A Port Moody councillor hopes residents will “come out in droves” to share their thoughts about a proposal by Vancouver-based Beedie Living to construct 981 new homes in the city’s downtown.
But another says she doubts her colleagues will like what many residents have to say about the project.
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, a majority of councillors voted to send the proposal that comprises three towers of 32, 34 and 38 storeys, along with a six-storey transitional housing facility at a separate location further west on Spring Street, to a public hearing sometime early in the new year.
Only Coun. Haven Lurbiecki voted against advancing the project, while Mayor Meghan Lahti was absent.
When exactly the public hearing might occur, though, could be affected by the ongoing postal strike, said Kate Zanon, Port Moody’s general manager of community development, as the city must send notices of the meeting to impacted residents.
Located on several properties at the corner of Spring Street and Electronic Avenue currently occupied by a mix of aging light industrial and commercial buildings, Beedie’s proposal also includes 72,118 sq. ft. of commercial and office space as well as a daycare facility for up to 107 children.
In a presentation to council, senior planner Dejan Teodorovic said the developer made several tweaks to its proposal since it was last considered in July.
They have resulted in the elimination of 58 studio apartments but increased the number of one- and two-bedroom plus den units as well as those with three bedrooms.
Teodorovic said the total number of two- and three-bedroom units now account for 51 per cent of all apartments, exceeding Port Moody’s policy to encourage the construction of family-friendly units.
He added adjustments to the size of the buildings’ floor plates as well as other architectural tweaks have also meant many units will have more square footage and those that are smaller will be configured more efficiently.
Teodorovic said the towers will be anchored by commercial podiums that front along a public plaza, a kind of outdoor “living room.” It will be built and managed by the developer but with full access to the community.
The transitional housing facility, to be located near the intersection of Spring and Moody streets, will provide up to 50 non-market homes where women and their children escaping abusive situations can live for six to 18 months.
Teodorovic said the developer is also working with the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem) First Nation to provide another 20 units of below-market rental homes in one of the towers.
But if that deal falls through, he said the transitional facility could be expanded by another three storeys to meet the expectations of the city’s affordable housing policy.
Coun. Kyla Knowles said she’s excited to hear what Port Moody residents will have to say about “finally activating our city’s core eight years after the arrival of SkyTrain.”
Knowles added, “I do believe density is appropriate in this area” and will help create a “vibrant community.”
Coun. Amy Lubik lauded Beedie’s proposal as a good fit for the framework created by council last year to guide the development of Port Moody’s downtown to ensure it offers a variety of housing, commercial and industrial opportunities.
She also successfully advocated for an amendment that Beedie explore a sales strategy for the project’s condo units that would give first priority to Port Moody residents.
“We want to provide homes for people in the community,” she said.
Coun. Diana Dilworth said Beedie’s proposal, along with another by PCI Developments right next door that would see the construction of two 39-storey rental towers and a grocery store, are finally realizing the potential of the city’s downtown.
But Coun. Lurbiecki said it’s too much.
She pointed to feedback opposing Beedie’s project left by 72 per cent of 86 respondents on Port Moody’s online public engagement portal over the past year, as well as several dissenting comments provided by residents prior to the commencement of Tuesday’s meeting, as evidence “people don’t want this and we should vote this down.”
Lurbiecki said residents are fearing the impacts such large developments would bring to traffic, parks, infrastructure “and all things that people love about Port Moody.”
“It’s not the community’s vision. Port Moody will be an unbearable construction zone for decades.”
Dilworth concurred it’s important residents get the opportunity to speak to Beedie’s proposal to determine if it is something they desire for the city.
“We’re giving this a thumbs up to move forward in the process,” she said. “It’s time to hear from residents on their thoughts.”
Knowles said she hopes they respond, especially as an amendment to send notices of the public hearing to every address in Port Moody was also endorsed by council.
“I want to hear more from the greater community,” Knowles said. “I hope they come out in droves.”
A public hearing for PCI’s rental towers also has yet to be scheduled after the developer requested the original date, Nov. 12, be postponed.
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