Coquitlam sets stage for six-tower Burquitlam development

A transformative development consisting of six towers ranging from 29 to 53 storeys at Burquitlam is moving forward following a unanimous vote from Coquitlam council on Monday.

While council was uniformly supportive of the approximately 2,212 rental units, the complete lack of office space was a sticking point.

Given the importance of building a complete community, the city needs to “draw a line in the sand here,” according to Coun. Matt Djonlic.

“It’s not an ideal situation to be handling it this way, but this is such an important piece of land to building out the Burquitlam community. We need more of the job employment space,” he said.

Owned by Morguard real estate company, the anvil-shaped, 7.7-acre site at Clarke Road and Emerson Street is surrounded by towers, the SkyTrain, and the Safeway.

Djonlic put forward a motion that would add office space to the second phase of the project.

In opposing Djonlic’s motion, Coun. Dennis Marsden emphasized Coquitlam’s reputation for clear rules and no surprises around development.

“Tonight’s a surprise, and that goes against so much of what we’ve talked about doing right in our city,” Marsden said. “To arbitrarily, with the stroke of a pen on decision night say, ‘Yeah, no, you know what? We want to double that number but we’ll figure it out later.’ That’s not the way to do business.”

While he was sympathetic to Djonlic’s intent, Marsden maintained the city’s top priority should be rejuvenating what is now a “tired old mall” by supplying what the market needs.

Noting the density involved, Coun. Trish Mandewo backed Djonlic’s motion.

“It behooves us to really push back on this one,” she said. “We must think about building complete communities and saying: What is it that tomorrow will need?”

For several councillors, it was too late in the process to make the adjustment.

“I am not willing to change the rules at the last moment,” said Coun. Brent Asmundson.

While stipulating that he’d like to see more office space, Coun. Craig Hodge ultimately voted against Djonlic’s motion.

“You can ask for anything you just can’t have everything.”

Coun. Robert Mazzarolo differed.

“If we cannot obtain office space right beside our SkyTrain station, where are we going to get it?” Mazzarolo asked. “I’m surprised that the applicant thought that this could get through without office space.”

Council ultimately backed Djonlic’s motion in a 5-4 vote.

Following the amendment, council unanimously supported rezoning the site.

The project needs to come back before council for final approval.

The project is set to include approximately 84,000 square feet of commercial space generating about 210 jobs. The retail mall currently ringing the parking lot includes about 68,000 square feet of commercial space.

Once fully approved, the developer is set to pay the city approximately $123.1 million in development cost charges, a density bonus, and community amenity contributions, with $7 million earmarked for the city’s affordable housing reserve fund.

The project would change the streetscape, with a north-south road between Hobbis Way and Smith Avenue.

The area is also slated to become home to a new branch of the Coquitlam library.

The development includes plans for a childcare centre with space for 116 children.