A public hearing on Feb. 24 will provide a final chance to comment on how Burquitlam’s Oakdale neighbourhood will develop over the next 25 years.
COQUITLAM, B.C., Feb. 11, 2020 – A public hearing on Feb. 24 will provide a final chance to comment on how Burquitlam’s Oakdale neighbourhood will develop over the next 25 years.
Last week, Council gave first reading to associated zoning and official community plan bylaw amendments, referring the proposed Oakdale Land Use Designation Update (OLUDU) to public hearing on Feb. 24. Further details on the proposed amendments are available at www.coquitlam.ca/oakdale.
How To Provide Input
Those wishing to provide comments on the proposed amendments may do so in one of two ways:
- Appear in person to speak at the public hearing on Monday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at Coquitlam City Hall (3000 Guildford Way); or
- Submit written comments to the City Clerk’s Office (Coquitlam City Hall, 3000 Guildford Way, Coquitlam, B.C. V3B 7N2) prior to noon on Monday, Feb. 24.
For more information on speaking at the public hearing or how to submit written comments, visit www.coquitlam.ca/publichearing, or call the City Clerk’s Office at 604-927-3010.
Consultation Led to a Refined Land-Use Concept
Work on the OLUDU has involved extensive public consultation to ensure any proposed changes fit the vision of both neighbourhood residents and stakeholders.
Since early 2018, the City has been working on an update of the Burquitlam-Lougheed Neighbourhood Plan (BLNP) for Oakdale, a primarily single-family neighbourhood located northwest of Clarke Road and Como Lake Avenue. The Oakdale neighbourhood was previously designated as a Future Planning Area when the BLNP was adopted in 2017, as consensus could not be reached among stakeholders at that time.
The first phase of consultation in 2018 focused on neighbourhood values, residents’ future visions of their neighbourhood, and engagement with the Oakdale Neighbourhood Association. The second phase in fall 2019 reached out to the broader community and included an online survey, community information and direct engagement with stakeholders.
Background and technical analysis has also been conducted, including:
- analysis of market demand and development capacity;
- review of the transportation network;
- assessment of park and amenity needs; and
- consideration of park acquisition funding.
The OLUDU’s refined land use concept builds on the preferred concept presented to Council-in-Committee in November, and reflects input from Council and stakeholder feedback from earlier consultation phases, along with background and technical analysis.
The most significant proposed change from November, based on a neighbourhood petition, was to designate townhouses between Nicola and Thompson avenues instead of lower-density attached residential housing, to ensure consistent streetscape upgrades on Thompson Avenue.
The refined concept also incorporates future greenway and cycling routes, including five additional minor nodes along the greenway network for public open spaces.
Planning Oakdale’s Future
The OLUDU envisions Oakdale as a mainly residential neighbourhood, with a general transition from high-density (apartment buildings) nearer Burquitlam SkyTrain station to low-density (single-family homes) in the north.
Future market demand in the area is anticipated at about 3,300 housing units of varying types by 2041, with a potential long-range capacity of about 6,100 units. Consistent with BLNP policies, new development is expected to display architectural excellence, be walkable, supports transit, and fit with the neighbourhood and its character.
For more information and to view staff reports, visit www.coquitlam.ca/oakdale.