A Lower Mainland real estate developer is looking to build a neighbourhood pub and liquor store at the heart of Port Coquitlam's new Fremont Village development.
Last week, council voted in favour of receiving a report on a zoning amendment application that would allow 125 indoor seats and 52 patio seats at the establishment. An adjacent liquor store would be approximately 22,000 sq. ft.
A number of businesses have been going up in the area and Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore believes that construction will be the precursor to residential development.
"This is the heart of this development," he said during last week's meeting. "Hopefully, this pushes it over the so the rest can get developed."
According to a city staff report, a pub was tentatively proposed for a retail area that would centre around Village Drive. The document states that Onni is not sure exactly where it wants to put the pub and is waiting to secure tenants before laying out their development.
If the pub is built, it would be near an outdoor plaza and surrounded by similar retail buildings, like banks and grocery stores, said Coun. Mike Forrest, who chairs the smart growth committee.
"The neighbourhood pub would provide an important gathering place for shoppers, employees, and nearby residents to dine and socialize," said the staff report. "These additional uses will contribute to the diversity of the retail merchandising mix."
In order for the pub to be approved, council will have to vote in favour of four readings of the zoning amendment bylaw and hold a public hearing on the proposal.
COMMUNITY GARDEN
The city of Port Coquitlam is considering moving forward with a plan to build a community garden at Central Park to commemorate the municipality's centennial.
Currenlty, PoCo has only one community garden located at Elks Park, however a group of residents and the Rotary Club have been pushing for more space to grow organic fruits and vegetables.
A non-profit group - the Centennial Community Garden Society - has been established to operate the garden and the proposal will be considered at Wednesday's health community committee meeting.
If the garden receives the necessary approvals, it would be located on the east side of the park, separated from the baseball diamond by a line of trees.
City staff would plough the soil, connect waterlines and remove the grass, after which the garden would operate at no cost to the municipality, according to a city staff report.
The garden would also have to allocate plots to residents on a first come, first serve basis and organice gardening practices would have to be adhered to.
If the healthy community committee approves the initial report, council would consider the proposal and consult with the public before it goes ahead with the plans.
