Suburban Updates - All Other Metro Vancouver Municipalities - Page 85

officedweller · #**1681** Posted **Mar 25, 2011, 10:44 PM**

I meant another one by Polygon - the same way that Jewel had a Phase I and a Phase II (Phase II not being shown on the render).
It would be awfully "towers in the park" if there was only one tower on that site.

SpikePhanta · #**1682** Posted **Mar 26, 2011, 1:09 AM**

It seems like a large lot because there are a few very garbage ridden patches that belong to Bonsor.

Spork · #**1683** Posted **Mar 26, 2011, 6:20 AM**

Somebody needs to outlaw nighttime shots of condos. Totally misleading, kinda like members of the opposite sex in night clubs.

Metro-One · #**1684** Posted **Mar 26, 2011, 6:23 AM**

and only posting a single tiny low ress image oft hat render is like having more than a few drinks at that nightclub as well, hehe.

GeeCee · #**1685** Posted **Mar 26, 2011, 9:39 PM**

The Gateway project at BCIT is nearly complete, it looks like: http://www.bcit.ca/gateway/

SpongeG · #**1686** Posted **Mar 26, 2011, 9:45 PM**

I wish BCIT would do something with their NW corner its so horrible could be so much more - underground parking and a plaza if nothing would be a vast improvement

officedweller · #**1687** Posted **Apr 1, 2011, 10:15 PM**

Saw an ad in the paper for this Coquitlam tower (second tower of the M complex) - is that a small office tower to the right (akin to Commerce @ Citi?)

http://liveatmtwo.com/

SpongeG · #**1688** Posted **Apr 2, 2011, 2:08 AM**

looks like it - its almost kitty corner to the other office building on that street - that office building is home to the Canada services office - looks good - finally will feel more complete that lot is just so horrible now

SpongeG · #**1689** Posted **Apr 2, 2011, 2:20 AM**

Residents invited to help shape Braid SkyTrain site at open house Tuesday

By Grant Granger - New Westminster News Leader
Published: March 31, 2011 9:00 AM
Updated: March 31, 2011 9:58 AM

Sapperton residents are being offered an opportunity to shape the vision of a project on vacant and unused land next to the Braid SkyTrain Station in New Westminster.

Bentall Kennedy, owners of the 38-acre site that currently has a vacant lot and warehouse/distribution facility on it, will hold an open house on Tuesday, April 5, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Knox Presbyterian Church, 403 East Columbia St.

They have the zoning in place and hope to soon get approval for construction of two office buildings on the site which will take up approximately eight acres on the southwest portion of the property.

The proposed master plan for the remaining portion would require an amendment to the city’s Official Community Plan, the development of design guidelines and a future rezoning.

This would require an “extensive public review process,” a report to city council on March 7 stated, which is why consultants Brook Pooni Associates have organized Tuesday’s meeting.

...

http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/newwestminsternewsleader/news/118998414.html

Metro-One · #**1690** Posted **Apr 2, 2011, 5:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by officedweller

Saw an ad in the paper for this Coquitlam tower (second tower of the M complex) - is that a small office tower to the right (akin to Commerce @ Citi?)

http://liveatmtwo.com/

Nice! Is that one of the towers currently u/c in Coquitlam or a proposal?

I am often amazed with how much that is currently going on in downtown Coquitlam how it gets so little attention. There are 4 / 5 story wood frame buildings in Surrey that get their own thread, but a 30+ story tower in Coquitlam with start construction without even hearing a peep about it.

jlousa · #**1691** Posted **Apr 2, 2011, 5:52 AM**

I agree Metro, if you are interested perhaps you can provide details about them? I know you live closer then most of the forumers to that area. I do my best with the Vancouver proposals, but to be honest it takes a lot of time and effort that I can't keep the suburban stuff up to date. If anyone has the details please help yourself or pm myself and I can set up a thread for them. Also if members could take a couple of minutes and work thru the Suburban thread as I know there are projects in need of updating.

Metro-One · #**1692** Posted **Apr 2, 2011, 6:11 AM**

I actually may have some time this upcoming week (most likely Wednesday) to do some snooping there. The last time I went to downtown Coquitlam (for T&T

) I was blown away with all of the construction. They are really gearing up for the Evergreen Line.

dleung · #**1693** Posted **Apr 2, 2011, 4:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metro-One

There are 4 / 5 story wood frame buildings in Surrey that get their own thread...

I never quite understood that...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

Residents invited to help shape Braid SkyTrain site at open house Tuesday

Yay, design by committee!

Lastly, the 80's were calling and they want their pomo doodads back. They still haven't heard back from Decourize in Surrey.

SpongeG · #**1694** Posted **Apr 6, 2011, 10:24 PM**

Plan adopted to modernize Austin Heights — at last

Austin Heights, looking west.
TRI-city newS FILE PHOTO

By Janis Warren - The Tri-City News
Published: April 05, 2011 11:00 AM
Updated: April 05, 2011 8:23 PM

Plans for the first highrise in the soon-to-be-redeveloped Austin Heights neighbourhood in Coquitlam are already underway with the developer organizing an open house for later this month.

Houtan Rafii, vice president of residential development with the Beedie Group, said his company will host the public consultation for its proposed 24-storey tower at Blue Mountain Street and Austin Avenue. The meeting is expected to take place at the Royal Canadian Legion or at the Vancouver Golf Club within the next two weeks.

The city mandated the event "because the building is of an iconic nature," Rafii told The Tri-City News, but "we have been pretty intimate with the public response to date." (A formal application is expected to go before city council in the next month or so.)

The height of Beedie's building — as well as for other towers envisioned for Austin Heights — was a concern raised last week during a public hearing.

Still, on Monday, city council whole-heartedly adopted the new neighbourhood plan for the aging area, where the city plans to add 5,000 more residents in another 2,500 homes between Blue Mountain to Linton streets and Foster to Rochester avenues.

"It feels good to have the plan complete, and now we can implement it," said Erin Davidson, executive director of the Austin Heights Business Improvement Association, which urged area business owners and residents to take part in the neighbourhood plan process and give feedback to city staff.

She said the BIA is working on bringing pride back to Austin Heights, with its first-ever Daisy Day festival — harking back to Austin's golden era of the 1950's and 60's — happening on June 25 that will include a pancake breakfast and entertainment.

Coun. Doug Macdonell, who grew up in Austin Heights and attended Austin Heights elementary, said the area needs to be modernized. "It's come to a time now where it's pretty tired," he said, adding, "We need the density to rehabilitate this area and make it a thriving community again."

Coun. Neal Nicholson called Austin Heights "the vibrant, new centre of Coquitlam."

"It's been a long time coming to redevelop the Austin Heights area," said Coun. Mae Reid, who chairs the city's land use committee. "It's not going to happen all at once but it will slowly start."

...

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/119266444.html

SpongeG · #**1695** Posted **Apr 6, 2011, 10:24 PM**

Austin Heights plan gets green light

BY JOHN KURUCZ, COQUITLAM NOW APRIL 5, 2011

Coquitlam council has unanimously passed the city's Austin Heights neighbourhood plan, a wide-reaching planning document that covers everything from walkability and transit to servicing requirements and the provision of different types of housing choices.

Much of Monday's discussion saw councillors thank planning staff and area residents for their input on the plan, but a fair amount of time was also devoted to trying to quash fears.

Among the principal concerns, particularly at last week's public hearing, was the prospect of highrises being built in the various neighbourhoods.

"I've heard some concerns about the highrises and about the density," said Coun. Doug Macdonell. "However, we need the density to rehabilitate this area and make it a thriving community again. There's always some reluctance and resistance to change, but I'm very excited about what's going to take place here over the next 10 to 15 years."

To alleviate those concerns, many council members were quick to point out that any application to build highrise towers within the area would be subject to a public hearing process.

"Like other councillors, I've heard people have some reservations about how the plan will roll out over time, but those will come to public hearing in their own right," said Coun. Neal Nicholson. "I'll look forward to hearing from people at that time, but for now, we have a plan and a place to go forward in redeveloping Austin Heights into the vibrant, new centre of Coquitlam."

Talk of the neighbourhood plan had been circulated for years before the work began in 2008, and dozens of stakeholder meetings, open houses and public feedback opportunities have ensued.

The entire exercise is meant to accommodate an anticipated 5,000 new residents and 50,000 additional feet of floor space over the span of the next two decades. The details of the plan set out proposed land-use strategies and how to incorporate a high-density, mixed-use commercial core with the smaller-scale housing choices.

"This will provide guidelines for us that will address many of the concerns that both business and citizens have had in that area for quite some time," said Coun. Linda Reimer.

"The public has told me about the need for revitalization and their need for this plan," added Coun. Brent Asmundson.

...

Read more: http://www.thenownews.com/news/Austin+He...n+light/4567913/story.html#ixzz1ImhdFYf9

officedweller · #**1696** Posted **Apr 6, 2011, 10:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Nice! Is that one of the towers currently u/c in Coquitlam or a proposal?

I think Tower One was sold some time ago so it must be under construction. Tower Two is being sold now.

SpongeG · #**1697** Posted **Apr 8, 2011, 1:42 AM**

Frustration builds over six-storey plan

Sandy Longridge talks to development consultant Robert Wilson during an open house Tuesday on the redevelopment of the White Rock Muffler site.
Brian Giebelhaus photo

By Tracy Holmes - Peace Arch News
Published: April 07, 2011 4:00 PM
Updated: April 07, 2011 4:55 PM

Anger, irritation and curiosity were among emotions that swirled around the gallery at White Rock Community Centre this week, as dozens turned out to view concept plans for the site currently home to White Rock Mufflers.

As residents – including immediate neighbours of – explored more than 20 storyboards outlining the Marine Drive property’s history, why development is being considered and elements of the six-storey project that may be built there, many who voiced opposition said their beef isn’t with the fact the site may be developed.

What they aren’t happy about is the developer’s desire to build beyond what current zoning allows.

“I’m not opposed to development – if they want to do what the rest of us did and stick to the three storeys,” said Shawn Boyce, a realtor who built near Oxford Street and Roper Avenue a year ago.

Boyce said the city wouldn’t entertain any leeway to the zoning restrictions when her home was being built, and shouldn’t for this project either.

“How arrogant is it to ask for six?” she fumed. “We were shot to the inch. Stick to the zoning.”

According to information presented Tuesday evening, responses to three options for the site – gathered at a previous public meeting Jan. 31 – led proponents to conceive a six-storey, terraced project with 125 to 140 condominiums and 6,500 square feet of retail space. The project is proposed to spread beyond the muffler-shop site to two additional single-family lots on Buena Vista Avenue.

To proceed, the city’s Official Community Plan would have to be amended to consolidate the lots, and rezoning would be needed to accommodate the additional height.

While proponents insist the project – with a combined construction and land value of $40 million – would neither impact views nor property values, residents who live on Buena Vista directly behind the site disagree.

Six storeys “would delete our view,” said Hollie Whitehead, noting residents are banding together to fight the project.

Whatever is built should be “what the community wants,” within current zoning and not dictated by a developer, she said.

Neighbour Doug Hart agreed.

“Just because you have deep pockets doesn’t mean you can change the rules,” Hart said.

Hart was particularly offended by a statement on one storyboard that said it is important to the site owners, who have paid high taxes and are planning for retirement, to “recoup as much as they can from the sale of this site.”

“That’s ridiculous; that’s asinine,” Hart said.

Not all who attended Tuesday were upset by what they saw.

...

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/119440094.html

SpongeG · #**1698** Posted **Apr 13, 2011, 12:34 AM**

i drove past this area on monday and noticed its a big hole in the ground now - sign said it was going to be a community swimming pool

this is what used to be there...

Quote:

The Edmonds Aquatic and Community Centre, will be a two storey approximately 85,000 square foot building with three key faces: Edmonds Street, Humphries Street and Richmond Park. The use of expressive shapes, bright, welcoming entrances and creative exterior details work toward generating awareness of the facility while ensuring the retail continuity and character of Edmonds Street.

http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/cityhall/d...unity_Centre/Pool___Centre_Features.html

SpikePhanta · #**1699** Posted **Apr 13, 2011, 3:04 AM**

Burnaby city council is trying to emulate success with metrotown, adding a new swimming pool and library to the area, I can't wait for Edmonds to continue this clean up of the neighbourhood.
The swimming pool will be similar to Eileen Daily.

Millennium2002 · #**1700** Posted **Apr 13, 2011, 6:58 AM**

Hmm... on the topic of Burnaby's recreation facilities, does anybody know why they built Bonsor "backwards"? Or more specifically, why they built the entrance facing the park and in the middle of a parking lot, rather than facing the street and the mall? =S I assume maybe it was built before SkyTrain's time but I really have no idea... =S