A 17-unit townhouse development proposal for St. Johns Street in Port Moody that could affect views for its St. George Street neighbours will go to a public hearing on Dec. 8.
The proposal, which was presented to the city's land use committee in September 2014, is for the units at 2313/2315 St. Johns St. to be spread over three buildings fronting on the south sides of St. Johns and on St. Andrews streets.
A view analysis for a handful of St. George properties found some neighbours will lose their views of the inlet but may gain mountain views while others who did not previously have a view could gain one after several large trees are removed.
A staff report presented to council Tuesday stated any new multi-family development on the St. Johns properties would have some kind of impact on the properties to the south but the proponent had done its best to mitigate any negative effects.
As a whole, the buildings would appear as two storeys, plus the rooftop deck access feature, from St. Andrews. And while the height falls within the maximum permitted (10.5 m), the design means only the rooftop access features are at this height and the majority of the building is well below it.
Still, the St. George views will be affected, the report states. The three easternmost lots (2318 to 2326) on St. George will see an increase in their inlet and mountain views once large trees are removed from the subject properties while, on the other side, one property will lose part of its inlet view but will gain a greater view of the mountains.
Council approved first two readings of the zoning and OCP amendments, with some reservations.
"My largest concern is the viewscape," said Coun. Diana Dilworth.
That sentiment was echoed by Coun. Barbara Junker, who said while she liked the idea of a townhouse complex on those properties, the city doesn't yet have a comprehensive traffic plan for Moody Centre.
Coun. Rick Glumac voted against the recommendations, saying he was apprehensive about approving OCP changes so soon after council had adopted its latest edition.
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