Although a proposed duplex in Port Coquitlam will look out of place, according to many city councillors, they felt they had no choice but to approve a development permit application for a new one to be built.
An older duplex on the lot at 4054 and 4056 Dunphy Street, just south of the city’s cemetery, has already been demolished to make way for a modern West Coast design structure in an area flush with 1960s-era homes. Since the proposed structure, which has more than 4,600 sq. ft. of floor space, fits into the zoning for the property and meets all the regulations, including not even being as big as the city’s current bylaws would allow it to be, council approved it.
“This house looks absolutely nothing like anything else on the block,” said Coun. Steve Darling at a committee of council meeting May 21. “To me it doesn’t fit into the neighbourhood at all. It’s a completely different design, different look.
“If I lived beside it I would have concerns about it. That’s where I”m struggling with it … Right now it hits all the rules, falls within guidelines, but I think it’s something in the future that we have to take note of. Are we OK with neighbourhoods changing, and if it’s for the better or not for the better.”
A staff report, however, said the quality of the building’s design along with its massing and character would be in keeping with the neighbourhood and would be “an attractive addition.”
Coun. Darrell Penner felt there was no reason to turn it down because it’s part of an evolution of neighbourhoods.
“I don’t disagree that it doesn’t match the rest of the houses, but life goes on,” said Penner. “There’s not really anything that’s sticking out that’s really bad.
“It’s not my cup of tea … but I’m not voting against it.”
Coun. Laura Dupont said she was comfortable with the modern architecture because it was the same height as the other homes on the street.
“I don’t think this is the home we should be concerned with. I don’t see it as cumbersome and overwhelming compared to the neighbours,” said Dupont.
Some councillors were concerned about the duplex having one inside parking spot and the other in the driveway to meet the requirement of having two spots per unit instead of side-by-side. Darling suggested both that issue and the character of the neighbourhood might be topics for a broader by council.
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