The cost of land is skyrocketing, especially in neighbourhoods where rapid transit is close by, therefore the cities have to have a multi-pronged approach to ensure that families with moderate incomes aren't priced out.
That means looking at each neighbourhood and trying to figure out what would work best.
Obviously, towers are the way to go near the Evergreen Extension. But what about neighbourhoods that are a bus ride away from SkyTrain. What can be done for them?
(As well, not everyone wants to live in a condo and families are particularly challenged in living in units where everything is an elevator ride away.)
The three cities have some interesting approaches that are worth acknowledging.
In Port Moody, the city is considering narrow-lot subdivisions in established neighbourhoods such as Moody Centre. Such a policy, if carefully vetted to ensure house size and density don't overwhelm the neighbourhood, could preserve the city's character and keep the pace of growth moderate.
Port Coquitlam is considering similar changes with coach houses, smaller lots and expanding areas where duplexes and secondary suites can be built. Further work on this policy is expected later this month.
Coquitlam also adopted its own housing choices policy to provide sensitive infill in its southwestern neighbourhoods. Of late, we are also seeing a trend to using Heritage Revitalization Agreements in Port Moody and Coquitlam where developers get additional density when they restore and protect a heritage property.
As land prices rise, developers are also looking at maximizing the potential of traditional single-family lots with an array of carriage houses on top of garages, duplexes and secondary suites.
This kind of housing not only provides more options at a price less expensive than a detached homes but it also has the additional advantage keeping families in established neighbourhoods, protecting school enrolment and generating opportunities for revitalizing local parks (Rochester and Mackin parks come to mind).
In the end, the goal should be to avoid cookie cutter approaches to housing and provide more choices for residents while also keeping some of the local neighbourhood character.
