The B.C. government has enacted legislation that impacts how Coquitlam plans for growth in areas around SkyTrain stations referred to as ‘Transit-Oriented Areas’.
Affected Areas in Coquitlam
The legislation applies to the following eight SkyTrain stations:
Key Changes in Transit-Oriented Areas
- Areas within 800 metres of SkyTrain stations are designated as Transit-Oriented Areas
- Minimum allowable building heights and densities are set by the Province
- Minimum residential parking requirements have been removed, except for those for individuals with disabilities
Planning for Growth in Nearby Areas – Southwest Shoulders and Corridors
The City of Coquitlam is updating land use plans in Coquitlam to guide growth in areas just outside provincially designated Transit-Oriented Areas (TOAs) and along key corridors such as Austin and Como Lake Avenues. This work supports the second stage of the Transit-Oriented Areas Update and builds on provincial housing legislation introduced in 2023.
We’re looking at how to:
- Create smoother transitions in building heights and densities near SkyTrain stations
- Maintain housing choice, including townhouses
- Expand access to parks, shops and services
- Plan for future transportation improvements
About the Southwest Shoulders and Corridors
Southwest Shoulders are located at the edges of the Burquitlam and Lougheed SkyTrain Station Transit-Oriented Areas. Provincial regulations for Transit-Oriented Areas led to irregular boundaries and a reduction in areas previously planned for townhousing. Planning for the Shoulder areas is intended to help restore housing choice and create more gradual transitions between higher-density Transit-Oriented Areas and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Corridors include Austin and Como Lake Avenues. These areas were previously studied in the Southwest Housing Review and are now being integrated into a broader planning framework focused on complete communities and sustainable transportation.
View the Transit-Oriented Areas and proposed land use changes for Southwest Coquitlam in the map below. For information about the designations, review the Land Use Key (PDF) and learn more about the project by reading the Project Backgrounder (PDF).
To view the proposed changes for the Shoulders and Corridors, toggle to that map using the “Shoulder and Corridor” button at the top right.
