New Westminster city council has approved a variance for a sign on top of the office tower at Anvil Centre.
The city applied to council to vary the sign bylaw for 777 Columbia St. so a 22.8-square-metre (245-square-foot) realty sign can be placed on top of the building. Although the proposed sign is larger than what’s permitted in the city’s sign bylaw, a city staff report stated it would be removed once the office tower is leased.
“The sign would be located at the top of the office tower and would not be visible at a smaller scale,” the report said.
Council approved the variance at its July 7 meeting, the last meeting before meetings resume on Aug. 25 after the summer break.
New West considers school expansion plan
Urban Academy is hoping to expand its educational offerings.
The New Westminster private school is proposing to enter into a heritage revitalization agreement with the city for changes being proposed at Robson Manor. The plan would see some exterior and interior elements of the 1935 building at 101 Third St. restored. The society is also proposing to acquire the site at 228 Manitoba St., demolish the two-storey, eight-unit rental apartment building and build a new school building around the existing school in Robson Manor.
A preliminary staff report to council states that the proposed new school building would be three storeys above grade and contain mostly classroom space. An additional two storeys located below grade would include space for music rooms, drama theatre, a gymnasium and parking.
Coquitlam not pleased with plan
Coquitlam opposes one of the changes New Westminster is contemplating for its official community plan.
After reviewing the regional context statement for New Westminster’s OCP update, Coquitlam city council passed a resolution to object to the proposed amendments that removed references to the North Fraser Perimeter truck route plan from the document.
It also passed a motion to encourage New Westminster to recognize, in the context statement, the importance of establishing regional transportation connections to facilitate efficient goods movement between Coquitlam and New Westminster.
