Richmond's planning committee temporarily put the brakes on a planned industrial park at Riverport that would add more traffic to an already heavily congested area.
The planned 14-acre industrial park would be built on an existing paved lot once used to store new cars at No. 6 Road and Steveston Highway, across from the Silvercity movie theatres.
Councillors want city planners to ensure whether the land can first be used by Port Metro Vancouver. They also want planners to examine more closely the traffic impact of such a facility and the feasibility of adding solar panels.
As the existing plan stands the industrial park would consist of two buildings with loading bays in the middle and small retail outlets to the side. It would feature 400 parking stalls.
Riverport is a somewhat orphaned community, separated from the main city by Highway 99. Access to the area comes via a two-lane Steveston Highway overpass or No.6 Road. Traffic jams are common during rush hour, sporting events and popular movie nights.
City planners anticipate a new bridge at the Massey Tunnel will improve the Steveston Highway interchange.
The only traffic improvements being proposed are to the front of the industrial park.
