A bid to renovate a massive commercial space in downtown Port Coquitlam for a future childcare centre will go before city council in September.
But the city's smart growth committee has already rejected the application to turn the old Canadian Tire building into a daycare for up to 136 kids.
At its meeting on Wednesday, the committee unanimously refused recommendation of the proposal, citing the appropriateness and size of the use.
"It really does come down to the location," committee chair Coun. Brad West told The Tri-City News on Thursday. "It would be a huge childcare centre and far removed from any residential area… This is very out of the way and in a fairly busy commercial core."
According to city documents, the 11,158 sq. ft. commercial unit would be renovated for 10 classrooms, six napping rooms, an office and kitchen. As well, nine parking spaces in front of building would replaced with a fenced outdoor play area.
Meanwhile, also on Wednesday, the committee approved in principal a move to rezone one of the last agricultural lots in Dominion Triangle.
West said his committee reviewed the bid from Teralink Investment Group Inc., which wants a four-lot subdivision on a large, vacant lot between Nicola and Dominion avenues for light industry.
West said more light industry at the Triangle "is a positive thing because it will bring more employment into the city."
In other PoCo news:
CAR SHOWS
Port Coquitlam is gearing up for its 12th annual car show next month, one of the biggest displays of its kind in Western Canada.
Some 60,000 visitors and participants are expected to attend the event hosted by the PoCo Downtown Business Improvement Association, spokespersons Bruce Richardson and Mike Roberts told city council on Monday.
Sponsored by Metro-Ford Motors in PoCo, the exhibit will feature about 400 collector vehicles — from the 1920s to '80s — on Sunday, Aug. 21, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
And, the night before, Tri-City residents will be able to see the vehicles in motion as they parade through the city during a classic car cruise.
Meanwhile, PoCo city council on Monday granted the Cat and Fiddle Pub a special event business licence for its car show on Sept. 11.
Its 28th annual exhibit will include about 60 cars on the Cat's Brown Street property as well as a beer garden and kids' activities, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
LISTED AGAIN
A residential lot being sold by the city of Port Coquitlam is back on the market — at $200,000 less.
Last month, the municipality had asked $799,000 for the 13,713-sq. ft. property at 1363 Elinor Cres., in the Mary Hill neighbourhood.
But Braden Hutchins, PoCo's corporate and lands manager, told The Tri-City News there were no offers and now the city land is up for grabs at $599,000.
A condition of the sale is that the home be removed. The city purchased the property in April for $890,000 with the intent to widen the northern road by 2.5 m for future utility projects.
IN MEMORIAM
A memorial was held this month for Port Coquitlam resident and labour relations negotiator Neil Bradbury.
Bradbury, 64, a retired regional director for CUPE BC who previously worked for the city of PoCo as an equipment operator, died last month.
His untimely passing was acknowledged at two city council meetings this month by CUPE-backed councillors Brad West and Glenn Pollock.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
