A Burke Mountain landowner who wants to build a house on a lot he has owned for 40 years will finally be able to break ground.
In January - after two years of engineering studies by the owner - Coquitlam city council threw out Don Stubbert's plan to build a three-storey, 3,000-square foot house on a vacant lot at Burke Mountain Street and Wilkie Avenue, saying he was trying to jam too much onto the land.
Stubbert, who has owned the property since 1972, went back to the drawing board and, this week, presented a revised proposal for a smaller single-family house that, according to city documents, will be 2,125 sq. ft., is not as tall and doesn't have a secondary suite. It also has bigger setbacks from the property line.
At a development variance permit (DVP) hearing at Monday's city council meeting, Stubbert's brother, Tim, said an additional $40,000 in professional fees was spent to address city hall's concerns. And he said Stubbert wants to eventually sell his property at 3476 Wilkie Ave. to fund his retirement in Armstrong.
"He's counting on this," Tim Stubbert said. "There's nothing left to dot, there's nothing left to cross. Everything has been signed."
Wilkie Avenue neighbour Shane Peachman, who opposed the initial application in January, told council he supports the new plan.
Coun. Craig Hodge, a Burke Mountain resident and one of four council members to previously vote against Stubbert's bid, said the RS-2 zoned lot presents challenges as it's steep and is bisected by West Smiling Creek, a fish-bearing watercourse, at the southwest end, leaving a small envelope to build on at the northeast corner.
Hodge said he's happy the landowner "lowered his expectations" and made a compromise with the new home. "The plan is doable... I'm pleased to see that something is going to be built there," he said.
"My support is not because I feel bad for the applicant but because it's a better design for the community," Coun. Selina Robinson added.
City council unanimously supported the proposal (Coun. Brent Asmundson excused himself from the debate as he lives nearby).
