Even if a new grocery store in Port Moody’s downtown doesn’t carry a vast range of dry goods, meat and produce items, “it will go a long way to meeting the food needs of some of the neighbourhood’s residents,” says a city councillor.
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, Port Moody council gave third reading to zoning and official community plan bylaw amendments necessary for a six-storey mixed-use project at the southwestern corner of St. Johns and Queens streets to proceed.
The approval came following a brief public hearing during which the only major concern raised was a question about managing parking in the area while the building is under construction.
The project is comprised of a 9,525 sq. ft. Bosa Foods grocery store on the first two floors with 48 market rental apartments occupying the other four storeys.
As well, the proponent has committed to installing a fully-signalized crosswalk at the busy intersection.
Where's the fruit and veg? Port Moody council asks about new project that includes Bosa Foods
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Coun. Diana Dilworth said a 1,200 sq. ft. patio outside the front door of the grocery store, along with the increased safety provided by the crosswalk will help enliven the area near PoMoArts.
“I really like the architecture bringing that corner right down to street level,” she said. “It will enhance the pedestrian experience.”
Coun. Callan Morrison said the Bosa Foods store, which specializes in grocery, meat and deli items from Europe’s Mediterranean region, will “provide a unique grocery option.”
The company currently operates two other grocery stores — both in Vancouver.
Coun. Kyla Knowles praised the proponent’s fine tuning of the proposal to include eight two-bedroom units among the 24 apartments that will adaptable for residents with mobility issues in response to an earlier request from council.
“The changes have been really positive,” Knowles said. “The applicant is willing to listen to what we have to say.”
Jeff Moi, Port Moody’s general manager of engineering and operations, told council staff would work with the developer to develop a parking plan during construction, especially as work will likely be underway around the same time at another new project just a couple of blocks north, at the corner of Queens and Clarke streets.
He also gave assurances the new traffic signal would be synchronized with existing signals along St. Johns Street to maintain a steady flow rather than requiring drivers to constantly stop and start.
The city will also realize about $930,000 from the sale of a 5.5-metre wide portion of the right-of-way along Queens Street to accommodate the new building but it won’t affect the actual width of the road, said Moi.
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