The proponent for a new 26-storey rental tower in downtown Port Moody needs to boost the size of some of its units and up its architecture game.
Those are among several recommendations made by council’s city initiatives and planning committee after getting an early look at the project, by Anthem Properties, at a meeting on March 18.
The Vancouver-based developer is seeking to build the tower — that will sit atop a two-storey commercial podium along Spring Street and a six-storey podium with retail spaces on the ground floor and apartments above along the north side of St. Johns Street — on a one-acre property at the corner of Williams Street and St. Johns. The site is currently occupied by a one-storey commercial building with several martial arts studios, an auto repair business and a cigar store.
The 325 market rental units will comprise:
- 49 studios
- 165 one-bedroom apartments
- Four one-bedroom plus den units
- 83 two-bedroom units
- 24 three-bedroom units
The apartments range from 383 square feet for some of the studios to 891 square feet for the three-bedroom units.
But Port Moody senior planner Dejan Teodorovic told councillors the developer has indicated the mix of apartments will change to increase the number of three-bedroom units so it complies with the 10 per cent required by the city’s family-friendly unit policy.
Coun. Samantha Agtarap said those units still need to be larger, though, to at least meet BC Housing’s design guidelines for family-friendly living.
Coun. Haven Lurbiecki agreed, adding families also want to be able to live near transit.
And while several councillors lauded Anthem’s plan for an expansive public plaza at the site’s west end that would link St. Johns and Spring streets with a landscaped pathway, patios, public art and even a mural, they were cool on the overall design of the building.
“It’s very square,” said Coun. Callan Morrison, adding he’d also like the six-storey podium along St. Johns stepped back more so it doesn’t create a wall effect.
“This is quite heavy on that side of the building.”
Coun. Amy Lubik said the project’s architecture needs to be more “inspiring.”
“This is going to be a building on St. Johns Street and we really want to bring it to life.”
Other councillors suggested the developer should increase the 148 jobs it says the project will create, perhaps by adding a child-care facility.
As well, they said they’d like to see some affordable units included, although they’re not required for purpose-built rental buildings under Port Moody’s inclusionary zoning policy.
But Mayor Meghan Lahti cautioned that could cause Anthem to change the nature of its proposal from rental apartments to strata condos to help pay for the affordable units.
“If we want to see affordable units in there, we need to be open-minded to an alternate plan coming forward,” she said.
For Anthem’s project to proceed, the company will require rezoning for the site. But its 26-storey height does comply with the city’s official community plan for the area.
The tower is the sixth proposed so far for the 23-acre area around the Moody Centre SkyTrain station designated for high-density redevelopment.
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