City Centre Area Plan Update

City Centre Area Plan (CCAP) Adopted

On Monday, November 16, 2020, Coquitlam Council approved the updated City Centre Area Plan (CCAP) as well as the related amendments to the Citywide Official Community Plan (CWOCP) and Zoning Bylaw, following an extensive consultation process that closely involved the general public, Advisory Committees and Boards, external partners and stakeholders.

The updated CCAP (“the Plan”) replaces the previous Area Plan for City Centre (adopted in 2008), and renews the vision for City Centre as the downtown and ‘heart’ of Coquitlam and northeast region by building on the concept of transit-oriented development, recognizing the importance of economic and cultural vibrancy, and affirming the area’s history as a family-friendly community. The Plan also further implements the vision and policies of the 2012 Transit-Oriented Development Strategy (TDS).

The Plan will guide the physical, social, environmental and economic development and evolution of City Centre in order to ensure a sustainable and measured approach to growth for the next 25 years.

Building off the successes of the past, the Plan identifies five new Big Moves. These Big Moves reflect the community’s aspirations for the future of City Centre and they articulate the vision and major policy directions of the Plan. They include:

  • Creating a Vibrant Downtown Core
  • Establishing a Strong Employment Base
  • Building a Family-Friendly Downtown
  • Enhancing Recreation and Cultural Amenities
  • Integrating and Connecting the Downtown
  1. Planning Process
  2. Background
  3. Related Documents
  4. Quick Links

The Plan was developed following a two-phase planning process, which began in the winter of 2017. The planning process included a series of successive building steps involving research and analysis work, and a professional peer review. Extensive engagement with the public, property owners and key stakeholders was also undertaken throughout the planning process to understand the needs, priorities and aspirations of the community. Engagement opportunities included public surveys, community information sessions, ‘Pop up’ kiosks at SkyTrain stations and Douglas College, information booths at City and industry events, and meetings with Advisory Committees and Boards, residential strata groups, property owners, external partners and stakeholders.

This layered, iterative approach created opportunities for Council and the community to provide input and direction at key milestones throughout the planning process.

CCAP Planning Process Timeline 


Phase 1

Late 2017 – Mid 2018
Rediscovering City Centre: Phase 1 investigated the existing context of the CCAP, including analyzing City Centre’s identity and character, and exploring early policy directions that strengthened and reflected City Centre’s identity.

Phase 2

Mid 2018 – Late 2020
Shaping the Future of City Centre: Phase 1 findings were synthesized into a draft CCAP containing a proposed land use concept, with associated policies and guidelines on transportation, parks and recreation, environment, utilities and urban design. A national planning firm undertook an objective, third-party professional peer review of the Plan which provided a fresh perspective with an understanding of global best practices. To support the Plan’s implementation, a Servicing Assessment was also prepared to provide a high level “snapshot” of estimated costs and proposed funding sources for needed servicing requirements.