A planned affordable rental project in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, designed to support people with mental illness, is currently on hold. The city’s mayor and council have raised concerns about parking space requirements and lease terms, which have stalled the development’s progress.
The proposal by B.C. Housing aims to build a 74-unit apartment complex at 2365 and 2371 Kelly Avenue. However, it includes only 18 parking spots, well below the city’s parking bylaw that requires one space per rental unit.
Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West expressed his concerns about the shortage of parking spaces. He noted that the city rules clearly require one parking space for every rental unit in residential developments.
B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said he was “disappointed but not surprised” that the project is delayed due to these issues. Mayor West added that the city would likely back the project if longer lease agreements were offered to tenants.
The province has requested the city to waive the parking in-lieu fee, which lets developers pay the city instead of providing enough off-street parking. This fee would total roughly $2.5 million for the project.
West criticized the request, saying, “You’re asking to be forgiven a $2.5 million payment to the city. The least you can do is provide housing security for those people for a much longer term, like 20 or 30 years.”
Currently, the agreement with the building’s operator, New View Society, guarantees housing for tenants for only five years. West insists this period is too short for affordable housing projects that serve vulnerable groups.
At a city council meeting on June 24, the proposal was sent back to B.C. Housing. The council asked for more details on parking plans and what will happen if the current operator is replaced.
B.C. Housing responded that it typically signs three- to five-year agreements with operators, which can be renewed as needed.
The affordable rental project’s future now depends on further talks between B.C. Housing and the city. Both sides must resolve parking and lease term issues before construction can move forward.
