Port Moody council is poised to give its final approvals to a pair of developments by Vancouver-based Anthem Properties that would bring more than 300 new rental apartments to the city.
On Tuesday, Dec. 17, council will consider final adoption of amendments to Port Moody’s zoning and official community plan bylaws that would allow Anthem’s proposal to build a 12-storey residential tower with 128 rental apartments at the northwest corner of St. Johns and Moray streets.
The tower would be constructed atop a six-storey parking structure — four of which would be above ground effectively making it a 16-storey building.
It would also be adjoined to a 45,818 sq. ft. Ismaili cultural and worship centre wrapped by intricate Mashrabiya latticework.
Isaac Beall, Anthem’s vice-president of development, said the elevated parking structure is necessitated by the property’s steep slope down from St. Johns Street to ensure the lowest floors of the residential tower are actually above the SkyTrain guideway that runs immediately behind the site.
That caused some consternation among councillors when it last considered the project on Nov. 5.
Coun. Haven Lurbiecki said allowing the tall parkade could create an expectation among developers for a similar accommodation.
She also decried the project’s diminished commitment to provide affordable units; Anthem’s original proposal to make 64 apartments available at below-market rates was ultimately pared to just 13.
But other councillors said even the smaller number is a win as purpose-built rental projects aren’t subject to Port Moody’s inclusionary housing policy.
“I’m glad they got some non-market housing in there,” said Coun. Amy Lubik.
Other councillors lauded the project’s distinctive architectural features like its Mashrabiya screen, an intricate wood privacy curtain that wraps around two sides of the Ismaili centre and also functions as a passive cooling structure.
Coun. Diana Dilworth said the building “sets a high bar” while Lubik said she hopes architects for subsequent projects in the city take some inspiration to make their buildings look more interesting.
Councillors also praised the look of Anthem’s second proposal, a six-storey U-shaped building a little further west on St. Johns Street at James Road.
More rentals are coming to Port Moody. A second project awaits https://t.co/JrM7TL637g
— Tri-City News (@TriCityNews) October 24, 2024
It would comprise 180 market rental apartments. along with commercial spaces on the ground floor.
Coun. Kyla Knowles said the proposal had improved considerably since councillors initially sent it back to the developer for refinements last February.
Beall said Anthem worked with the project’s architect to “create a public realm that people can really enjoy.”
Some of the refinements include increased setbacks to the building’s upper floors and a wider sidewalk along St. Johns Street.
“We need housing and we also need buildings that are interesting to look at and activate the public realm,” Lubik said.
As part of the project, Anthem will also erect a new traffic signal at the intersection of St. Johns and James.
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