Provincial government changes brought forward last fall that aim to ease the housing crisis will continue to drive Coquitlam’s agenda next year.
That was the message from city managers last week as council got a peek at the draft 2025 Business Plan to guide civic focus and spending.
In his presentation before the Strategic Priorities committee, Graham Stuart, Coquitlam’s director of corporate planning, said the proposal will come to council in early December for approval in conjunction with the 2025 budget.
The Business Plan sets out 14 top targets for city hall in the new year that, in general, have a high budget or resource impact; strong council or community interest; and external dependencies and/or legislative requirements:
- Accessibility and Inclusion Plan
- Building Permit Digitization and Portal Development
- Burke Mountain Athletic Park Design and Construction
- Climate Action Plan
- New Development Financing Framework
- Northeast Community Centre and Park Design
- Official Community Plan Review
- Planet Ice Future Planning
- Rental Incentives Program Review
- Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Program
- Sports Field Strategy Update
- Strategic Transportation Plan Update
- Technology Modernization Strategy
- Transit-Oriented Areas Update
The “B” priorities, which may be deferred, are:
- Cedar Drive Utility and Road Construction
- Community Safety Strategy
- Corporate Partners Program and Sponsorship Policy Review
- Demolition and Deconstruction Policies
- Emergency and Disaster Management Act Implementation Strategy
- Festivals and Events Strategy
- Financial Systems Modernization
- Fraser Mills Community Centre and Park Planning
- Infrastructure Funding Gap Review
- Joint Coquitlam and KFN Flood Mitigation Design
- Major Recreation and Cultural Facilities Roadmap
- Road Safety Strategy
- Talent and Retention Strategy
- Town Centre Park Master Plan
And “C” priorities listed in the draft plan are:
- Art in Public Spaces Plan
- Blue Mountain Park Master Plan
- Building Safer Communities Program
- Fees, Rates and Charges Review
- Glen Park Improvements Planning
- Nelson Micromobility Capital Project
- Pipeline Road Improvements
- Streetscape Enhancement Projects
- Urban Forest Management Strategy
But, despite the provincial mandates, some councillors voiced frustration about the lack of movement on a few civic files such as the development of a Heritage Management Strategy and the Hazel–Coy Neighbourhood Plan.
Coun. Craig Hodge called both pieces “foundational” as the city grows and more pressure is put on single-family lots to add homes. He warned Coquitlam could lose heritage houses if a municipal plan isn’t in place and builders look to assemble residential properties.
Still, city manager Raul Allueva said the Heritage Management Strategy falls with the planning and development department, which is currently taxed with incorporating the new provincial housing legislation into municipal policy. He said council will be updated this fall about when the heritage strategy will be back on track.
Coun. Steve Kim pressed for more public engagement next year to ensure residents are aware of the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Program.
“This is going to take some effort to fully understand,” he said.
Coun. Brent Asmundson also took issue with the Infrastructure Funding Gap Review not happening in 2025; he estimates the gap at $23 million, which he fears will balloon for future generations the longer it’s put off. Deputy city manager Michelle Hunt said the review work is now underway, with most departments surveying their assets next year.
Committee chairperson Coun. Dennis Marsden said with city hall’s uncertainty for cash flows, council and staff should “look hard at where we are spending our money” on capital projects. For example, the streetscape program to update roads with bigger sidewalks and micromobility lanes has had pushback in older neighbourhoods, he said.
But Hodge said he’s pleased that improvements along Pipeline Road — following the completion of Phase 1 of the Metro Vancouver water main project in early 2025 — will be happening next year, while Coun. Teri Towner thanked city managers for advancing the Community Safety Strategy.
“We are pushing along here and doing the best that we can do,” she said, referring to the draft 2025 Business Plan plus the creation of the community safety department and the Road Safety Strategy.
“This council and the city take safety very seriously.”
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