July 18th, 2024 

As noted in previous updates, on July 8th, Council adopted proposed Transit-Oriented Area (TOA) designations and a parking update. 

Applicable SkyTrain stations covered under TOA designations include: 

• Braid 
• Lougheed Town Centre 
• Burquitlam 
• Moody Centre 
• Inlet Centre 
• Coquitlam Central 
• Lincoln 
• Lafarge Lake-Douglas 

More information can be found in the full report by City staff. 

June 6th, 2024

As mentioned in previous updates, at the Strategic Priorities Standing Committee on May 22nd, Council received a report for information outlining strategic directions for both the Transit-Oriented Area (TOA) and Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) legislation. Both projects aim to implement the new provincial legislation and align zoning regulations and OCP policy with the provincial frameworks for transit-oriented and small-scale development. 

The strategic directions for the TOA legislation include: 

• Rebuilding the Development Finance Framework: 
• Updating the City's Density Bonus (DB) regulations will involve amendments to medium- and high-density zones and will need to be coordinated with the creation of a new Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) program and the Rental Incentives Program Review (a Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) initiative). 
• Prioritizing Areas Already Planned for Growth: 
• Stage 1 of the project will prioritize areas planned for growth, including Planned TOAs and the adjacent shoulder areas. Stage 2 will focus on completing the Southwest Corridor Review (SCR). Finally, future stages will shift to a comprehensive review of land-use policy and servicing needs (i. e., parks, transportation and utilities) in unplanned TOAs. 

The strategic directions for the SSMUH legislation include: 

• Consolidating zones and uses:  
• Staff are exploring consolidating the 11 existing single-family zones and the RT-1 Infill Residential zone into two primary "small-scale residential" zones. Staff are also consolidating permitted small-scale uses (i.e. duplex, triplex, fourplex, and multiplex) and accessory residential uses (i. e. secondary suite, carriage house, and garden cottage) into "small-scale residential" and "accessory dwelling unit" uses, respectively. 
• Retain Single-Family Zones for Exempt lots:  
• Exempt lots include those located in TOAs, large-acreage, heritage-designated, and lots unconnected to water or sanitary sewers. 
• Alternate Small-Scale Zone 
• A third small-scale zone is proposed for lots designated in the OCP for higher-density uses (i.e. townhouse uses and above) and yet retain this existing single-family zoning, where higher-density uses may be more appropriate in the future, or where single-lot small-scale development may be challenging or problematic (e.g. where no lane access is available).  

On May 27th, Council authorized staff to apply to extend the compliance deadline for adoption of Zoning Bylaw amendments mandated by the provincial Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Legislation from June 30th, 2024 to June 30th, 2025. This direction intends to allow for ample time to address macro servicing and utility constraints associated with increased densities that are likely to result in risks to public health and safety.  

During the meeting, Council amended the recommendation outlining that a copy of the application also be sent to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, the Premier’s Office, Coquitlam’s Members of the Legislative Assembly, and the Union of BC Municipalities – in addition to the Ministry of Housing. 

More information can be found in the full staff report on the strategic directions and the SSMUH deadline extension request. 

May 23rd, 2024

At Council-in-Committee (CiC) on May 13th, Council received a report for information providing an update on the implementation of various aspects of the provincial legislation. Specifically, the update relates to aligning Transit-Oriented Areas (TOAs) and Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) policies with the requirements of the Province, while outlining the impact to the Southwest Housing Review. 

TOA Update 

Staff propose to adjust the existing land-use policy and zoning to align with provincial legislation. There are different planning approaches required for planned TOAs (areas where transit-oriented growth and development has been planned for), and unplanned TOAs (areas where medium to high-density growth and development has not been contemplated). Staff also propose to advance planning for TOA “shoulder areas” (areas adjacent to but not within TOAs) and along key Southwest corridors in a manner that complements the provincial TOA development framework.    

The project is proposed to be completed in two stages:   

• Stage 1 – Rebuilding the City’s development finance framework and ensuring policy alignment in Planned TOAs and removal of residential parking minimums within TOAs is set for June 30th, 2024. 
  • TOA Designation Bylaw and Residential Parking: The provincial deadline for the designation of TOAs and removal of residential parking minimums within TOAs is set as June 30th, 2024. 
  • Align planning framework for Planned TOAs: Amendments to the OCP and high-density zones in the Zoning Bylaw will be required to implement the mandated minimum densities and heights in TOAs. Changes to the high-density zones will involve updating the City's existing density bonus structure and will need to be coordinated with the development of the new Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs) program. 
  • Planned TOA Shoulder Areas: The review of shoulder areas adjacent to planned TOAs is intended to address disconnected land-use boundaries resulting from the prescribed density tiers and ensure appropriate height and density transitions to adjacent lower-density areas. 
• Stage 2 - Completing the Southwest Corridor Review and addressing unplanned TOAs and their shoulder areas. 
  • Southwest Corridor Review: In addition to shoulder areas, corridors provide opportunities to consider land-use and housing types that are no longer viable within TOAs. 
  • Unplanned TOAs and Shoulder Areas: A comprehensive review of land-use policy and servicing needs, including parks, utilities, and transportation access and circulation, is required to enable growth in unplanned TOAs. 

SSMUH 

Staff propose to enact zoning bylaw amendments in accordance with the provincial legislation and considering the Provincial Policy Manual & Site Standards: SSMUH. 

The project components are as follows: 

• Zoning Bylaw Update: Amendments to the Zoning Bylaw and the 11 one-family residential zones are required to implement the provincial legislation before June 30th, 2024.  
• Amenity and Servicing Impacts: Amendments to related bylaws and policies will be required to support the required zoning changes, including requirements for off-site services in the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw 
• OCP Update: Changes to land-use designations and associated policies will be required to support the new SSMUH zoning requirements. The deadline to align the OCP with the SSMUH zoning is December 31st, 2025. 

Policy direction for the TOA update and SSMUH Implementation will be discussed at the next Strategic Priorities Standing Committee workshop. This will be brought forward for individual projects in advance of the provincial deadlines.   

More information can be found in the full report by City staff.