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From six to 251: Coquitlam adds density to Burquitlam

Following a public hearing, council passed both projects without discussion

Two public hearings down and two projects going up.

In addition to approving the Lea Avenue townhouse development, council unanimously approved two Burquitlam area developments totalling 251 units during Monday’s meeting.

The one objection came regarding the amount of one-bedroom units in a 201-unit development earmarked for nine vacant lots at Como Lake Avenue and Robinson Street.

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The two six-storey buildings are designed to include a total of 115 one-bedroom and studio units; excessive for a family-oriented community, according to neighbour Doug Johnson.

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“I feel it could be better,” Johnson said, urging council to reject the development in favour of something more “family-friendly.”

Six-storey market condominium

  • Total units: 92
  • One-bedroom units: 51
  • Two-bedroom units: 30
  • Three bedroom units: 11

Six-storey market rental building

  • Total units: 109
  • Studio/one-bedroom units: 64
  • Two-bedroom units: 34
  • Three-bedroom units: 11

Cash on the table: The project is expected to generate about $2.61 million for Coquitlam through development cost charges and community amenity contributions.

development-delayed
image supplied

Five minutes away

About a five-minute walk from the first development site, Coquitlam council also approved a five-building, 50-unit townhouse project replacing six single-family houses at Grover and Regan avenues.

The project was previously delayed over concerns the site looked like “a dumping ground,” according to Mayor Richard Stewart. However, Stewart commended the applicant for being responsive to council’s cleanliness concerns during Monday’s meeting.

Breakdown

  • One-bedroom units: 11
  • Three-bedroom units: 38 (11 with dens)
  • Four-bedroom units: 1
  • Parking spots: 69

Cash on the table

The development is expected to generate a total of approximately $765,000 for Coquitlam through both development cost charges and community amenity contributions.

Trees

The applicant plans to fell 19 of the 21 trees in the area to facilitate the parkade and road widening. The applicant would plant 60 replacement trees, along with shrubs.

Procedure

Following the public hearing, council approved both projects without discussion. Each application needs one more formal vote from council before construction can start.

Author

A chiropractor and a folk singer, after having one great kid, decided to push their luck and have one more, a boy they named Jeremy Shepherd.

Shepherd grew up around Blue Mountain Park in Coquitlam, following a basketball around and trying his best to get to the NBA (it didn’t work out, at least not yet).

With no career plans after graduating Porter Elementary school, Jeremy Shepherd pursued higher education at Como Lake Middle School and eventually, Centennial High School.

Approximately 1,000 movies and several beers later in life, Shepherd made a change.

Having done nothing worth writing, he decided to see if he could write something worth reading.

Since graduating journalism school at Langara College, Shepherd has been a reporter, editor and, reluctantly, a content provider for community newspapers around Metro Vancouver for more than 10 years.

He worked with dogged reporters, eloquently indignant curmudgeons and creative photographers, all of whom shared a little of what they knew.

Now, as he goes about the business of raising two fascinating humans alongside a wonderful partner, Shepherd is delighted to report news and tell stories in the Tri-Cities.

He runs, reads, and is intrigued by art, science, smart cities and new ideas. He is pleased to meet you.