Plans to add more homes around Burke Mountain Village in Coquitlam will go out for public comment this month.
On Monday (April 4), city council unanimously gave first readings to change the land-use designations at the following addresses:
- 3639 Crouch Ave.
- 3512 David Ave.
- 3561 Gislason Ave.
- 1381 Mitchell St.
- 1387 Mitchell St.
Other unaddressed city-owned properties were also part of the conversation that's set to increase the residential density around the yet-unbuilt commercial core, located in the Partington Creek neighbourhood.
The city’s lands and real estate division wants to switch the land use from townhomes to mid-level apartment blocks.
It’s proposing two medium density apartment residential lots plus three townhouse residential lots, two public park lots, one lot for watercourse protection and six lots for future rezoning and subdivision.
“I think this is a good approach,” said Coun. Brent Asmundson who moved first reading, with Coun. Teri Towner seconding.
“I think bringing in mid-rise allows a less-expensive type of housing to be brought into this area.”
According to a report, the city mailed 473 letters to surrounding residents about the OCP and rezoning plans; it received 16 letters in response — all in opposition, citing traffic and street parking concerns, as well as impact to the neighbourhood character and the loss of trees.
Besides the mail out, the city held two Q&A sessions over the spring break: the virtual talk on March 18 saw more than 50 attendees, while the in-person meeting on March 21 at the Discovery Centre drew 60 people.
As for the views for the existing single-family homes north of David Avenue, Asmundson said the three-storey apartment blocks will be the same height as the three-storey townhouses now on the books.
Coun. Dennis Marsden also pressed city staff to address, at public hearing, the lack of public transit service on Burke Mountain.
Cities are responsible for the amenities in new neighbourhoods, Mayor Richard Stewart added, but “the only two that we don’t have jurisdiction over are schools and transit.”
As for childcare spaces for the future residents, city staff say the 34 spots will be sited at the future Burke Mountain Village.
"This application to amend the Official Community Plan (OCP) introduces new housing types to Burke Mountain, creating a broader range of housing options for families, young couples, seniors and empty nesters that will help to support the future village centre," Andrew Merrill, Coquitlam's director of development services, told the Tri-City News on April 7.
"The proposal also increases the size of new public parks to be three times larger than originally planned, as well as enhancing protected environmental areas on the mountain by establishing a larger Streamside Protection & Enhancement Area (SPEA) and headwater zone around Baycrest Creek."
Merrill added, "The environmental report focused on the riparian areas of Baycrest Creek and found 19 hazard trees that needed to be removed and required 76 new trees to reforest the environmental area next to the creek. The number of trees to be removed and replaced on the developable lots will be determined when the individual development permits come in from the future developers."
If approved following the public hearing on April 25, the proposed residential development would generate up to $2 million in Community Amenity Contributions for the city plus up to $4 million more than previously anticipated for the city’s Land Sale Reserve Investment Fund.
City council dipped into that fund this week to pay for $250,000 worth of new and expanded park and recreation projects this year.
To take part in the April 25 public hearing at Coquitlam city hall (3000 Guildford Way), you can click here to register.
