A neighbourhood plan to detail how a new development that could triple the population of Anmore will look and function can’t just read like a “sales document,” says a village councillor.
The framework for such a plan, to be completed by developer Icona Properties in collaboration with village staff, was approved by Anmore council on Tuesday, March 19.
Doug Richardson said the document needs to specifically address the financial plan Icona has for its Anmore South project that would see the construction of about 3,300 new homes, as well as commercial and mixed-use spaces, on 150 acres the company owns near the intersection of 1st Avenue and Sunnyside Road.
“This is a tough site to be build,” Richardson said, noting the property’s dense forest and steep gradient.
He said construction costs, as well as the expense of connecting the development to regional water, sewer and drainage infrastructure, could impact the developer’s pledge the project will address the village’s need for affordable housing options along with the kind of community benefits it might realize.
Richardson said it’s also imperative the plan address the project’s impact on traffic and the capacity of Ioco Road along Port Moody’s north shore to support all the new residents.
“The traffic study can be done today,” Richardson said. “You don’t need to know the shape of the doors.”
Anmore’s general manager of development services, Chris Boit, said the neighbourhood plan will require Icona to “crunch the numbers” for review.
“Everything is vetted independently,” he said.
Mayor John McEwen added issues like traffic aren’t unique to Anmore South.
“It seems like any major development has traffic issues,” he told council.
McEwen suggested a shuttle bus service such as one Beedie Living is saying it will implement to transport residents of its massive Fraser Mills development in Coquitlam to the nearby Braid SkyTrain station might be one solution.
“The big thing is getting people out of their cars,” he said.
As well, McEwen said, Ioco Road has the capacity to be expanded to four lanes.
In a presentation to council, Boit said the neighbourhood plan, which is to be completed over four stages with opportunities for community engagement and feedback along the way, will result in a “clear and structured approach to development of the Anmore South lands.”
But Icona’s president and CEO, Greg Moore, a former Port Coquitlam mayor, said in a letter council received in February the creation and approval of the plan would delay progress on its development by more than a year.
“Given the uncertain process and the need to manage associated risks, we will not proceed as planned without clear and decisive direction from council,” Moore said, adding the company had already submitted a terms of reference for the neighbourhood plan as well as a roadmap for community input.
Anmore councillor Paul Weverink said Tuesday’s approval of the village’s terms of reference for the neighbourhood plan does provide the certainty Icona seeks.
“I hope this is going to satisfy everybody,” he said.
Coun. Kim Trowbridge agreed.
“It’s nice to see a neighbourhood plan so we have some context” to measure Icona’s plan, he said. “Moving through these elements is going to give us the facts.”
Last December Anmore council gave first reading to amendments required to the village's official community plan that would allow the development can proceed.
