A former school site in Coquitlam’s City Centre neighbourhood is being readied for a high-rise.
On Monday (June 19), city council gave first reading to the rezoning bid to prepare the property next to Glen Elementary for about 296 residential units and a childcare centre for 69 kids.
In 2017, the land at 1185 Westwood St. — at the Glen Drive intersection — was transferred to the City of Coquitlam by School District 43 as part of a larger deal that also involved:
- a new artificial turf field at Centennial Secondary
- improvements and school access to Glen Park
- upgrades to several Coquitlam schools
According to a report from Andrew Merrill, Coquitlam’s director of development services, the city plans to sell the 52,000 sq. ft. parcel to a developer, if council approves the rezoning proposal after the July 10 public hearing.
If OK’d, the bid is expected to bring in for the city $6.7 million in development cost charges, $11 million in density bonuses and $391,000 in community amenity contributions, as well as payment for the city’s transportation demand management.
Johnson townhomes
Meanwhile, more multi-family homes are planned for another busy corridor in Coquitlam: Johnson Street.
Trillium Development is applying for zoning and official community plan (OCP) changes to land owned by Westwood Community Church and Augusto De Gaia Peregrino.
The company is proposing 24 three-level townhouse units at 1296 and 1298 Johnson St. — between the Westwood church and St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church — where there’s currently two single-family homes.
Still, the bid already has opposition from neighbours who cite the proposed road extension plan for Brewster Drive, lack of onsite parking and nearby amenities, church traffic and tree removal as concerns.
If OK’d by council, which gave the application first reading on Monday, the development would generate:
- $788,000 in development cost charges
- $99,900 in community amenity contributions
- $37,000 for the child care reserve fund
- $350,000 for the community amenity enhancement program (in conjunction with the OCP amendment)
Edgar multiplex
As well, council on Monday granted first reading to rezone 717 Edgar Ave. for a six-unit multiplex development north of Our Lady of Fatima Church.
According to Merrill’s report, the building on the 11,052 sq. ft. parcel would split in two, with three units in each.
The applicant and land co-owner, Lamme Zarei, will be required to upgrade the northern half of Edgar Avenue and build a new north–south lane on the eastern side of the site, which is located in the city’s Burquitlam–Lougheed Neighbourhood Plan.
If green-lighted by council, the proposal would bring in for the city $198,300 in development cost charges, $22,700 in community amenity contributions and $9,400 for the child care reserve fund.
Have you say on the three development bids at the city’s public hearing on Monday, July 10 at Coquitlam City Hall. To register, visit coquitlam.ca/publichearing.
