‘Manifestly ridiculous’ Coquitlam council blisters province for failing to facilitate development

Much like a child at Christmas, Coquitlam is waiting for parcels to arrive.

In November 2023, Coquitlam council approved a proposal to add four six-storey apartments totalling 327 units on Delestre and Sunset avenues, as well as Loring Street.

However, before any shovels can hit the ground, developer Ledingham-McAllister needs to acquire two plots owned by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit to clear the way for an Alderson Avenue extension.

The lands have not yet been acquired.

Unable to build that road extension, the developer asked for a one-year extension.

While council unanimously approved the extension, several councillors noted the irony of the province issuing housing targets for the city while failing to facilitate this housing project.

“This is manifestly ridiculous,” Coun. Robert Mazzarolo said.

People could be living in the development by now, Mazzarolo added, blaming the province for the delay.

“This is a tremendous failure on their part and continues to be a failure every day that this goes on.”

There are four other projects totalling approximately 1,250 units earmarked for the lower Lougheed area, said Coquitlam’s general manager of planning and development Andrew Merrill. However, until those two parcels are turned over by the province none of those projects can move forward.

The two parcels are the key to the road extension as well as the sanitary sewer beneath the road.

“Is there light at the end of the labyrinth that is the Ministry of Transportation when it comes to getting land transferred?” inquired Coun. Matt Djonlic.

While there have been talks, the situation is complicated and First Nations consultation is required, according to city staff.

However, staff are imploring the province to find a solution and will likely have an update in the next few weeks, added chief administrative officer Raul Allueva.

The city should take their grievance to social media, suggested Coun. Trish Mandewo.

“The province seems to respond more to social media than they do to letters,” she said.

The extension may offer a chance to revise the project, according to Coun. Brent Asmundson, who suggested stuff nudge the applicant to incorporate daycare into the project.

The development would likely be home for about 66 children, 17 of whom would require childcare, according to a previous city staff report.

The developer is slated to pay the city a total of approximately $11 million for development cost charges and community amenity contributions as well as the disposition of surplus roads.

Unit breakdown

Studio and one-bedroom units: 82 (including 54 with dens)
Two-bedroom units: 208
Three-bedroom units: 37

Unit size ranges from 450 square feet for a studio to 990 square feet for a three-bedroom unit.

Parking

The project is set to include 425 parking stalls in a two-level underground garage.