Port Moody council members supported third reading of Onni Development's application for a nine-storey commercial/office tower in Suter Brook but some continued to bemoan the loss of a planned hotel on the site.
"I'll be supporting it but I'm still disappointed with the hotel," said Coun. Bob Elliott.
Suter Brook's Parcel E was originally intended to be a hotel but those plans were scrapped when the previous council refused to allow increased residential density. The current land use contract amendment will allow Onni to build a nine-storey office tower with ground-floor commercial space.
Onni has offered to mitigate the proposed reduction in parking by 126 spaces by providing five electric vehicle charging stations and a car-share stall.
An Onni representative told council an office tower isn't the most profitable use for the company but offers the city a "highest and best use from a jobs perspective."
An economic consultant hired by Onni estimated once the building is finished, it will generate 630 to 780 new jobs.
Coun. Diana Dilworth expressed disappointment the tower couldn't be higher than nine storeys due to ground conditions.
"We're going to see unprecedented growth given the advent of SkyTrain," she said, adding growth along the Evergreen Line will likely present future opportunities for a hotel in Port Moody.
Mayor Mike Clay offered his full support, noting the office tower will help solve a longstanding issue - that most people who live in Port Moody have to go somewhere else to work.
"Having them work in Port Moody potentially takes 500 commuters off the road," he said.
The amendment will be up for adoption at a future council meeting.
