A public hearing will be held next month for Coquitlam city council to consider adding more than 600 homes in the booming neighbourhoods of Oakdale and Burke Mountain.
Last Monday (May 15), city council unanimously gave first reading to three development bids to listen to the community’s comments on June 5:
- Rize Alliance (Oakdale)
- Applying to build a 38-storey market residential tower with 364 units, a six-storey market residential mid-rise with 40 units and two six-storey rental buildings with 163 units at 595–609 Westley Ave., 639 Elmwood St. and 600–616 Kemsley Ave.
- Morningsun Homes
- Proposing a 16-unit multiplex development for 1230 Mitchell St. on Burke Mountain
- Morningstar Homes
- Planning 29 single-family residential lots, five duplex lots and a townhouse lot at 3409, 3411, 3415, 3421 and 3455 Galloway Ave. on Burke Mountain
For the Oakdale application, the company proposes 137 market rental and 26 below-market rental units in its two rental buildings, said Andrew Merrill, Coquitlam's director of development services.
If approved, the development — located roughly 1,600 feet from the Burquitlam SkyTrain station — would consolidate 11 properties; there would also be a roundabout, and Kemsley Avenue and Elmwood Street would be widened in the area that also has multiple active bids.
The Rize Alliance plans would also see about 112 children in its complexes, as estimated by Coquitlam planners; however, the company is paying the city $194,000 in lieu of the childcare spaces — a move opposed by Coun. Brent Asmundson.
If green-lighted, the Oakdale development would also generate for the municipality:
- $12.6 million in development cost charges
- $12.1 million in density bonuses
- $2.1 million in lieu for parking restrictions
- $521,000 in community amenity contributions
- $11,000 for the transportation demand management monitoring fund
Meanwhile, as for the Morningsun Homes application, of which Coun. Robert Mazzarolo recused himself from the vote for potential conflict of interest reasons, the company wants to rezone a vacant property at 1230 Mitchell St. for 16 homes in five residential buildings.
Still, like the Oakdale bid, Morningsun is offering cash in lieu to make up for its missing two childcare spaces on site.
Should that application proceed, it would bring in for the city:
- $595,000 in development cost charges
- $177,000 in community amenity contributions
- $37,000 toward the Child Care Reserve Fund
And, for the Morningstar Homes plan, the company offering 29 single-family lots, five duplex lots, a townhouse lot plus a park lot and stream side protection measures close to Smiling Creek Elementary School.
The 12-acre site, which slopes 108 feet from the northeastern to southwestern corners and has a non-fish bearing tributary, will require rock blasting before construction begins.
"What's that going to look like and, more importantly, feel like?" Mazzarolo said, asking city staff for more information before the public hearing, as well as the area history.
If OK'd, the municipality would yield from Morningstar Homes:
- $2 million in development cost charges
- $214,000 in community amenity contributions
- $56,000 toward the Child Care Reserve Fund
The City of Coquitlam recently received a petition from Paquette Street residents with more than 120 names to nix the Morningstar plan.
To have your say at the public hearing on June 5, you're asked to call 604-927-3010 or visit the City of Coquitlam's website to register.
The event takes place at 7 p.m. that evening at Coquitlam city hall (3000 Guildford Way).
