A development consortium wants to build three residential towers on the old Andrés Wines site measuring 12, 21 and 26 storeys.

In a report to Port Moody's land use committee, Andrew Peller Ltd. -- in association with Urbanics Consultants Ltd., Neal Staniszkis Doll Adams Architects and Bunt and Associates -- makes the case for taller towers based on rising construction costs.

"With the project essentially stalled for the past year, pro-forma budgets have been revised to reflect substantial construction cost increases," the report states. "In order to maintain an economically viable project, the associated increase in costs must be offset by an equivalent gain in sales revenue -- and by extension saleable/rentable area -- hence the bolstered tower heights."

Urbanics Consultants president and CEO Phil Boname, who gave a copy of the new report to The NOW, was unavailable for comment Thursday.

However, minutes of the city's land use committee from Feb. 6, 2007 -- when Boname first made a presentation on "The Gateway at Moody Centre" -- show council members raised concerns about six issues: the alignment of the Murray-Clarke Connector; residential uses adjacent to heavy industrial uses; the highrise component of the proposal, which was not supported by official community plan (OCP) policy at the time; environmental issues; affordable housing; and smart growth.

The report addresses each concern, and also details "additional community benefits" to rationalize the increased tower heights: live-work studios for artists; a community grocery store; a "performance and presentation facility" with associated investments in lighting, acoustical design and stage space; and "improved environmental site stewardship and construction methods."

It also touts what it calls the project's "gateness," stating that while the development would not be equivalent in size or scale to NewPort Village, "The Gateway would provide a 'book-end' to Port Moody, and a proper 'entrance' to Moody Centre and the city beyond."

The project -- which has not been approved by council -- would comprise 458 residential units on a two-hectare (five-acre) piece of land bordered by Barnet Highway, Clarke, Douglas and Short streets.

Andrés Wines, built on the site in 1961, closed three years ago when Andrew Peller moved his operation to Kelowna after taking over another winery located there.

The development consortium is scheduled to speak to the city's land use committee on May 20.