Six new townhomes will be built in Maillardville despite an outcry on the loss of mature trees on the property.
Citing private property rights over the public's wish to retain the trees, Coquitlam city council on Monday voted 7-2 to allow Morningstar Homes Ltd. to clear 1319 Cartier Ave. for a housing development. (Council's decision was for fourth and final reading to change the official community plan, for rezoning and to issue a development permit.)
Coun. Terry O'Neill said the city would be in trouble if it stopped Morningstar from doing what it wants on its property. He also noted the company plans to replant 19 trees onsite as well as provide landscaping; 10 new street trees will also go in the boulevard.
Still, councillors Selina Robinson, Neal Nicholson and Craig Hodge said Morningstar could have done more to save the older trees from the axe - a message that came across at last month's public hearing. The city needs to do more to preserve trees in older areas that are being redeveloped, they argued.
Meanwhile, city staff are now in the last stretch of updating the Maillardville Neighbourhood Plan; the draft document is expected to go before city council this fall, according to a report at Monday's council-in-committee meeting.
