The ship may have sailed for a proposed luxury seniors residence in Port Moody that promises its residents an ocean liner lifestyle.
According to a staff report to be presented to council on Tuesday, the 14-storey structure is too big for its location near the Kyle community centre and the proponents should look at moving it elsewhere or scaling it back.
The project, a partnership with local developer Dulex Laidler and Avenir Senior Living, is comprised of 100 full-service independent or assisted living rental units, 48 community or memory care units and 46 privately owned seniors condos.
Jason Craik, an Avenir principal, said the project’s 194 units will provide a continuum of care for Port Moody’s aging population as some residents will be able to progress from living totally independently to the other units as their needs change.
“It’s not just any condo building,” Craik told councillors during a presentation in July, adding many residents would be downsizing from family homes so they could afford the typical monthly price tag of $5,000 for one of the full-service rental units.
At the time, several councillors acknowledged Port Moody’s need for seniors housing, but some questioned whether the luxury project is a good fit for the city.
“We really need to focus on the low- and mid-income seniors,” said Coun. Haven Lurbiecki.
“When we look at our needs report, it’s in the lower income,” added Coun. Amy Lubik.
But Coun. Diana Dilworth said some seniors desire upscale housing options.
“There’s a spectrum of housing for seniors,” she said.
In the report, planning consultant Gary Penway acknowledged while there may be a need in Port Moody for luxury seniors housing, staff have several concerns, including:
- the building is too high and too dense for the neighbourhood, which is comprised mostly of single-family homes
- there’s no heritage characteristics in the design of the project, which is located in Port Moody’s designated heritage neighbourhood
- its location would limit future expansion of nearby Kyle Park
Penway said the proponents of the project, which was only just presented to council for early review less than three months ago, are seeking an expedited decision whether to send it to a public hearing for amendments to the city’s zoning and official community plan bylaws as their options to purchase properties where it is to be located expire next month.
“If the options do expire, the applicants have advised that they will not be renewed, and the project will be terminated.”
Penway said while staff has been working with the developer to make the recommended changes that might make the project a better fit, the proponents contend it would be financially unviable to lower its density or locate it elsewhere.
