A bid to build 422 apartments in south Coquitlam will go out for public comment this month.
City council granted first reading to McAllister Communities Ltd. last Monday for Ledingham McAllister to construct four buildings on 21 parcels: 19 single-family lots, a duplex and a lane.
It also plans to close Euclid Court for the development along Alderson and Sunset avenues and Euclid Court, and to extend Alderson Avenue — from Dunlop Street to Delestre Avenue.
A public hearing on the proposal is set for Oct. 18 at city hall, starting at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
In his report, Andrew Merrill, Coquitlam’s development services director, wrote that the six-storey structures will share a parkade, and 15 per cent of the units will have three bedrooms.
As well, the company is now in discussions with the BC Transportation and Finance Authority to purchase five of its properties that are close to Highway 1, a SkyTrain line and a rail route.
The company has also yet to wrap up its consultations with First Nations for the “Sierra.”
If approved by council, the city stands to gain $5.3 million in development cost charges, $981,000 in community amenity contributions and $4.9 million for the road and lane sales.
It’s not the only major development in the area for Ledingham McAllister, as the company is also proposing — in a separate bid that council has yet to review — another 327 apartments in four buildings called the “Sienna.” If OK’d, those units are to be built on another 14 lots.
Asked by Coun. Steve Kim about the renters that will be impacted by the Sierra, of which 16 have short-term leases and five have longterm deals, Merrill said they won’t be eligible for help under the city’s tenant relocation policy, as those homes aren’t purpose-built rentals.
And Kim, along with councillors Brent Asmundson, Chris Wilson, Craig Hodge and Trish Mandewo, pressed city staff to ensure the development includes childcare, as the Sierra and Sienna will have a combined 749 homes — accommodating about 2,000 residents.
Mandewo also called for a bigger courtyard at the Sierra, as “COVID has taught us a lesson.”
As for the nearby rail and vehicle noise, Merrill said the company will have to follow guidelines in the official community plan and development permits to muffle the sounds for residents.
