A new, modern-looking office building planned for the gateway of Coquitlam's oldest neighbourhood has some city councillors wondering if it's the right fit for the francophone enclave.
Last week, city council gave first reading to rezone the long-vacant property at the northwest corner of Blue Mountain Street and Lougheed Highway; a public hearing will be held Feb. 27.
While some councillors praised the sleek architecture for the four-storey building proposed by Newgen Real Estate Development Inc., others said it isn't consistent with the French-Canadian heritage style sought for Maillardville, which has been undergoing a revitalization.
Coun. Craig Hodge said he heard loud and clear at a recent Maillardville Commercial and Cultural Revitalization Advisory Committee meeting that the community wants more of a French flair for new and redeveloped buildings in the area. Hodge cited an open house he attended for Bluetree Homes, which is proposing an apartment block on Lebleu Street with a strong French feel.
By comparison, Hodge said, the Newgen building "is a great-looking building, but it's something you would see more on Glen [Drive] or United [Boulevard] than in Maillardville."
Coun. Selina Robinson said she, too, would like to see more a more uniform approach to Maillardville architecture, but stressed the style should be distinct and "authentic."
Jim McIntyre, Coquitlam's general manager of planning, said the design guidelines for Maillardville apply more to multi-family residential buildings than to commercial/office complexes. And the mix of modern and French styles is encouraged to avoid a kind of "theme-park" look.
"I'm not sure if that's desired," McIntyre said at the Feb. 6 council-in-committee meeting.
Community planning manager Bruce Irvine acknowledged the Maillardville design guidelines need clarification to avoid mistakes being repeated. McIntryre said the guidelines have evolved and been interpreted differently by builders - some of whom haven't incorporated heritage elements.
Mayor Richard Stewart said he looks forward to the Maillardville Neighbourhood Plan being updated this year. "We have made repeated attempts over the years. Now, we have a realistic plan with achievable goals to do what's necessary to get there," he said. "People in Maillardville have been talking about revitalization most of my life. This time, we have the capacity to achieve it."
Meanwhile, the city has scheduled two public meetings on Maillardville urban design:
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Rochester elementary school library (411 Schoolhouse St.)
Saturday, Feb. 25, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Maillard middle school (1300 Rochester Ave.); registration is required by calling 604-927-3400 or emailing [email protected].
