Several land-use changes to make way for new homes around the updated Port Coquitlam recreation complex were green-lighted this week.
Last night (Monday), following public hearings that drew no speakers, city council unanimously voted in favour of three bylaw readings to rezone and change the official community plan (OCP) to allow construction of to 450 units in:
• four market condo buildings (on the former city works yard south of Kelly Avenue);
• one short-term rental block (on a consolidate lot north of Kelly Avenue, facing Mary Hill Road);
• and one seniors' apartment building (on a consolidated parcel north of Kelly Avenue, facing Mary Hill Road).
But Coun. Mike Forrest warned that with the additional housing — on what will be known as Montrose Square — and the $132-million rec centre, more commuters will be in the downtown area.
According to a consultants' traffic analysis report released last month, the 15-acre campus will generate about 1,000 more late-day visits when the development is done in June 2021.
Forrest said taxpayers need to be aware that city staff are currently looking at whether traffic lights or roundabouts should go in along Kingsway Avenue — at the intersections with Kelly Avenue and Tyner Street.
The study states roundabouts would cost the developer up to 20% more than traffic lights; however, they would improve traffic flow better, the consultants suggest.
Kristen Meersman, PoCo's director of engineering and public works, said she expects her report to come before city council in a month.
While Quantum Properties is building the housing, Ventana Construction is in charge of the 205,000 sq. ft. recreation complex in partnership with Architecture 49.
When complete, the centre will include: three sheets of ice, a leisure pool, the Terry Fox Library, Wilson Centre, a gym, multipurpose rooms and an outdoor amphitheatre.
Last month, PoCo property owners received a letter from the city to inform them of the $25 parcel tax to pay for part of the new rec complex.
Fourth and final bylaw readings of the zoning and OCP changes are set to be endorsed at a later council meeting.
