Moody Centre’s twin 39-storey rental towers approved

It’s either the cornerstone of a revitalized Moody Centre or an unnecessary eyesore, depending on who you sided with on Tuesday evening.

Following a lengthy public hearing, Port Moody council voted 5-1 to approve a proposal to build two 39-storey towers within 30 metres of each other east of the Moody Centre SkyTrain station.

The majority of Tuesday’s speakers praised the 865-unit development, with a particular focus on plans to daylight Slaughterhouse Creek and build a pedestrian overpass connecting to Murray Street.

That $14-million overpass is: “critical to the vibrancy and needs of neighbourhoods on either side of the tracks,” said resident John Grasty during Tuesday’s meeting.

Grasty also noted the plan includes a grocery store as well an extension of Golden Spike Way, allowing drivers to avoid Spring Street when entering the parkade.

“I’d like to challenge those opposed . . . to please share what you propose as an alternative to meet all of the identified community needs that this development addresses,” Grasty said.

Longtime resident Penny Bickerton praised the project’s 44 below-market rental units and easier access to Port Moody’s Urgent and Primary Care Centre.

“I’ll going to lose my parking at the SkyTrain station but I am going to gain a very vibrant street-level retail plaza,” Bickerton said.

Many Port Moody residents are concerned about a loss of community and a reduction of sunshine, said resident Alex Teixeira.

“The sun is no longer available [around Murray Street] following six-storey Soviet-style developments which are blocking the sun,” he said.

Typically, the city mandates the towers to 60 metres apart. However, the distance between the 39-storey towers was reduced to 28 metres to allow for the daylighting of the creek.

The project represents an evolution in the downtown core, according to resident Wilhelmina Martin.

“When we accepted two transit stations . . . we made a deal that we would put high density in that area,” she said. “I’m gobsmacked, quite honestly, that we are actually putting this many amenities in an area that has been really rather desolate for a number of years.”

The development is needed, Martin added.

“To label all developers as greedy, money-hungry partners is unfair, because they are investing in our communities for our benefit,” she said. “I welcome that investment.”

Former city councillor Steve Milani called Tuesday’s meeting a “stacked hearing.”

With city resources already over-capacity, the development will end up: “further straining public services and overcrowding Rocky Point Park, the jewel of our city.”

The project’s floor area ratio, which measures floor space against lot size, is 6.96.

The tower height and density is not in line with the modest growth promised during the last election, Milani said.

Height limits in the area were previously capped at 26 storeys. However, given the inflation around construction costs, that extra height is crucial, according to Coun. Kyla Knowles.

“A 26-storey [building] would give us nothing,” Knowles said. “Shorter buildings at this location would give us less or no park and open space, no road improvements, no amenities, no daylit creek, no public washrooms, no below-market units, no pedestrian overpass.”

The proposal offers a lot, but not a lot the city needs, according to Coun. Haven Lurbiecki.

“The application is too tall, and too dense, and is not even housing that we need,” Lurbiecki said, stating Port Moody has vastly exceeded the necessary number of studio and one-bedroom units.

The pedestrian overpass will also be a cost to the community, she added.

“It’s a pathway to reduce quality of life when the over 10,000 people that will be moving into Moody Centre alone, are accessing our over-crowded park.”

Port Moody council is losing the trust of residents, Lurbiecki said.

“Instead of backing up and admitting we could do things better like holding a referendum or waiting at least until after our OCP to make decisions, council has instead doubled down; treating residents like they must be confused or misinformed if they don’t support council’s grand vision for our city.”

The development is part of a long-term plan, said Coun. Diana Dilworth.

“This is not a tomorrow-plan. This is a 2050 plan and beyond,” Dilworth said.

With the much-needed grocery store, this development should help bring vibrancy to the area, according to Coun. Callan Morrison.

“I see a complete community and this development is the cornerstone,” he said.

While she acknowledged concerns about building height, Mayor Meghan Lahti said the key issue was location.

“This is the right place to put density,” she said.

Listing affordability as her biggest concern, Coun. Amy Lubik said she hoped the number of below-market rentals could be increased through partnerships between PCI Development company, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and B.C. Housing.

Council voted 5-1 in favour of the project with Lurbiecki opposed. Coun. Samantha Agtarap was absent.