It’s a 315-fold housing increase.
The site currently occupied by a shuttered elementary school and nine units of housing is set to be turned into nine towers following a unanimous vote from Coquitlam council Monday night.
With highrises ranging from 24 to 51 storeys, the development is set to include 2,835 units of housing.
Local news that matters to you
No one covers the Tri-Cities like we do. But we need your help to keep our community journalism sustainable.
Located east of Balmoral Drive between Barnet Highway and Guildford Drive, the 11.3 acre site is about 450-metres from SkyTrain and a 10-minute walk from Port Moody’s pending Coronation Park project.
During a lengthy public hearing, council heard from numerous supporters as well as residents concerned about traffic and livability.
The towers are unsuitable for families with small children, Yvonne Harris told council.
“Skyscrapers do not allow [children] to go outside unattended,” Harris said. “Why is Coquitlam determined to build only skyscrapers when they should be building townhouses and [mid-rise] buildings?”
Traffic
The project includes 3,390 underground parking spots and may contribute to local gridlock.
“Yes, traffic is going to get worse,” acknowledged Coun. Teri Towner.
However, if the city creates 15-minute communities where people can walk, bike or take transit to their appointments, then the project will be a boon for both environmentally and in terms of livability, Towner explained.
‘Young blood and new business’
The prospect of more housing and an estimated 30-50 permanent jobs also garnered enthusiasm from many speakers.
The development means “young blood and new business,” according to Port Moody resident Margo Bates.
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce CEO Leslie Courchesne heralded the “massive and exciting” proposal for shaping: “a new gateway to Coquitlam along the Barnet Highway.”
GardenWorks president Leanne Johnson emphasized the anticipation among store employees who looked forward to living near transit and walking to work.
“They work in retail, so they’re not making a fortune,” Johnson said. “This development was pretty exciting for our team.”
Over in Port Moody
Couns. Robert Mazzarolo and Dennis Marsden each touched on the project’s proximity to Port Moody.
“It’ll be very interesting when Port Moody finally finds out what they want on the other side of the street,” Mazzarolo said.
“Who knows what they’re going to do in the end?” Marsden asked regarding Port Moody. “The bottom line is, we need housing.”
‘The best place to put housing’
Mayor Richard Stewart concurred, adding that the best place to supply housing is near transit.
“We need, as a province, to step up and make sure we have housing. The best place to put housing is near rapid transit so that we can reduce reliance on a private automobile,” Stewart said.
The project consists of three rental towers totalling 785 units and another six condo towers with 2,050 units.
While council’s support was unanimous, two councillors made requests of Polygon development company.
The project, which has a construction value of $956 million, is set to include 210 below-market units. Given the severity of the housing crisis, Coun. Matt Djonlic asked for some of those units to be moved to the top of the construction queue.
Coun. Trish Mandewo praised the development, while gently chiding the developer for failing to include tennis or pickleball.
Breakdown
- Studios: 142
- One-bedroom units: 568 (including 284 with a den)
- Two-bedroom units: 1,843
- Three-bedroom units: 284
Cash on the table
Polygon is expected to be on the hook for about $155 million in payments to the city. The lion’s share of that cash, about $138.2 million, covers the cost of for density bonus and development charges. Approximately $9.8 million is earmarked for city-owned land, $3.1 million would go toward helping the city deal with increased transportation demand and another $590,000 would go to the city’s child care fund. Those estimates are preliminary.
Child care
The development is expected to house about 583 children. Polygon is planning to provide 79 childcare space – 73 fewer than what is likely needed, according to a city staff report.
Park and trees
Approximately 385 trees – 346 on the site and another 39 on adjacent properties – may be chopped down to make way for the project. Polygon will be required to provide replacement trees.
The development includes a one-acre park at the site’s northwest corner.
The project requires one more formal vote from council before shovels can hit the ground.
