News Flash Home
The original item was published from 2/23/2021 1:32:40 PM to 2/24/2022 12:00:00 AM.

News Flash

City News

Posted on: February 23, 2021

[ARCHIVED] Extensive Feedback Guides Next Stage of Southwest Housing Review

Southwest Coquitlam Aerial View

COQUITLAM, B.C., Feb. 23, 2021 – Community input will guide the City on creating more affordable housing, sustainable transportation and livable neighbourhoods in Southwest Coquitlam.

In one of Coquitlam’s most responded-to public engagement processes to date, more than 2,267 people participated in a survey and thousands more viewed online content in fall 2020 during Phase 1 of the Southwest Housing Review (SWHR). 

The project focuses on the 38-square-kilometre area south of Barnet Highway with some of Coquitlam’s most established and primarily single-family neighbourhoods. Continuing until 2022, the five-phase planning process aims to create more affordable housing, sustainable transportation and active corridors, and livable neighbourhoods for families.

Finding New Ways to Consult the Community 

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, more people actively participated in the SWHR’s consultation process than for any other City initiative to date. The centrepiece for the public engagement campaign has been the interactive public engagement website www.letstalkcoquitlam.ca/swhr, which offers a variety of feedback tools and project information.

Along with the 2,267 survey respondents, nearly 7,000 visits were logged for the project and engagement webpages combined, and the project video was viewed nearly 7,900 times. As part of its outreach, the City mailed more than 34,000 postcards and letters to Southwest Coquitlam residents, reached nearly 12,000 people on social media, held eight virtual information sessions, made presentations to five Council advisory committees and three external stakeholder groups, and advertised widely online, in print, on transit and in outdoor spaces. 

What the Community Said

The objective of this first phase of community engagement was to introduce the SWHR, describe the four main components, and hear from stakeholders on their interests and concerns. 

Feedback was collected on each of the four main work areas which include: 

  • reviewing land use in six identified neighbourhood pockets; 
  • developing strategies to create livable and vibrant street corridors; 
  • encouraging more smaller-scale and affordable housing options; and 
  • creating a vision of future single-family neighbourhoods that respects the history of the area and meets the the needs of both current and future residents.

Overall, the feedback showed:

  • Strong support for family-oriented housing, particularly ground-oriented options such as townhomes;
  • The importance of mitigating the potential negative effect of development on nearby homes, including parking, traffic, construction impacts and inappropriate scale and fit;
  • A desire for easy access to a wide range of amenities, including parks, recreation facilities, shops, restaurants and other services;
  • A general preference for more active lifestyles and improved pedestrian infrastructure;
  • A desire to preserve green spaces and tree canopy, particularly mature trees;
  • A general concern about housing unaffordability and the need to both increase housing supply and ensure new housing won’t make neighbourhoods less affordable; and
  • Strong opinions both for and against Housing Choices options such as carriage homes and other infill development within existing single-family neighbourhoods. This suggests that different neighbourhoods may need different considerations and approaches during this phase of the SWHR process.

An infographic summarizing the feedback can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/swhr or the City’s public engagement website www.letstalkcoquitlam.ca/swhr.

SWHR Approach Adjusted Based on Feedback

The City has used the plentiful and varied feedback from Phase 1 to focus its direction and approach for upcoming phases of the SWHR, including: 

  • Developing preliminary land-use concepts for the three neighbourhood pockets with the greatest support (Whiting-Appian, Miller-Grant and Guilby-Grayson in the Burquitlam-Lougheed area) in Phase 2, and planning for further discussion about the approach for the three other pockets (Charland-Joyce, Blue Mountain-Quadling and Austin-Poirier);
  • Creating a more unique, neighbourhood-centred approach to planning for housing options and infill development during the latter phases of the review; 
  • Providing clear options for demonstrating overall opposition to development; and
  • Looking for tools or opportunities that would appeal to younger demographics to get them involved in the SWHR process.

Next Steps for the SWHR

In the coming weeks, the City will begin working on the next phases of the project. To sign up for updates or learn more about the project, visit www.coquitlam.ca/swhr and www.letstalkcoquitlam.ca/swhr.

Upcoming work during Phase 2 will also include development of a vision statement and series of guiding principles for development along major corridors, based on the feedback received.

Get City Updates Tailored to You

Get the City information you want using the customizable NotifyMe email subscription service on the City’s fresh new website. Subscribe for email or text alerts about only the topics that interest you, including current City projects and initiatives – such as the Southwest Housing Review, news updates, emergency alerts, bid opportunities, roadwork, children’s camps, City events, Council proceedings and more. Click www.coquitlam.ca/notifyme to set it up and manage your preferences.

Media contact:
Demian Rueter
Senior Planner
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3438
drueter@coquitlam.ca

Additional Info...
Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in City News

"We're hiring!" sign at City of Coquitlam job fair

We’re Hiring: Join Us at Coquitlam’s Recreation Job Fair

Posted on: February 28, 2024 | Last Modified on: July 7, 2023
Doggo posing for a picture whilst on leash.

Coquitlam Dogs: Train Your Human

Posted on: January 30, 2024 | Last Modified on: July 7, 2023
Two girls float in the pool on a noodle

Registration for Spring Recreation Programs starts January 30

Posted on: January 23, 2024 | Last Modified on: July 7, 2023
A yellow graphic that reads Public Service Advisory

Coquitlam Winter Weather Response

Posted on: January 17, 2024
2023_Snow_News-Flash_519_x_390px

Coquitlam Prepares for Next Snow Event

Posted on: January 16, 2024
2023_Extreme Cold_News-Flash_519_x_390px

Coquitlam Prepares for Winter Event

Posted on: January 11, 2024
Teddy bear getting mended

Free Repair Café Event in Coquitlam

Posted on: January 8, 2024
Patrons strolling around Lights at Lafarge.

Celebrate the Season at Jingle Bells Night

Posted on: December 13, 2023
Coquitlam Dam being built

Find Coquitlam History in Other Archives

Posted on: December 11, 2023
Public works vehicle prepped for winter weather

City Crews Prepare for Snow

Posted on: December 8, 2023
High-flowing river

Be Prepared: Heavy Rain in the Forecast

Posted on: December 4, 2023
Map of Foster Avenue between North Road and Whiting Way

Update on Incident at 500 Foster Avenue

Posted on: December 1, 2023
CFR Maltese and Christmas lights.

Have a Safe and Fun Winter Season

Posted on: November 30, 2023
Map of Foster Avenue between North Road and Whiting Way

Statement on Incident at 500 Foster Avenue

Posted on: November 30, 2023
Cyclists riding through City Centre Multi Modal Path and Intersection

Go by Bike this Fall in Coquitlam

Posted on: October 13, 2023
Child holding a blue shovel with snow

Volunteer as a Coquitlam Snow Angel

Posted on: October 10, 2023
Yellow background with exclamation mark and text that says PSA

Wind Warning in Effect

Posted on: September 25, 2023
Blue sign at park reading "Glen Park"

Help Shape the City’s Plans for Glen Park

Posted on: September 21, 2023
Three Indigenous people, two dressed in 'fancy' traditional costumes

Celebrate 2023 Culture Days in Coquitlam

Posted on: September 14, 2023
People standing in front of a sport organization's tent

Coquitlam Sports Fair Returns Aug. 19

Posted on: August 3, 2023
Canada Day -News Flash

Canada Day in Coquitlam

Posted on: June 7, 2023
City Hall Property Taxes

Coquitlam Announces New City Manager

Posted on: April 13, 2023
A woman and a man sit at a coffee table with a silver laptop, calculator and paperwork.

Avoid Late Fees on 2023 Utility Bills

Posted on: March 23, 2023