In order to comply with Provincial legislation, the City of Coquitlam is initiating a rezoning process for the Meadowbrook neighbourhood.
COQUITLAM, B.C., Dec. 6, 2021 – In order to comply with Provincial legislation, the City of Coquitlam is initiating a rezoning process for the Meadowbrook neighbourhood.
The Meadowbrook area (south of Dewdney Trunk Road to Greene Street between Irvine Street and east of Cherrybrook Place) is currently governed by a Land Use Contract (LUC). Through changes to the Local Government Act, the Provincial government has legislated that all LUCs in B.C. must end by June 30, 2024. This means the City of Coquitlam must have new zoning regulations in place by June 30, 2022.
The goals of the new zoning are to:
- Protect existing uses and character of the neighbourhood by mirroring, as closely as possible, what has been allowed on a property through the LUC.
- Ease the renovation and permitting process.
- Make sure any new development is up to current standards and regulations.
- Meadowbrook Residents Can Get Involved
City staff will be in contact with Meadowbrook residents throughout the rezoning process. Starting today, residents can also visit letstalkcoquitlam.ca/meadowbrook to:
- Learn more about the project, including frequently asked questions
- Sign up to receive email updates about the project
- Ask City staff questions
More opportunities for input will be provided during the rezoning phase of the project, for example through a Public Hearing, which is anticipated to take place in spring 2022. All residents and owners in the Meadowbrook LUC area will receive notification about the Public Hearing by mail.
About Land Use Contracts
Zoning is the main tool used by municipalities to control development and to shape the city. Zoning outlines how a property may be used and sets the general rules (e.g. size, height, location) for buildings and development on a property. Instead of zoning, a Land Use Contract (LUC) regulates all properties within a specific boundary area.
LUCs were popular in the 1970s as a form of site-specific, contractual arrangements between local governments and landowners. However, LUCs are very prescriptive and hard to modify, which makes it challenging for both property owners and the City to make even simple changes to properties. Because these contracts are on a property’s title, there is little opportunity for a municipality to review and update them to better reflect changing municipal context, land use patterns or policies. Meadowbrook is the last remaining LUC in Coquitlam.
Media contact:
Genevieve Bucher
Director, Community Planning
604-927-3490
gbucher@coquitlam.ca