Coquitlam’s heritage planning program seeks to recognize the diverse cultural histories that come together in this City through the preservation and interpretation of tangible and intangible heritage aspects. The notion of heritage extends beyond individual buildings, to include overall streetscapes and neighbourhoods, as well as artifacts and archeology.
Maintaining and caring for our City’s heritage brings many benefits:
- Enhancing the community’s distinct identity and pride through the recognition of its cultural roots
- Providing a sense of continuity between the past, present and future
- Demonstrating a commitment to the general principle of sustainability
Heritage Tools
The City has a variety of connected tools to support, incentivize, and document heritage conservation, including:
Heritage Revitalization Agreements (HRAs)
- A Heritage Revitalization Agreement (HRA) is a formal agreement between a property owner and the City that protects a heritage building while allowing site-specific redevelopment, including potential variations to zoning, land use, and density, subject to Council approval. Learn more about HRAs.
Heritage designations
- A Heritage designation is a municipal bylaw adopted under the Local Government Act that gives legal protection to a building or site recognized for its heritage value. Designation regulates alterations, relocation, or demolition to ensure key heritage features are preserved. Heritage designations in Coquitlam are primarily associated with Heritage Revitalization Agreements, although some properties have been designated based on their inclusion on the Community Heritage Register.
The Community Heritage Register
- Placement on the heritage register requires an evaluation of the building, property or site, and a review of historic records.
- The register can be used to help increase public awareness of the existence and value of local heritage resources, which may result in more of these buildings being retained and rehabilitated by property owners.
The Maillardville Heritage Inventory
- The City keeps an inventory that informs potential heritage across the City. The Maillardville Heritage Inventory is a Council-adopted, formal list of buildings, properties, and sites in Maillardville with qualities or characteristics that contribute to the city’s heritage. On July 30, 2007, City Council adopted a revised Maillardville Heritage Inventory based on an earlier 1989 civic heritage inventory. The revision lists all of the remaining buildings and properties that were included in the 1986 heritage inventory.
Additional Information
Records that document the history of the city, including records of City government such as Council Minutes, Bylaws, and correspondence may be available from the City Clerk’s Office: Visit the City of Coquitlam Archives, email us, or call 604-927-3900.