Hundreds of units planned

Highrise heights, daycare spaces and job creation were among the concerns voiced this week on plans to build a new high-density neighbourhood in downtown Port Coquitlam.

Two developers — Barco Canada and Townline Homes — are vying to buy the old city works yard at 2170 Kelly Ave. and 2380-90 Mary Hill Rd. and develop it with towers, commercial space, a daycare and public amenities.

At Leigh Square Community Arts Village Wednesday, the proponents each gave 20-minute presentations, offering residents a chance to see their mixed-use concepts and get feedback before city council makes its decision later next month. (Once a proposal is selected, the city will start the rezoning process, which will involve public hearings.)

Earlier this year, city council was criticized after a 26-storey tower was approved for the former Shell gas station site on Shaughnessy Street next to Lions Park. Residents said they didn’t have enough time to review the plans.

At Wednesday’s public input session, representatives for Barco and Townline outlined their visions before about 50 people.

• Barco: Plans include three towers (20, 25 and 30 storeys) surrounded by shorter buildings (four, six and seven storeys), with the 30-storey highrise to be the “flagship” that would have “sweeping views” of the Fraser Valley and Mt. Baker. The plans call for 700 to 750 units (54 for some type of affordable housing), about 1,100 parking spaces, 6,500 sq. ft. of public/amenities space, 3,000 sq. ft. for a daycare and 20,000 sq. ft for commercial space. It would be built to LEED silver standards with landscaped roofs. As well, there would be a “piazza,” or roundabout entrance with small streets leading off to the buildings and shops.

• Townline: Plans include a main street that divides the area in two. There would be three towers (two at 26 storeys and one at 32 storeys) for 690 units, and about 1,000 parking spaces. It would be built to LEED gold standards with green roofs. There would be a 19,000 sq. ft. grocery store, public/amenities space at 4,000 sq. ft. and a daycare at 1,500 sq. ft. The concept is “sustainable... artful and respectful” to the history of PoCo, said Townline reps, adding the company has also met with neighbours to “get a feel of the residents’ needs.”

Two shortlisted developers — ParkLane and Windmill — dropped out of the competition recently because of other commitments, said Kim Fowler, PoCo’s director of development services.

jwarren@tricitynews.com