Two large tracts of mountainside greenfield land within 10 minutes of SkyTrain are a rare enough find these days in Metro Vancouver.
Now consider the fact that the sites – totalling 3.86 hectares, or 9.53 acres – are pre-zoned for townhomes, fully serviced, have pre-paid Community Amenity Fees and are ready for a Development Permit Application.
“These opportunities just don’t come up that often,” said Curtis Scott, Coquitlam’s Manager of Land Development of two adjacent Smiling Creek townhouse sites that will soon be coming to market on Burke Mountain. “We’ve eliminated a lot of the risk by taking care of the rezoning. They’re development-ready.”
Photos: Burke Mountain townhouse development sites
Burke Mountain development site details
The two parcels are in the heart of Burke Mountain, a growth area in Northeast Coquitlam envisioned as a complete community, with upwards of 50,000 residents, a thriving commercial village area and abundant community and recreational amenities. Now home to about 13,000 people, the area is already in high demand for its proximity to urban services, sweeping views, extensive trail network and natural setting.
Video: Burke Mountain townhouse development site
Both development sites are zoned RT-2 Townhouse Residential and have a Conventional Townhomes land-use designation in the Official Community Plan:
- The north parcel, south of David Avenue at 1315 Riley St., is 1.69 hectares (4.17 acres) in size, with a conceptual plan showing 70 units with a mix of townhouses, duplexes and triplexes. It has an average slope of 16 per cent and is zoned for a maximum density of 0.9-1.1 FAR.
- The adjacent south parcel at 3515 Burke Village Prom. is 2.17 hectare (5.36 acres) in size, with a conceptual plan showing 96 units with a mix of townhouses, duplexes and triplexes. It has an average slope of 15 per cent and is zoned for a maximum density of 0.9-1.1 FAR.
Historically, development on Burke Mountain has largely been single-family oriented. In more recent years, townhouses have become an attractive option for Metro Vancouver residents looking for other housing options, and these two parcels in the Smiling Creek neighbourhood will be among the early waves of multi-family development coming to the heart of the area.
Neighbourhood amenities add to the attraction
Services in this area are growing too.
Residents will simply have to cross a street to enjoy a coffee at the future Discovery Centre, or to visit the 1.4 hectare (3.5-acre) Riley Park, opening this fall with an accessible playground, plazas, views and pathways.
A five-minute walk along a scenic footpath will bring residents to Burke Mountain Village, a 15.8-hectare (39-acre) village that will offer 120,000 square feet of commercial space – including a grocery store – along with a public plaza, state-of-the-art recreation centre and more than 2,000 residential units. Development of the village (formerly known as the Partington Creek Neighbourhood Centre) is anticipated to begin within the next several years.
Renderings: Burke Mountain Village
Also within easy reach of the two properties are 17-plus kilometres of connected trails, an active mountain biking community, two existing and two future elementary schools, a future middle/secondary school, 72.8 hectares (180 acres) of existing parks and 9.3 hectares (23 acres) of future parks.
Nearby David Avenue, equipped with bike lanes, will bring quick connections to urban Coquitlam City Centre, SkyTrain, West Coast Express, and other points east and west.
Burke Mountain: Poised for the future
European settlement began on Burke Mountain more than 150 years ago, with the more recent planning and development occurring over the last couple of decades. Coquitlam has reaffirmed and fine-tuned its vision for the area over the years in various plans, including the 2017 Burke Mountain Village master plan in effect today. Development will play a key role in helping Coquitlam fulfill its obligation to the Regional Growth Strategy adopted by all Metro Vancouver cities.
Scott noted that while the scale of the greenfield sites provides an opportunity for development phasing, Coquitlam is not wavering from its long-term vision for Burke Mountain and is actively developing its roadways, parks and services. The City is invested in the area’s success, as the primary land owner and developer for Burke Mountain Village, and owner of other future development sites nearby.
“We’re moving forward with building that community,” Scott said. “The City is committed to this project. Burke Mountain is always going to be an area where people want to live.”
The formal Request for Offer for the two properties will be coming to market soon.
Project information can be found at www.coquitlam.ca/landsales
- Media Release: City Land Sale Key to Achieving Burke Mountain Vision
