Pitt Meadows delays vote on Meadowtown Shopping Centre expansion

Pitt Meadows is going to need more time before making a decision regarding an expansion plan at Meadowtown Shopping Centre. 

On Tuesday, council considered allowing a new two-storey, mixed-use building on the west side of the mall. 

The proposed extension, which includes eight ground floor retail units and eight office spaces on the upper floor, is expected to take up approximately 36,597 square feet next to the Real Canadian Superstore. 

The plan also includes 32 new parking spaces and landscaping — more than 20 new trees and various rhododendron shrubs — that will serve as a screen for homes located next to the new building.

When the mall was initially built in 2004, it was constructed with the intention of eventually adding a building next to Superstore, stated Colin O’Byrne, the city’s manager of planning.

“Overall, the proposal aligns with relevant form and character requirements established in the development permit area guidelines,” he declared. 

But a majority of councillors had concerns for surrounding residents. 

Specifically, Coun. Gwen O’Connell worried the new parking lot would create light pollution for the nearby homes, despite the report outlining that all of the light fixtures would be shielded from residents by the landscape. 

A berm was constructed on city property due to conflict between homeowners and the development of the mall nearly two decades ago, according to O’Connell.

In the proposal, a portion of that berm will be removed for the creation of a parking lot and a three metre landscape buffer will be installed to separate the lot from the property line, raising fears from O’Connell.

“It’s going to move the mall even closer,” she stated. “I know it’s still an ouchy point for some [residents].” 

Coun. Mike Hayes said it will take some time for the new trees to become mature and block some of the light. While Coun. Bob Meachen added that the new trees should be at least a few years old. 

“There’s a lot of trees being planted in this city on new developments, some of them look very small and stringy,” Meachen stated.  

However, regardless of whatever trees are planted in the berm area, Meachen said their leaves will fall off every year, leaving residents exposed to the light and noise for months at a time.

He suggested city staff reconfigure their plans for the parking lot and look at including a canopy that blocks the noise and light. 

Coun. Tracy Elke also suggested altering the berm design but expressed support for extending the mall. 

“It’s needed, we don’t see too many vacancies in this mall,” she stated. “This is a good thing for our community, more stores, coffee shops, sushi restaurants, who knows.” 

Since half of the new building will be office space, Coun. Allison Evans stated that the second floor may only be emitting light during business hours and not be as big of a concern for residents.

The bottom floor and street lamps would still be a cause for concern, though.

Following a lengthy discussion, council unanimously voted to delay voting on the proposal for at least two or three weeks, allowing staff to discuss the lighting and berm concerns with the developer, who was not named in the report or during the meeting. 

Mayor Nicole MacDonald supported the deferral and reiterated support for more office space in the city.

“A lot of people will look at that as a real positive,” she stated. “I think [the deferral] is a great place to land.”