An amendment to Port Moody’s official community plan that would turn the neighbourhood around the Moody Centre SkyTrain station into a high-density, transit-oriented development area will go to a public hearing on Nov. 28.
But the plan — which could bring more than 3,000 residents to the area, living in a mix of developments from six to 26-storeys, as well as commercial buildings — will be tempered by a requirement that residential developments include “a component” of rental units as well as a provision to provide “substantial” park-and-ride spaces to improve the access to transit for residents of other parts of Port Moody.
If council approves the OCP amendment, changes to zoning would allow the construction of condo towers up to 26 storeys immediately adjacent to the Moody Centre Evergreen Extension station, with projects up to six storeys on the perimeters of the area,which is bounded by St. Johns Street and the train tracks, and from Moody to Spring streets. Current zoning allows for a maximum of 12 storeys.
There would also be a new pedestrian and cycling overpass to connect the neighbourhood to Murray Street and Rocky Point Park, and a new greenway along a daylighted Dallas/Slaughterhouse creek.
As well, Spring Street would be extended to create a pedestrian promenade and mid-block pedestrian walkways and plazas would be constructed. The city would also encourage opportunities for public art, the construction of child care facilities, play areas and amenities for seniors.
While Coun. Rob Vagramov said he was “disappointed to see more than double-the-height maximums” in Moody Centre, his motion to include a provision for substantial park-and ride spaces for the use of Port Moody residents was endorsed by a majority of councillors.
Vagramov said that will at least spread the benefits of some of amenities that could be brought into the neighbourhood by developers to the rest of the city.
Coun. Diana Dilworth cautioned that could end up changing the transit-oriented development area into “a giant parking lot for the rest of Port Moody.”
Coun. Meghan Lahti suggested the city also needed some assurance any new developments proposed for the transit-oriented development area include a component of rental housing.
“This is the ideal place to put this type of housing,” she said.
But Coun. Zoe Royer said such a provision would force every developer “to get into the landlord business,” something they might not be inclined to do.
“I would love to see we’re encouraging it but I don’t know if this is the way,” Royer said. “This will greatly affect the viability of some projects.”
Coun. Barbara Junker suggested a requirement for some rental housing doesn’t go far enough; she wants it to specify that housing be “affordable.”
Coun. Hunter Madsen also suggested the provision is too vague and should specify that 20% of new development be set aside for rental.
And while Madsen’s motion to attach a specific percentage to a rental requirement was defeated, Mayor Mike Clay said including a general requirement means if any developer wants to skirt that requirement “they’ll have to buy their way out.”
