Burke Mountain residents were told they would get a community centre and a school. Instead, they’ll settle for a park and more development for a parcel of land on Riley Street.
Coquitlam council voted in favour of re-designating a 20-acre property between Gislason and David avenues that will pave the way for new townhouses, single-family homes and a 3.5-acre green space.
School District 43 has said it no longer needs the site, which was slated for a school, and the city has decided to move the proposed community centre down the road to Partington Creek.
Council’s decision was not welcomed by residents who spoke during a lengthy public hearing Monday evening, with many speakers saying they purchased their homes in the belief that the amenities would be forthcoming.
“It goes against what everyone bought into,” said James Sanderson, a Riley Street resident. “I didn’t just buy a house, I bought a vision for the community.”
Other residents complained that parking is already an issue on Burke, with most of the homes in the area built with only one-car garages and little space for visitors’ vehicles. With more residents expected with the new development, several speakers said the parking issues would only be exacerbated.
“I feel this is being done in haste,” said Isabel Silvestre, a Galloway Avenue resident. “I love to see development happen and a park to happen but I think we need some reflection before we keep developing.”
Despite the opposition expressed during the public hearing, council still supported the staff recommendation to re-designate the land (Coun. Bonita Zarrillo voted against the decision).
Mayor Richard Stewart said the area residents are passionate about the issue but council had to make its decision based on the fact a school would not be located on the property.
“We have to be… more cognizant of the challenges that can be created when we designate [land] for a school,” he said. “We now have to deal with the reality that this land isn’t needed for a school and the community centre is going somewhere else.”
Raul Allueva, the city’s general manager of parks, recreation and culture, told council that in the larger planning context, Burke Mountain and Partington Creek will have sufficient recreation amenities and green space. He pointed to improvements at Victoria Park and plans for a future 40-acre green space currently referred to as Fremont Park. Adding to that is the Gilleys Trail site and a future eight-acre site of a Partington Creek community centre.
“We are going to be very well served,” Allueva said. “We are trying to keep up with the population in this area. I think the community will be pleased as these come online.”
Council also voted in favour of a notice of motion that would look at moving the planning process for the new 3.5-acre park on Riley Street higher up the city’s priority list.
School placement has been an issue on Burke Mountain for years. In 2002, eight schools were projected for the area, which is expected to grow by 30,000 people, including 2,500 to 3,000 students, in the next 15 to 20 years. But the list of school sites shrank due to the increasing costs of land, construction and maintenance, making it difficult to build and operate smaller facilities.
In June, School District 43 announced it had secured land for five schools on four parcels, ending the years of uncertainty. The current plans include three elementary schools — Smiling Creek, Sheffield and Marigold — on three separate parcels of land plus a middle and secondary school on a fourth property.
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