Parking rules for new Coquitlam triplexes and fourplexes were tested this week as city council debated a bid for a strata development.
Recently, council set parking guidelines for proposals brought under Housing Choices - a strategy aimed to infill older and larger lots in Coquitlam - and set the policy at 1.5 parking spots for every unit built.
But on Monday, after a public hearing, councillors Brent Asmund-son, Craig Hodge and Mae Reid criticized Architype Design for not providing what they thought was sufficient parking for a fourplex planned for 279 Tenby St., saying the cul-de-sac is already jammed.
Hodge said he had visited the area to see the vehicles parked on the road. And he contended the area, south of Alderson Avenue, is poorly serviced by transit and new residents would need multiple cars to get around.
Still, councillors Neal Nicholson, Terry O'Neill and Selina Robinson said Architype was offering more than the minimum, providing eight on-site stalls rather than six.
"To turn [the application] down is not abiding by our own parking requirements," Robinson said, adding, "To penalize a developer who has gone above and beyond is not appropriate." Said O'Neill, "I think this is a real test here.... Our reputation is on the line. I'm voting in favour of this because it means we are going to stand by our word."
With Mayor Richard Stewart absent and Coun. Lou Sekora also in favour, council granted final reading to the rezoning.
Also on Monday, council approved a second Architype Design bid under the Housing Choices category to rezone 910 Delestre Ave. for a fourplex. The vote also came following a public hearing.
