The lack of housing mix and childcare in two big developments proposed near Coquitlam SkyTrain stations were common themes for city council this week.
On Monday (June 12), council gave first reading to the bids for City Centre and Burquitlam to send them to public hearing on July 10, but raised concerns.
Polygon plans to build three six-storey residential buildings with 284 market units at 1160 Inlet St. — about five blocks from the Lafarge Lake–Douglas station.
The development, if approved after the public hearing, would be constructed on the western side of Inlet Street, south of Ozada Avenue, and would have:
- six one-bedroom units
- 28 one-bedroom units plus den
- 197 two-bedroom units
- 23 two-bedroom units plus den
- 24 three-bedroom units
- six three-bedroom units plus den
Currently, the 2.56-acre site has 36 strata townhomes, of which the owners recently voted to wind-up the strata and sell the land to Polygon, wrote Andrew Merrill, Coquitlam’s director of development services, in his June 5 report to council.
It’s about to be a very busy area, he added, noting three active bids:
- to the north, Anthem Properties plan to build two six-storey market rental apartment buildings with 195 at 1184 Inlet St.
- to the south, Metro Vancouver is proposing five six-storey apartment buildings with 475 affordable rental homes
- to the west, Ledingham McAllister is developing a 25-storey tower
Coun. Matt Djonlic said the Polygon development is within walking distance to SkyTrain and the neighbourhood has lots of amenities, making it good for below-market rental housing.
And Coun. Brent Asmundson criticized Polygon for not providing childcare spaces in its proposal; instead, the company will pay $285,000 to the city’s child care reserve fund to address demand for the expected 57 children who will live there.
As well, Polygon will contribute to the municipality:
- $5.6 million in development cost charges
- $717,000 in community amenity contributions
- $5,700 for the transportation demand management monitoring fund
Meanwhile, Nonni Properties Inc. received the same reprimand from council about its lack of below-market units and on-site child care spaces.
The developer, which received first reading for its application with Coun. Robert Mazzarolo opposing, plans to build a six-storey purpose-built rental building with 93 units.
The bid for 609, 611 and 613 Smith Ave., close to the Burquitlam Plaza and SkyTrain station, calls for:
- 34 junior one-bedroom units
- 12 one-bedroom units
- 18 one-bedroom units plus den
- 13 two-bedroom units
- six two-bedroom units plus den
- 10 three-bedroom units
Currently, there’s a home on the 23,653 sq. ft. site that will be razed if the project moves forward, Merrill wrote in his report.
And, like the Inlet bid, the Burquitlam location has plenty of upcoming construction: to the southeast, Polygon plans two six-storey apartment buildings at 622–640 Smith Ave. and, to the west, Morguard is proposing six towers at Burquitlam Plaza.
Djonlic said he’d like to see city staff talk to Nonni officials about a possible a parking variance in exchange for below-market housing.
And Coun. Dennis Marsden said he’s concerned that about one-third of the units will be junior one-bedroom homes. “It exceeds the amount we allow.”
Couns. Teri Towner and Craig Hodge said while the building is close to Simon Fraser University, they’re also worried about the housing mix for the rentals.
In addition, Asmundson pressed for onsite childcare for the 19 kids expected to call the mid-rise home.
If approved, the Nonni proposal would generate for the city:
- $2 million in development cost charges
- $115,000 in community amenity contributions
- $59,000 for the child care reserve fund
- $1,900 for the transportation demand monitoring fund
Do you want to have your say about these planned developments? Register via coquitlam.ca/publichearing for the July 10 meeting at Coquitlam City Hall.
