Port Coquitlam residents will get their chance to weigh-in next month on a city decision to allow health and personal services to operate out of big box outlets like the newly opened Walmart.
Things like doctor's offices and beauty salons are normally the types of commercial services found in PoCo's downtown, but new regulations could allow them to operate within the mega retailers cropping up on the city's north side.
In the past, big box outlets, particularly Walmart, have generated controversy among residents. However, several councillors said there appeared to be a shift in thinking and they were curious to see what voters had to say about the changes now that the retail giants have arrived.
"We are opening a door here," said Coun. Mike Forrest. "There has been a certain amount of opposition and I am wondering if that is waning?"
If council approves the changes, larger retailers would be allowed to use up to 10% of their total floor area not exceeding 5,000 square feet for things like optical centres, beauty salons or related services.
The changes would impact only about five large format retailers in the city, according to a staff report.
Laura Lee Richard, PoCo's director of development services, said the city has not received any opposition to allowing medical and personal services within large format retailers from residents.
Even the Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association, once a staunch opponent of Walmart and big box retail, supports allowing large-format outlets to host businesses traditionally located in the downtown.
Lih-Ming Tam, the president of the BIA, said most of the businesses in the high-density downtown neighbourhood cater to residents in the immediate area.
"[Dominion Triangle] is far enough away that it is not convenient for people who live and work close to our district," he said. "If you live two blocks away from the sushi restaurant, are you going to drive over [to the north side] or are you going to walk?"
Tam does not believe Walmart's recent opening will have a major impact on his members. The fact is, he said, most downtown businesses have been competing with big box outlets like Costco, Home Depot and The Real Canadian Superstore for years and have already adjusted to the market.
"We have big box retail stores all around us," he said. "And our downtown core has done quite well."
Residents will get their chance to weigh-in on the decision at a regular council meeting on September 12.
