MLA calls on Port Moody council to put affordable housing in Coronation Park project

Port Moody council should take advantage of an “incredible opportunity” to add affordable housing to the Coronation Park project, according to an open letter penned by Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Rick Glumac on Wednesday.

Set for a public hearing on Tuesday, the Coronation Park proposal includes 2,857 residential units arrayed in six residential towers ranging from 26 and 31 storeys at the northeast corner of the Ioco Road and Barnett Highway intersection. While the proposal features 101 market rentals, the project does not include any below-market rentals.

Noting the development’s proximity to Inlet Centre SkyTrain station, Glumac contended that reducing the proposed 2,845 parking stalls could make the project more environmentally friendly and more affordable.

“Construction costs for building underground parking stalls could be shifted toward creating affordable housing,” Glumac wrote, noting that many families look for homes near transit to avoid the costs of owning a car.

With the city “well on its way” to meeting the provincial housing target of adding 1,694 new units in five years, council should focus their attention on affordable below market rentals, according to Glumac.

Port Moody’s target, assigned by the province, is to complete 238 new affordable below market rentals by 2028.

“While expediency of housing approvals is critically important we also know that opportunities like this are limited and should be carefully considered to ensure housing supply meets the full spectrum of housing needs,” Glumac wrote.

As the lone councillor opposing the project, Coun. Haven Lurbiecki has described the amount of parking in the development as “nonsensical,” adding that the traffic impact will be “catastrophic.”

The city generally would require 3,011 parking stalls for a project of this size. Wesgroup requested a 266-stall reduction, a notion supported by city staff.

However, Lurbiecki said the reduction could have netted the city $26 million, adding that the money could have funded affordable housing.

Glumac proposed marriage to Lurbiecki in the B.C. legislature in 2022, praising her “passion for making the world a better place.”

She said yes.

The previous council asked for affordable housing to be included in the project but removed the request in exchange for lower tower height and density.

Mayor Meghan Lahti previously acknowledged concern over the lack of affordable housing but said she had concerns about moving the project backwards.

Wesgroup has promised to explore affordable housing at later phases of the 10-year build out.