The Editor,
Re. “Drive-through coffee shop goes to hearing” (The Tri-City News, Oct. 16).
Port Coquitlam city council voted 4–3 in favour of rezoning 1475 Prairie Ave. and sending the proposal to a public hearing at its next meeting on Oct. 26.
Isn’t it strange that a metal disposal bin has already been placed at this empty CIBC building? Done deal already, Mayor Greg Moore and councillors Darrell Penner, Glenn Pollock and Mike Forrest?
It is a laugh that the above city council members say there may be jams during peak commuting hours and that road improvements could be made in the future. Coast Meridian Road is chaotic all the time and allowing southbound left-turn traffic into the strip mall will create more chaos.
What future road improvements? Has city council not done enough harm to this corridor? Maybe it could put in a traffic light like the one it allowed to be installed at the Tim Hortons to allow its customers to exit, so why not a special traffic light for this new proposed coffee shop for their customers to enter? This council is so pro-development that it seems to have forgotten the residents who live in this area.
There is already a Starbucks in the mall across the street. Do we need a drive-through as well?
Mall tenants have told council the loss of the bank branch has affected their businesses. Let’s see what happens to their businesses when they lose their existing customers because they can’t find parking because the drive-through lane to Starbucks will reduce the number of parking spaces.
Fay Wright, Port Coquitlam
