Residents of a Coquitlam neighbourhood who battled to stop three highrises from being built in their area say they're not happy with the developer's last-minute plans.
Last week, city council allowed Polygon Homes to proceed with a new option presented to Windsor Gate homeowners last month that would eliminate its proposal for a 37-storey tower but boost two 24-storey buildings by one storey each.
Resident Michael Picard, who lobbied against Polygon's changes to the Windsor Gate development agreement at a May public hearing, told The Tri-City News the latest option doesn't sit well with many Windsor Gate homeowners.
"There are some people who are against anything being built that's contrary to the original plan," he said Thursday, "but there are also others who are very happy the 37-storey tower won't happen at all now."
Picard said he'll continue to push Polygon for further density reductions prior to city council making its final decision on the amended agreement this fall.
Besides the elimination of the 37-storey tower, the new option would also mean a financial loss to the city: rather than $1.5 million, Polygon would contribute half of that total - $750,000 - for the Lincoln Station along the upcoming Evergreen Line and for the second phase of the Glen Park redevelopment.
As well, Option 4 wouldn't include an additional indoor amenity space due to the decrease in units; however, Polygon plans to spend $55,000 for more security at the current Nakoma Club lounge.
Located at Lincoln Avenue and Pipeline Road, Windsor Gate used to be a mobile home park called Windsor Glen.
Other Coquitlam news:
COCKTAILS
Movie-goers at Coquitlam's SilverCity theatre may soon be able to buy an alcoholic drink in the VIP lounge and take it into one of five screening rooms.
Last week, city council asked the theatre's parent company, Famous Players, to conduct a public consultation with its neighbours about the plan, though Mayor Richard Stewart noted the south industrial area is mostly made up of small businesses, not residences.
According to its proposal, Famous Players wants to serve liquor to adults at its venue, located at 170 Schoolhouse St., in its VIP restaurant/lounge as well as in its adjoining cinemas, seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. It also wants to serve alcohol to VIP patrons in their theatre seats 30 minutes before the commercials begin.
Should the liquor-primary licence application be successful, Famous Players plans to cancel its existing food-primary licence for the VIP lounge. In April, B.C.'s Liquor Control and Licensing Branch allowed movie and live-event theatres to serve alcohol in adult-only locations.
BURKE WATER
A two-acre site on Coquitlam's Burke Mountain will be prone to flooding if it's redeveloped, neighbours warned city council last week.
At a July 30 public hearing, area homeowners cautioned council that should six lots between Roxton and Darwin avenues be razed for nine new homes plus a future subdivision, there may be serious water issues when it rains - especially as West Smiling Creek bisects the land.
Burke Mountain Street residents Nick and Wendy Caldarone, as well as Shane Peachman of Wilkie Avenue, voiced concern about the run-off, saying city engineers are well aware of the problem; excess water is a common complaint at city hall as more housing is built and more trees are removed in northeast Coquitlam.
Still, at the council meeting later that night, council granted second and third reading to rezone the six properties, with Coun. Mae Reid adding she wanted to see a staff report from the engineering department about the run-off issues prior to fourth and final readings.
Meanwhile, council okayed a rezoning for 3510 Highland Dr. - also in the Smiling Creek neighbourhood on Burke Mountain - for four new single-family lots on one acre.
QTHEMAP
An online city map of Coquitlam is now easier to use.
The updated QtheMap - featuring locations of buildings, parks, streets and utilities - is now available for all devices and browsers that support the Microsoft Silverlight plug-in; aerial photo maps can also be accessed via the program.
To check it out, visit www.coquitlam.ca/city-services/city-maps.aspx.
