The mayor of Port Moody says the city is hoping some of the 544 trees expected to be removed for Wesgroup Properties' development of its Inlet District project can be replanted elsewhere.
Meghan Lahti said an arborist is working with the developer to determine which trees on the 14.8-acre property at Ioco Road and Barnet Highway can be saved. She said some have potentially already been identified.
“Tree canopy is a priority in Port Moody and comments were made during the project consideration to preserve and replant trees where feasible,” Lahti said, adding the city has requested an analysis of the neighbourhood’s existing tree canopy and what it will look like once construction is completed.
Wesgroup’s plan for the Inlet District includes 2,500 new homes in six condo towers from 26 to 31 storeys, in addition to three six-storey buildings. There will also be a four-storey office building, along with commercial spaces in the podiums of two towers along Ioco Road. As well there will be a central park, two daycares and a 2,000 sq. ft. amenity space to be managed by the city.
Construction on the first of four phases is expected to begin in the spring of 2025, with completion of the full project anticipated to take 25 years.
Currently, the site that used to be known as Coronation Park is occupied by 51 aging single-family homes.
Trees 'need to go'
An arborist’s report submitted to the city as part of Wesgroup’s development permit application to proceed with the project’s first phase said the trees need to be removed as the site needs to be completely excavated to accommodate an underground road and parking network. The application was due to be reviewed by Port Moody's advisory design panel on Feb. 22, but the meeting was cancelled.
Another 44 trees adjacent to the site could be impacted by construction work, said Glenn Murray, a certified master arborist with Froggers Creek Tree Consultants Ltd., which prepared the report.
And while 104 of 125 city-owned trees along the site’s perimeter will be protected, many of them could also face removal if retaining walls along Barnet Highway have to be replaced or moved.
Murray’s report said some of the trees are as tall as 35 metres and most are listed in fair to good health. Species include Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, Douglas fir, Norway Maple, Black Poplar, Hazelnut and Spruce.
Lahti said council requested the developer put as much of the project’s roads and parking underground as possible to create a “pedestrian prioritized environment.”
She said the developer will need to conform to Port Moody’s tree protection bylaw, which requires each tree that’s removed be replaced by two new ones. She said she also expects a detailed landscape plan for the site that provides shaded areas, natural cooling, a variety of tree spaces as well as active and passive recreation areas.
