Residents in a quiet Coquitlam neighborhood are voicing frustration over a major redevelopment plan that is set to move ahead without a public hearing. The proposal, set for final council review on July 29, calls for three six-storey rental buildings near Roy Stibbs Elementary School.
The affected area consists of single-family homes located close to the Lougheed SkyTrain Station. It falls under British Columbia’s new Transit-Oriented Development Area (TODA) rules, which support higher-density housing near transit lines.
The redevelopment, led by Anthem Properties, would see existing homes demolished to make way for a total of 446 rental units. Many locals say they were caught off guard by how quickly and quietly the changes were approved.
Janet Krgovich, who lives in the neighborhood, said residents have struggled to make sense of the shifting land-use rules. “It started as a townhouse plan. But then, without warning, it became medium-density housing,” she explained.
Krgovich and others believed the city’s previous Burquitlam-Lougheed Neighborhood Plan would guide gradual growth, moving from taller buildings near transit toward smaller homes. Instead, they say land designations changed without warning and with no opportunity for public feedback.
Coquitlam’s city council is scheduled to give first, second, and third readings of the proposal on the same night. In earlier processes, these readings would be spread out, with time for a public hearing in between. However, new provincial housing laws passed during the COVID-19 pandemic now ban public hearings for developments already in line with city plans.
“We used to send notices and invite the public in,” said Councillor Teri Towner. “People could come and speak, ask questions, and share concerns. Now, we do it all in one night, with no chance for residents to give input.”
The city’s planning department is aware of the community backlash. Andrew Merrill, general manager of planning and development, stated that the city understands residents’ concerns. He explained that developers have met with neighbors multiple times.
“Unfortunately, many of the concerns raised come from the changes brought by provincial legislation,” Merrill noted.
He referred to Bill 44, passed in 2023, which removed the requirement for public hearings on projects that align with a city’s Official Community Plan (OCP). Merrill emphasized that the land was already designated for medium-density apartments up to eight storeys tall during a 2022 OCP update, which included broad community consultation.
The current proposal does not exceed that density, and Anthem Properties is not asking for additional height, which it could under another law, Bill 47. Instead, the company is planning lower buildings than the maximum allowed, remaining within current zoning.
Despite those technical details, residents remain unhappy. They feel the area is not suited for large-scale rentals and worry about the loss of community character.
“We just want housing that works for families,” Krgovich said. “We need homes where families with two kids can grow, and seniors can access their homes easily.”
She added that the plan should include more ground-level homes or townhouses, not just mid-rise apartments.
Residents argue that livability should be the top priority, not just density targets. They are urging council members to rethink the plan and ask the province to restore public consultation rights.
As it stands, the project is expected to pass on July 29, barring major changes. Many neighbors say they are not against development but want to be heard in the process.
