The Editor,
I noticed just before the official election period there were an inordinate number of pages in The Tri-City News dedicated to the city of Coquitlam advertising public hearings related to zoning bylaw changes, particularly building height amendments.
To me, this was an attempt to get things passed in the last days of a four-year term. That was the last term that developers may have expected to realize a good rate of return on their investment in council election campaigns. Though there are many loopholes, I sincerely hope the current donation rules somewhat level the playing field.
In case they don’t, I concur in large part with comments by letter writer Felix Thijssen (“‘Ruthless’ chopping will factor in voting,” The Tri-City News, Sept. 12). The gist of his letter was that if you do not like the way Coquitlam has changed, do not expect different results if you do not vote for different people.
Four more years of rule by a council whose majority has proven to be height-challenged concerns me. The challenge was met to formally allow 36-foot residential roofline heights, the highest in B.C.
The challenge was met to formally allow, at 45% with no floor area ratio limit, the largest allowable residential lot coverage in B.C. The challenge was met to block the most sunlight from the most people by way of too tall condo towers in too many locations.
Concessions made by developers for “affordable” or fully accessible units by way of densification are far too few, yet get received with over-the-top enthusiasm by council. Coquitlam is now on par with Burnaby when it comes to demovictions and real estate land assemblies.
It is time for a council meeting to end with “council directs staff” rather than “council votes in favour of the recommendation of staff that has had many meetings with developers and has watched many PowerPoint presentations.”
I don’t get to vote for staff. I can vote for a new council.
Ken Holowanky, Coquitlam
