Rejected childcare set for reconsideration Tuesday

Two weeks after failing in a 5-1 vote, a proposed 65-space Grant Avenue childcare facility is set to get a second look from Port Coquitlam council on Tuesday.

The project was roundly criticized by several neighbours, who voiced concerns ranging from increased noise to depressed property values as well as qualms regarding roving wildlife and “unfamiliar individuals” threatening neighbourhood safety. However, the majority of comments focused on the street’s lack of sidewalks and abundance of cars.

Speaking to the Dispatch, applicant Amar Kallu said he was hopeful council might approve the project.

“We’re a little bit more optimistic than we were earlier this week,” he said.

With new condos being built in the neighbourhood, Kallu said he didn’t see how the childcare would be detrimental.

The site is designed to “contain everything within the property and not utilize public roadways,” he said.

Located on Grant Avenue between Oxford and Cambridge streets, the project would mean consolidating two lots and demolishing a single-family house in favour of a new two-storey facility. Except for some esthetic concerns, council was supportive of the project early in the process.

“Makes sense. We need it,” Mayor Brad West said in September.

However, council rejected the proposal following an Oct. 10 public hearing.

“When you see this many people come out and they’re this passionate and their concerns are so loud, it’s hard to just blow past them and say, ‘Well, we need more childcare,’” said Coun. Paige Petriw.

The project’s only supporter was Coun. Glenn Pollock.

“I think it’s a great spot,” he said.

The site’s six parking spots could likely be reserved for pick-ups and drop-offs to assuage traffic concerns, Pollock said.

“I liked how many of the people got up and said: ‘I’m all for daycares but just not in my neighbourhood,” he said. “That’s pretty much the NIMBY spot on.”

Coun. Darrell Penner said he didn’t accept all the criticisms leveled at the project.

“I don’t believe property values are going to drop. I don’t believe the bears are going to eat the children,” he said.

However, Penner said the fundamental issue was an unsuitable streetscape, as the lack of sidewalks would force children to navigate around parked cars.

Coun. Nancy McCurrach concurred.

“There’s just nowhere to go,” she said of the street.

When going on trips from the centre, the childcare supervisors would use safety vests and ropes to ensure children are safe, Kallu told council.

Addressing concerns about traffic turmoil, Kallu said both pick-ups and drop-offs would be staggered throughout the day. He added that many parents would bring two children and parents in the neighbourhood would likely walk to the site.

“I don’t think the impact will be as bad as everybody here is thinking,” he told council.

There will also be two playgrounds on site, he added.

There was no traffic study completed regarding the project, an absence that troubled Coun. Dean Washington.

“Just because we need daycare doesn’t mean we just have to just throw it into each neighbourhood,” he said. “I’m a firm ‘no.’”

While he said it pained him to reject the proposal, Coun. Steve Darling also voted against the childcare.

“That area needs to densify and it needs to have things like this in place,” Darling said.

Darling also said he didn’t believe property values would drop or that noise pollution would be a big problem.

“That’s just stuff that people want to talk about and make up, but it’s clearly not the truth,” he said.

The key issue, Darling said, was: “Having no sidewalks, having cars parked everywhere.”

The proposal was rejected 5-1 with Pollock in support.

Mayor Brad West did not attend the meeting.

Operated by non-profit Kallu Family Childcare Society, the facility would have space for 41 children between three and five years of age and 24 infants and toddlers.

Fees at the facility could be reduced by about $550 from market rates through provincial programs. Additional subsidies could allow low-income families to eventually pay $10 a day, according to a city staff report.

In 2019, the city set a goal of adding a total of 1,449 new child care spots by 2030. As of 2022, the city has added a net total of 204 spaces – 77 fewer than the municipality’s target.