Coquitlam OK’s 12-month delay on townhouse project as substantial changes contemplated

It might be back in a year or it might be back to the drawing board for a Coquitlam townhouse project.

Amid concerns about a cooling market and new housing legislation, Forte Living Corporation asked for a one-year delay on a three-storey stacked townhouse project earmarked for three lots on the 600-block of Harrison Avenue; somewhat to the chagrin of Coun. Craig Hodge.

“I’d really like to see this development moving ahead,” Hodge said Monday evening, noting his preference for stacked townhouses. “This is certainly taking its time.”

Council previously approved the project in November 2022. However, with that approval set to expire next month, the developer requested a delay on the project, in part to consider ramifications of new provincial housing legislation.

The province’s new housing rules allow for more density around transit hubs. Given this project’s proximity to Burquitlam SkyTrain, the 42-unit, three-storey project could be turned into an eight-storey development.

The developer is “contemplating what that means to their current assembly and whether or not they would choose to opt for that or continue with their existing project,” explained the city’s director of development services Chris Jarvie.

“I really hope they continue with the existing project,” Hodge replied. “I don’t know if this is a case where the government trying to speed up housing may actually be delaying housing by creating uncertainty.”

Several factors could be leading to some tentativeness in the market, according to the city’s general manager of planning and development Andrew Merrill, noting concerns over slow sales and rising construction costs.

“The added uncertainty of all the changes in the provincial legislation in a slow market certainly haven’t helped things,” he added.

The provincial legislation was meant to loosen zoning restriction and accelerate approvals. However, there are other macroeconomic factors at play, Merrill added.

“We should have told the minister that, when we had the multiple meetings with the minister to tell him that,” said Mayor Richard Stewart, with perhaps a touch of sarcasm.

If the project is dramatically altered, the development would need to be re-submitted and go through the city’s approval process again.

Coun. Robert Mazzarolo recused himself from the meeting.