Construction of the biggest development project in Port Moody’s history will require the removal of 544 trees.
In fact, according to an arborist's report, every tree on the 14.8-acre site that used to be known as Coronation Park and is now called the Inlet District, will need to be stripped out to allow for excavation work from between the property lines.
Additionally, 44 trees adjacent to the site could be impacted by the construction work, said Glenn Murray, a certified master arborist with Froggers Creek Tree Consultants Ltd. which prepared the report.
Murray said 104 of 125 city-owned trees, mostly along the site’s perimeter, will be protected. But if retaining walls along the Barnet Highway need to be replaced or moved, then most of them will also have to be removed.
The trees include Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, Douglas fir, Norway Maple, Black Poplar, Hazelnut and Spruce — some as tall as 35 metres and most are listed in fair to good health.
Last September, Port Moody council approved a new urban forest management plan to increase the city’s tree canopy coverage to 59 per cent by 2050, one per cent higher than its current 58 per cent.
Coun. Kyla Knowles said protecting the city’s trees “is an important issue.”
Coun. Diana Dilworth said for the goal to be achieved, the city needs to find ways to save mature trees in the way of development projects by replanting them elsewhere in addition to planting new ones.
According to Port Moody’s tree protection bylaw, each tree that is removed must be replaced by two new ones of the same species. Replacement trees must also be at least 1.5 metres tall if they're coniferous and a minimum seven centimetres in diameter if deciduous.
An application by Vancouver-based Wesgroup Properties for a development permit to allow construction of the project’s first of four phases to proceed is scheduled to be reviewed by Port Moody’s advisory design panel tonight, Feb. 22.
When the whole project is completed, in about 25 years, it will be comprised of more than 2,500 new homes in six condo towers — from 26 to 31 storeys — and three six-storey residential buildings. There will also be a four-storey office building, a grocery store, pharmacy and other retail shops along with a 2,000 sq. ft. amenity space and two daycares. All of the buildings will surround a 2.55-acre central park.
Construction of the first phase on the site’s western edge along Ioco Road includes two towers atop a four-storey podium, as well as the office building and one of the daycares. It’s expected to begin in spring 2025.
The project has had a tumultuous history since Wesgroup first came to Port Moody council in 2019 with a plan to build six residential towers up to 36 storeys along with five six-storey buildings.
