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Developer plans second major housing site for this Coquitlam neighbourhood

Two bids from the same company will go to public hearing at Coquitlam city hall on Monday (July 25).

A developer planning to build a 44-storey tower on the Coquitlam-Burnaby border is also eyeing 12 lots for new homes in the Oakdale neighbourhood.

Qualex–Landmark is proposing three six-storey apartment buildings and a four-storey stacked townhouse complex at 580-600 Harrison Ave. and 581-601 Kemsley Ave.

Of the 239 homes, the apartment buildings would have:

  • 39 one-bedroom units
  • 81 one-bedroom and den units
  • 81 two-bedroom units
  • 22 three-bedroom units

As well, there would be a ground-floor commercial unit for a café, while the townhouse complex would have 14 two-bedroom units and two three-bedroom units over a shared parkade.

The plan also calls for a new road (Gardena Drive) to be built through the western part of the site to link Wesley and Harrison avenues.

City council unanimously gave the bid first reading at its July 4 meeting to send the application to public hearing, which is set for city hall on Monday (July 25) at 7 p.m.

If approved for fourth and final reading, the proposed development would generate $3 million in development cost charges, as well as $557,000 for community amenities, $268,000 for transportation demand management and $208,000 in child care contributions.

Coun. Brent Asmundson said he’s pleased the city is now collecting cash as part of its newly adopted Child Care Partnership Strategy; however, he questioned how the municipality plans to use the funds to accommodate young children in Coquitlam.

Don Luymes, general manager of planning and development, said the city’s intention is that the reserve will "augment provincial funds to fit out space."

Coun. Steve Kim said the commercial space would act as a community hub, and he praised the developer for reaching out to the Oakdale Residents Association, especially about future storm water infrastructure.

Kim said he’s also encouraged by Qualex–Landmark’s proposal for landscaping on the site, which slopes east to west by 33 feet.

Of the 47 trees to be chopped, 199 trees will be planted, according to a report from Andrew Merrill, Coquitlam’s director of development services.

Meanwhile, Qualex-Landmark’s plan for a 44-storey tower and a six-storey concrete complex in Oakdale — totalling 446 residential units 803, 805, and 807 North Rd., and 603, 607, 613 and 617 Tyndall St. — will also move to public hearing on July 25.