A new church and an industrial development could be coming to Port Coquitlam's Dominion Triangle if council approves a proposal put forward by Conwest Developments and Foursquare Gospel.
The project includes an industrial component that would take up two lots at Fremont Street and Nicola Avenue while a church would be located next door at Fremont Connector and the new Seaborne Avenue.
A third lot located at the fork in the road connecting Nicola Avenue and the Fremont Connector would see a book store and coffee shop, which would be connected to the church.
"I think it is exciting," said Coun. Michael Wright. "I think the concept is great."
Coun. Glenn Pollock echoed Wright's comments and said that he was pleased with the industrial component included in the development project.
But while council voted to move the proposal forward during Monday night's meeting (Mayor Greg Moore recused himself from the proceedings because his wife works for the applicant while Coun. Mike Forrest was absent from the meeting), several said they would need more details about the project before voting on the final approvals.
Councillors voiced concerns about traffic volumes and Coun. Darrell Penner said he wanted more information about the tax-exempt status of the church property.
Coun. Brad West, who chairs PoCo's smart growth committee, said the proposal would be taken back to the committee level for further discussion before being brought back to council.
He and Coun. Dean Washington also pushed for a broader public consultation process. Washington noted that it could be difficult to get residents to participate in the discussion because there are few people who reside in the largely undeveloped area.
"Who would be the public?" he asked. "There's no one there."
