The Editor,
Re. "What's with Burke development?" (Letters, The Tri-City News, Jan. 26).
I am so glad people are speaking up about some of the development on Burke Mountain. Why is it that the residents of northeast Coquitlam get it and the well-meaning councillors and city planners don't?
I am in total agreement with letter writer Angela Geveke's sentiments. Further to her points, some of the townhouses in the northeast need to use the maximum setbacks and if the townhouses are going to be a three-storey mass on the street, then perhaps the setbacks need to be increased.
In my opinion, the townhouses below David Avenue at Coast Meridian appear to be just a towering, massive, ongoing wall over the sidewalk and street. The roof lines, height and designs of buildings need to fit the location. The target has been missed in this case.
As a member of the advisory committee for the development of northeast Coquitlam (at least three years of meetings with Coquitlam city planners, developers, realtors, builders/developers), this crowding was not the vision for a liveable, sustainable development for Burke Mountain area. Yes, setbacks, number of units per housing type per acre, and number of units per block are laid out in the plans. But careful consideration must be given not only to these issues but also to the fit and placement of the townhouses and, if needed, adjusted while keeping in mind liveability and sustainability for future residents.
I ask all Coquitlam residents to take a drive and look for yourselves.
Light, view and privacy are best practice entitlements people deserve through well planned setbacks, appropriate building height for the area and appropriate amount of separation green space and landscaping. Is this an example of the tail wagging the dog? Perhaps the city could have exchanged land and left this strip as green space. After all, Coast Meridian Road is part of the gateway to Burke Mountain and northeast Coquitlam.
Welcome to Coquitlam.
Sandra Marsden, Coquitlam
