The public hearing for a proposal to build Port Moody’s two tallest residential towers has been postponed.
The hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 12.
A statement on the city’s website said the postponement was requested by the applicant, Vancouver-based PCI Developments.
The company is seeking amendments to Port Moody’s zoning and official community plan bylaws to construct two 39-storey towers comprising 865 new rental apartments next to the Moody Centre SkyTrain station.
Council passed first and second reading of those amendments in a special meeting on Oct. 25. They also decided to send written notices advising residents of the public hearing to every household in the city; normally such notices only go to addresses within a 140-metre radius of a proposed development.
But not every councillor was fully satisfied with some of the elements of PCI’s proposal. They agreed to a motion put forward by Coun. Amy Lubik tasking staff to work with the developer to determine further opportunities to increase the number of affordable units from the proposed 44, as well as bolster the mix of larger, family-friendly units and find ways to add more green space.
“I’d like to see us work a bit more with the proponent so we can say to the public it brings so much to the city,” Lubik said.
The project is expected to bring about $18-million of amenities to Port Moody, including:
- a new pedestrian bridge over the railroad track connecting the development’s commercial podium to Murray Street, across from Rocky Point Park
- a 25,833 sq. ft. public plaza at the entrance of the SkyTrain station
- more than 4,000 sq. ft. of artist studio spaces
- a 41,398 sq. ft. grocery store
As well, the developer plans to realign and daylight Dallas/Slaughterhouse Creek that runs through the four-acre site then turn over the newly-protected riparian area to the city as a park.
But Coun. Haven Lurbiecki said the city needs to push for more given the proposal's scale, that she characterized as “the most massive development project we’ve seen in our history.”
Lurbiecki added, “There’s no doubt the community has serious and valid concerns about these towers.”
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