Townhouse development shows ‘utter disregard’ for habitat, say Burke Mountain residents

Despite strong objections from many Burke Mountain residents, Coquitlam council voted unanimously to advance a 92-unit townhouse project Monday.

Instead of preserving the open spaces that define Burke Mountain, residents are seeing “mass build” and “utter disregard” for plant and animal habitat, according to a letter to council written by resident Andriana Kowalchuk.

“Our interest is to preserve the forested area and maintain the value of the homes we purchased,” Kowalchuk wrote.

More than 70 Burke Mountain residents signed a petition opposing the development.

The project consists of 21 buildings spread 5.6 acres north of Galloway Avenue. The buildings will cover 27 percent of the site, according to the city staff report.

Of particular concern for Kowalchuk were the 17 townhouses set to be built just west of the houses on Kingston Street.

“We strongly feel the removal of the trees, additional plant life and natural surroundings . . . to build the 17 unnecessary townhomes (to maximize profit) will negatively impact the animals we witness year after year live, breed and pass through the area in question,” Kowalchuk wrote.

Mayor Richard Stewart briefly addressed the criticism Monday.

“We are in a housing crisis. There is no such thing as an unnecessary townhome or an unnecessary home,” he said.

The site is divided by a Smiling Creek tributary. It is not a fish-bearing waterway, according to a city staff report.

The project requires one more vote from council before construction can begin. However, site preparation including rock blasting can begin.

Coun. Dennis Marsden advised the developer to monitor community Facebook pages and to come up with a construction management plan to minimize disruptions, such as suspending certain work during school pickup times.

Council discussed an earlier iteration of the project in the spring of 2023. That project, which spanned 12 acres, was set to include the townhouse development along with29 single family residential lots, five duplex lots, as well as a streamside protection area and a park lot.

While Mazzarolo was supportive of adding townhouses to Burke Mountain, he voiced concern about projects being split.

The practise could allow a developer to propose one “very positive” project alongside something that is “not really stomach-able,” using the good project to get the “not quite good” project over the finish line, he said.

The project includes 72 three-bedroom townhouses and 20 with four bedrooms.

Approximately 50 children are expected to live in the development. Rather than providing childcare, the developer is set to contribute cash to the city’s child care reserve fund.

The property is owned by Infinity Properties. Development company Morningstar Homes Ltd. is listed as the applicant on behalf of property owner Infinity Properties.

If ultimately approved, the developer would likely pay the city approximately $6.29 million in community amenity contributions and development cost charges.