Coquitlam mulls keeping history while boosting density on Westwood

A Ranch Park heritage project will have its date in the court of public opinion.

A proposal to restore and relocate the century-old Chine residence on Westwood Street is set to be the subject of a May 12 public hearing in Coquitlam council chambers.

Located just south of Dewdney Trunk Road and across the road from the city’s boundary with Port Coquitlam, the one-and-a-half storey house was built in 1924 and was part of the neighbourhood that emerged the Westminster Junction railway station.

The proposal would split the lot into three parcels, allowing for the construction of three-single family homes and three carriage houses.

The 20 trees on the site would be removed. The applicant is proposing to plant 20 replacement trees.

Work on the Chine house includes removing a dormer and restoring the porch and chimney.

If approved, the applicant would pay the city approximately $147,000 in development cost charges and community amenity contributions.

Neighbourhood history

As plans for the transcontinental railway took shape in the 1880s, a small agricultural community sprung up around Westminster Junction, according to the city’s heritage assessment.

In the early 1920s, Vincent and Maria Chine bought what would be the second home built in the planned subdivision.

Originally from Reggio di Calabria, Vincent Chine arrived in New York just after the turn of the century and moved to Canada shortly before the First World War. Finding work with CPR, Chine settled in Port Coquitlam. Marie moved from Italy to live with Vincent in 1920.

The couple sold the house to the Lovell family in 1927.