A Port Coquitlam planning committee has poured cold water on plans to have hot coffee for drivers at a busy northside intersection.
Last week, the city’s smart growth committee unanimously turned down a rezoning bid by Harvest Developments to revive part of a former CIBC bank branch for a Starbucks coffee shop, complete with a drive-thru window.
The drive-thru was proposed to be located at the northeast corner of Coast Meridian Road and Prairie Avenue — an intersection that’s becoming increasingly busy with the development on Burke Mountain, where Coquitlam plans to add another 20,000 residents over the next decade.
PoCo Coun. Brad West said while he’s a Starbucks fan, a drive-thru at that location would become a destination and, therefore, clog the intersection further. And the strip mall behind the building has a parking lot that’s already too tight, he warned.
According to a Bunt and Associates report commissioned by the applicant, the traffic would have been manageable.
Still, committee chairperson Coun. Glenn Pollock said commuters would be inconvenienced and he and Coun. Mike Forrest supported West’s recommendation to reject the bid.
The building previously used by CIBC has been vacant for two and a half years since the branch moved to Fremont Village, said city planner Jennifer Little.
Other PoCo news:
BIA & CARS
Property owners in the Port Coquitlam BIA area won’t see levy hikes over the next four years.
But in the fifth year, the city will collect an extra 2% to pay the business promoter.
Last week, the city’s smart growth committee endorsed a bylaw that would see a total of $164,196 charged annually to downtown businesses, and $167,480 in 2020. (As city hall is also located in the downtown core, the city also pays the BIA $18,244 a year.)
The move comes after the BIA held its annual general meeting in May to approve the current boundaries, back a new strategic plan, start a branding exercise and elect Brad Fenton as the president.
Besides the August car show — its flagship event — the BIA also partially funds street banners, Heritage at Leigh Square and the May Day festival, as well as other civic pride projects.
Also last week, the smart growth committee approved the special event business licence for the BIA car show, which will be held on Aug. 15 (car cruise and dinner/dance) and Aug. 16 (show and shine).
The BIA is expecting more than 400 cars on display and 70,000 visitors on Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. — two hours longer than in past years.
Council is expected to ratify the licence at an upcoming meeting.
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