Port Moody residents will get a chance to weigh in on a massive redevelopment plan to transform a neighbourhood in the city’s east end, next to the Coquitlam border.
A public hearing is scheduled for April 5 at 7 p.m. for the proposal by Vancouver-based developer Wesgroup Properties that could see the 14.8-acre Coronation Park area become home to 5,000 new residents.
Currently, the neighbourhood, which is right across from the Inlet SkyTrain station, is comprised of 59 aging single-family homes.
If Port Moody council subsequently approves third reading of amendments to the city’s official community plan to accommodate the project, it will be a major step forward to realization although the proposal would still require further amendments to zoning bylaws before it could proceed.
The mixed-use project would be comprised of six residential towers up to 31 storeys, a rental building, a four-storey office structure, a community amenity building, retail space along with a 9,500 sq. ft. daycare, as well as more than 2.5 acres of public park space.
The plan received a conditional blessing from council last December provided the developer consider several revisions including:
- moving density to the eastern edge of the property where it could adjoin eight — or possibly nine — new towers being planned by another developer for the Coquitlam side of the neighbourhood
- providing more job spaces
- considering more affordable housing options in the project
But when Wesgroup came back in January with amendments, like fewer towers — but now up to 45 storeys — as well as a doubling of the office building to eight storeys, councillors balked.
They said there was no appetite for taller towers in Port Moody and the provision for affordable housing could be further explored once the developer has some certainty to allow it to begin discussions with various government funding programs.
Residents living in the neighbourhood are also on tenterhooks, as sales agreements for their homes with the developer hinge on the project moving forward toward approval.
Wesgroup’s senior vice president of development, Brad Jones, said the clock is ticking on those agreements.
“We are simply out of time.”
If approved, the redevelopment of Coronation Park would be the second neighbourhood in Port Moody green lit for transformation in the past several months.
Last December, council approved the construction of 2,053 new housing units in Woodland Park, replacing 200 aging rental townhomes.
That project, by Edgar Developments will be comprised of several residential buildings ranging from six to 19 storeys, along with 19,000 sq. ft. of commercial space to accommodate a grocery store and café or several smaller food outlets, as well as a 93-space daycare facility.
The company has also committed to restoring and protecting three creeks that run through the 24-acre site, the construction of two kilometres of active trails and a realignment of access roads into the area.
None of the neighbourhood’s current residents will lose their homes as they’ll be relocated within the existing townhomes while construction proceeds in five phases then have first dibs on available rental units as they’re completed.
Also still being considered by council is plan by a consortium of nine property owners and developers that would see more than 4,000 new homes, as well as offices, retail spaces and public plazas, in the 23 acres around the city’s Moody Centre SkyTrain station.
Tuesday’s public hearing is being conducted virtually.
See portmoody.ca/ph for details and instructions how to participate.
