No short-term improvements coming to Grant Avenue; traffic problems a ‘pre-existing condition,’ mayor says

Six weeks after reversing course to approve a controversial daycare application, Port Coquitlam council returned to Grant Avenue on Tuesday to discuss the parking and traffic concerns raised by neighbours.

During the public hearing for a 65-space childcare, neighbours opposed to the application raised a host of concerns including safety hazards posed by clusters of cars and a lack of sidewalks.

There are problems on that block, acknowledged Mayor Brad West. However, those problems stem from “pre-existing conditions,” rather than the daycare.

“By my math there 38 homes on this block, 22 suites – 15 of which are unauthorized or illegal, which presumably have parking attached,” he said. “If there was a real desire from the neighbourhood to address the parking challenges it would probably be through enforcement on those 15 illegal suites.”

Some neighbours have built “quite elaborate parking pads,” West noted, adding those pads would present a challenge if the city was to install sidewalks.

There is one home-based business on the block that holds a city licence, West said. “The internet would tell you that there are maybe a couple more that are operating on that block,” he added.

The staff report noted that most Grant Avenue properties have access to a rear lane. However, many properties have those access points fenced off or used for storage. Many properties also have: “some form of unauthorized parking encroaching on the Grant Avenue boulevard.”

Council ultimately agreed that any decision on improving the area be deferred until the daycare is up and running.

With the province looking to quicken the pace at which new housing is built by introducing upfront zoning and bypassing negotiations between municipalities and developers, the 1900 block of Grant Avenue will likely transition to higher density, the report noted.

“With Bill 44 coming through . . . we’re going to see a lot of changes, not just on this street but on many, many streets,” said Coun. Nancy McCurrach. “Parking will become more and more of a concern wherever you live in our city.”

Council voted unanimously to have staff report back on the post-construction: “pedestrian and traffic impacts in the 1900 block of Grant Avenue.” That report would inform the city’s transportation and capital planning.