Two heritage homes in southern Coquitlam that are poised to be saved may be among the last to be spared of the wrecking ball, Mayor Richard Stewart warned last week.
The mayor made the comments at the Jan. 13 council meeting while discussing the “unintended consequences” of Bill 44, the provincial government’s new housing legislation that allows property owners to put up to four units on their lot.
“The province says we don’t get to save anymore,” Stewart alleged, noting funding tools like the density bonus program that incentivized developers are now gone or uncertain.
Last Monday, council unanimously gave first reading to two Heritage Revitalization Agreement bylaws and sent the applications to a public hearing on Monday, Jan. 27. The meeting takes place at 7 p.m. at Coquitlam City Hall (3000 Guildford Way).
The first proposal is from CityState Consulting Group, where owners Fred Soofi — a well-known heritage home protector in the Tri-Cities — and Mary Anne McNaughton are asking to designate the former Baumer residence at 910 Quadling Ave. as a heritage asset, with a secondary suite, as well as build a triplex.
Constructed in 1927, the home is a one-and-a-half storey structure that’s been relatively untouched over the years. In the Maillardville Heritage Inventory, it’s listed as a “secondary” building.
The Craftsman-style house was constructed by one of Maillardville’s early millwrights, Arthur Baumer, who likely used lumber from the nearby Fraser Mills sawmill. His name is etched into the concrete at the back of the building.
Later, the home was rented by the Finnigan family whose daughter, Norma, drew inspiration for her Sophie book series from her experiences as a new Coquitlam resident.
Stewart said he’s toured the Quadling home, which the owner has used to accommodate a refugee family from Ukraine.
Jaime Boan, Coquitlam’s general manager of engineering and public works, told council the proposed development would also see the back lane upgraded, if the plan is approved.
“This is a challenging time to preserve heritage homes,” said Coun. Craig Hodge, noting the province’s pressure for municipalities to densify and provide more housing. “This home has important history in our city.”
If OK’d following the public hearing, the proposal is expected to bring in $124,000 in development cost charges and $30,000 in community amenity contributions for the city.
Rochester pre-war house
Meanwhile, council also gave first bylaw reading to a Heritage Revitalization Agreement for a older home about two blocks away, at 651 Rochester Ave., in Coquitlam.
A shell company, on behalf of itself and another numbered company, plans to conserve and relocate the former Goddard House and build six more homes, and two secondary suites, on the site.
As a result, there would be nine homes in four buildings, if endorsed by council following the public hearing.
First owned by Joseph and Helen Goddard, the heritage house is one-and-a-half storeys built around 1939 or ’40. And as with the Quadling property, there haven’t been any obvious changes to the home since it went up pre-Second World War.
If OK’d, the development would lose 17 trees and be replaced by three trees, Coun. Matt Djonlic noted, while Coun. Robert Mazzarolo pointed out the potential parking challenges for the future residents.
However, Stewart said parking will be a nightmare in all neighbourhoods under the new provincial housing mandates, which call for no parking stalls in new buildings close to public transit.
That will mean residents will have to park on the street, he warned.
“This is predictable stuff,” Stewart cautioned. “It shouldn’t come to anyone as a surprise when we have people sue each other over parking in front of their homes.”
If greenlighted, the Rochester bid will generate for the city $249,000 in development cost charges and $66,700 in community amenity contributions.
📣 Got an opinion on this story or any others in the Tri-Cities? Send us a letter or email your thoughts or story tips to [email protected].
📲 Want to stay updated on Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra news? Sign up for our free daily newsletter.
💬 Words missing in an article? Your adblocker might be preventing hyperlinked text from appearing.
