There have been so many changes since the original Northeast Coquitlam Area Plan was conceived that Burke Mountain residents could be forgiven if they think there has been no plan at all.
A case in point is Monday's public hearing on re-designating land on Riley Street for townhouses, single-family homes and a 3.5-acre park instead of the previously promised school and community centre. Though these projects were still down the road, it must have come as a shock for many to see this large parcel zoned mostly for housing.
But it may not be entirely fair to label the city as a money-grubbing land developer because it was the school district that decided not to build a school there. As well, with viable land for housing at a premium in the region, smaller-lot housing may have been the most practical use, with funds raised to pay for much needed community assets, including the community centre now planned for Partington Creek.
Still, with Partington Creek only in the planning stages, residents can be forgiven, yet again, for being upset about not getting what they were promised.
