercial space, we think [this development proposal] will help activate and bring life to this neighbourhood and be an asset to the community," said Geoff Duyker, senior vice-president of marketing for Mosaic.
One unique aspect of the proposal is a plan to provide units for sale at a discounted price, to make them more affordable.
Duyker said he couldn't be specific about who would qualify and for how much of a discount because the details of the project are still being reviewed by the city.
However, he said he hoped the plan would provide a choice for people seeking an affordable home ownership option.
As well, he said the units would be kept at a discounted price relative to the market in "perpetuity."
Complimenting the city on its affordable housing policy, Duyker said the Mosaic proposal "is responding to what PoCo has set out in their affordable housing framework."
"Our goal is to provide designated affordable homes to own, we think that’s an important part of the affordable housing continuum."
The last condo tower built in Port Coquitlam was The Shaughnessy, located at 2789 Shaughnessy St., and completed by Onni in 2012.
